Family Court Records in Monmouth County

Monmouth County family court records are managed at the County Courthouse in Freehold. The Superior Court, Family Division processes divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile, guardianship, adoption, and paternity cases. Monmouth County is part of Vicinage 9, which it shares with Ocean County. The courthouse at 71 Monument Park in Freehold serves all municipalities in the county. You can search for family court records online or visit the clerk in person to get copies and ask questions about your case.

Monmouth County Court Family Division

The Monmouth County Courthouse sits at 71 Monument Park in Freehold. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1252, Freehold, NJ 07728. The Family Division handles all family court filings for the county. This includes new case filings, motions, hearings, and records requests. Every town in Monmouth County sends its family cases here.

The main phone for the Monmouth County Vicinage is 732-358-8700. The Family Division Reception is at extension 87160. The Family Division main line is extension 87908. Children in Court uses extension 87220. Domestic violence is at extension 87210. You can also email MonCivRecReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov for civil record requests in Monmouth County. Vicinage 9 is shared with Ocean County, but each county runs its own courthouse and Family Division.

The Vicinage page has contact numbers, hours, and directions for the Monmouth County courthouse.

How to Search Monmouth County Records

Use the eCourts system to search for Monmouth County family court records online at no charge. The tool lets you look up case jackets by party name or docket number. Basic case details are free. Full document copies require a formal request and fee.

Monmouth County uses county code 13 in docket numbers. A divorce case shows as FM-13 followed by the case and year numbers. Non-dissolution cases are FD-13. Domestic violence cases are FV-13. Call 609-421-6100 if you need help finding your docket number for a Monmouth County case.

In-person searches are available at the Freehold courthouse. Bring your ID. The clerk can search by name or docket number. You can review files and request copies the same day. OPRA requests for Monmouth County records can go through the court or the Government Records Council.

Monmouth County Family Case Types

Divorce and dissolution cases are the most commonly requested family court records in Monmouth County. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, you can file for divorce on fault or no-fault grounds in New Jersey. The residency requirement under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10 is 12 months for no-fault filings.

Custody and parenting time records include detailed schedules, evaluations, and court orders. Child support files track payment amounts and modifications. For support questions in Monmouth County, call 1-877-655-4371. These records are part of the FD docket.

Other case types in Monmouth County include:

• Domestic violence restraining orders (FV)
• Juvenile delinquency cases
• Child abuse and neglect (Children in Court)
• Guardianship proceedings
• Adoption filings
• Paternity actions

Domestic violence records are not public under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33. Juvenile records are confidential under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60. Adoption records are sealed under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52.

Note: Monmouth County shares Vicinage 9 with Ocean County, but each county keeps its own records at its own courthouse.

Court Fees in Monmouth County

Monmouth County charges standard New Jersey fees for family court cases. A divorce complaint costs $300 to file. The pro se surcharge is $25. Motions cost $15. Post-judgment motions are $30. Appeals are $200. Confirm all fees with the clerk before filing in Monmouth County.

Plain copies of court records cost $0.05 per letter-size page. Certified copies are $15 per document, plus $10 for the Seal of the Court. A certified copy of a final judgment of divorce is $25 for the first copy, $2 for each extra. A Certificate of Divorce is $10. An exemplified copy costs $50 plus page charges. Pay by check or money order to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey."

Public Access to Monmouth County Files

Family court records in Monmouth County are generally public under OPRA (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1). Court Rule 1:38 governs exceptions. Of the 38 listed exceptions, 30 relate to family and criminal matters. You do not need to be a party to request public records from Monmouth County.

Divorce documents are only given to a party or attorney of record. Others must get a court order. Confidential records in Monmouth County include domestic violence files, juvenile records, adoption records, confidential litigant sheets, and medical or psychological reports in custody disputes.

Getting Copies of Monmouth County Records

Monmouth County has an archive year of 2009. This means cases from 2009 and earlier are stored at the Records Imaging Center (RIC) in Trenton. Cases filed after 2009 are still at the Family Division in Freehold. For open cases, visit the courthouse directly.

For archived records, submit the Records Request Form (CN 10200) to the Superior Court Clerk's Office at P.O. Box 967, Trenton, NJ 08625-0967. Email SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov or MonCivRecReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov for questions. The RIC does not accept walk-in visitors. Allow extra time for off-site retrieval.

The Monmouth County Clerk handles marriage licenses, deeds, and other records that may relate to family court cases.

The Clerk site has forms, fees, and contact details for Monmouth County.

The Monmouth County government portal provides links to all county departments and services.

This portal connects to offices that handle records across Monmouth County.

Note: Monmouth County keeps more recent records locally than many other counties, since only pre-2010 cases are archived in Trenton.

Legal Resources in Monmouth County

Legal Services of New Jersey helps low-income residents through the hotline at (888) 576-5529. They assist with divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence. Central Jersey Legal Services also serves Monmouth County with free legal aid for qualifying families.

The New Jersey State Bar Association referral line is 1-800-792-8315. You get up to 30 minutes for a first meeting with a family law attorney who practices in Monmouth County. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center provides free forms, kits, and guides for people handling their own family court case.

Monmouth County Divorce Certificates

A divorce certificate from the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics is a short document that proves a divorce took place. It shows names, date, and county. It does not include the settlement terms. The fee is $25 for the first copy, with extra copies at $2 each.

Mail your request to P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. Walk-in service is at 140 East Front Street in Trenton. The office has records from 1848 to the present day. For the full judgment with property, custody, and support details from Monmouth County, go to the Family Division in Freehold or the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Trenton.

Cities in Monmouth County

All municipalities in Monmouth County file family court cases at the courthouse in Freehold. The Family Division serves every town in the county from one location.

Other communities in Monmouth County include Marlboro Township, Manalapan Township, Freehold Township, Long Branch, Red Bank, and Asbury Park. All file family court cases in Freehold.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Monmouth County. You must file your family court case in the county where you live for the court to have jurisdiction.