Find Passaic County Family Court Records

Passaic County family court records are maintained at the Superior Court, Family Division in Paterson. The county seat is Paterson, one of the largest cities in New Jersey. The Family Division handles divorce, custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence, juvenile, and guardianship cases for all Passaic County residents. You can search for family court records in person at the courthouse or through the state court website. The Family Division has two locations in Paterson to serve the public.

Passaic County Family Division Locations

Passaic County has two court locations for family cases. The main courthouse is at 77 Hamilton Street in Paterson. The Family Part is on the 4th floor. A second location is at the County Administration Building, 401 Grand Street, 8th floor. Both serve Passaic County residents who need family court records or want to file new cases.

The Passaic County Vicinage runs its own Family Division. Unlike some counties that share a vicinage, Passaic County has its own. The main phone number is 973-247-8000. For the Family Division, call 973-247-8600 or 973-653-2910 ext. 24390. Each unit has its own extension. The Matrimonial unit is at ext. 24440. Domestic Violence is at ext. 24420. Juvenile matters are at ext. 24430. Children in Court is at ext. 24450.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court is closed on state holidays. Bring a valid ID when you visit. Staff at both Passaic County locations can help you search for records and get copies of family court documents.

Searching Passaic County Court Records

There are two main ways to search family court records in Passaic County. The first is online through the NJ Courts Find a Case tool. This free search covers civil case information across all counties. You can look up cases by name or docket number. Basic details show up at no cost. For full documents, you need to visit the courthouse or submit a formal request.

The second way is to visit the Family Division in Paterson. Staff can search by party name or docket number. Passaic County divorce cases filed up to and including 2009 are archived at the Records Imaging Center in Trenton. Cases from 2010 onward are kept at the Passaic County Family Division. If your case is old, the court will need to request the file from Trenton. This may take extra time. Submit a Records Request Form (CN 10200) for archived cases. The county code for Passaic County is 16.

Note: For help finding a docket number, call the Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100.

Passaic County Divorce and Custody Records

Divorce is the most common case type in the Passaic County family court system. A divorce complaint starts the process. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, you can file on fault or no-fault grounds. Most cases in Passaic County use irreconcilable differences as the reason. At least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for 12 months before filing.

The divorce file in Passaic County includes the complaint, answer, property settlement agreement, and the final judgment of divorce. Custody orders, parenting time plans, and child support calculations are also part of the record. Certified copies of the final judgment cost $25 from the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Each extra copy at the same time costs $2. Plain copies cost $0.05 per page.

Custody cases can be filed on their own or as part of a divorce in Passaic County. The court decides custody based on the best interest of the child. Paternity cases establish legal fatherhood. Child support amounts follow state guidelines. All of these create records in the Passaic County family court system.

Domestic Violence Cases in Passaic County

The Passaic County Family Division processes domestic violence restraining orders. A temporary restraining order can be issued the same day. A hearing for a final restraining order takes place within 10 days. The Domestic Violence unit in Passaic County can be reached at 973-653-2910 ext. 24420.

Domestic violence records in Passaic County have strong privacy protections. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33, these records are not open to the general public. Only the parties, their attorneys, and law enforcement can access them. This protects the safety of victims. If you need a copy of your own restraining order from Passaic County, contact the Family Division directly.

Public Access to Passaic County Family Records

Most family court records in Passaic County are public under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1). Court Rule 1:38 sets out the rules for access. There are 38 exceptions. Many deal with family court cases. Juvenile records, adoption files, and domestic violence reports are not public. Confidential Litigant Information Sheets and medical records in custody cases are also protected.

For records that are public, anyone can request them. You do not have to be a party to the case. Visit the Passaic County Family Division or file an OPRA request. The court must respond within seven business days. If you are denied access, you can appeal to the Government Records Council.

Note: Divorce documents are released only to parties, their attorneys, or those with a court order directing release.

Legal Help for Passaic County Family Cases

If you need help with a family court case in Passaic County, several resources are available. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has forms and guides for divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence. All forms are free. You can download them and fill them out at home.

Legal Services of New Jersey offers free legal help to low-income residents. Call the LSNJLAWSM hotline at 888-576-5529. The New Jersey State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-792-8315. The first meeting is up to 30 minutes. They can connect you with a family law attorney who handles cases in Passaic County. The Passaic County Bar Association may also have referral options for residents who need a lawyer.

Passaic County Court Filing Fees

Filing fees in Passaic County match the statewide schedule. A new divorce complaint costs $300. The pro se surcharge is $25 for those without an attorney. Motion fees are $15 for most motions and $30 for post-judgment motions. Appeal costs are $200.

Copy and certification fees also apply when you request family court records from Passaic County. A certified copy of the final judgment of divorce costs $25 for the first copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $2 each. The Seal of the Court is $10 extra. If you need an exemplified copy for use out of state, the cost is $50 plus plain copy fees. Payment is by check or money order to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." If you cannot afford fees, ask about the Fee Waiver Application at the Passaic County Family Division.

Cities in Passaic County

Passaic County has 16 municipalities. All family court cases for these towns go through the Superior Court, Family Division in Paterson. The courthouse serves every resident in the county.

Other municipalities in Passaic County include Hawthorne, West Milford, Pompton Lakes, Ringwood, and Wanaque. All of these file family court cases at the Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Passaic County. You must file your family court case in the county where you or your spouse lives. Check your address to make sure you file in the right place.