Salem County Family Court Lookup

Salem County family court records are kept at the Superior Court, Family Division in Salem. This is the smallest county in New Jersey by population. Salem County is part of Vicinage XV, which it shares with Cumberland and Gloucester counties. The Family Division handles divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile, guardianship, paternity, and adoption cases. The courthouse is at 92 Market Street in Salem. You can search for family court records there or use online court tools provided by the state.

Salem County Family Division Office

The Family Division in Salem County is at the Salem County Courthouse, 92 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079. This is a small courthouse that serves all family court needs for the county. The main phone number is 856-878-5050. For the Family Division directly, call ext. 15627. The Family Division Manager is Amanda Batiz, who can be reached at ext. 15871.

Salem County shares Vicinage XV with Cumberland and Gloucester counties. This means the three counties share court leadership and some resources. However, Salem County keeps its own family court records at the local courthouse. You do not need to go to another county for your records. All family cases filed in Salem County stay in Salem.

The Salem County government website has links to county offices and services. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Staff can help you find family court records and get copies of documents.

How to Search Salem County Family Court Records

You can search family court records in Salem County in person or online. The NJ Courts Find a Case tool lets you look up civil cases by name or docket number for free. This covers all 21 counties. Basic case details are available at no charge. For full files or certified copies, you must contact the court directly.

Salem County divorce cases filed up to and including 2015 are archived at the Records Imaging Center (RIC) in Trenton. Cases from 2016 onward are at the Salem County Family Division. The county code for Salem is 17. If you need an old file, submit a Records Request Form (CN 10200) to the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Allow extra time for the RIC to pull archived records. You can email questions about your request to SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov.

Note: Divorce documents are only released to a party, their attorney, or someone with a court order.

Family Court Case Types in Salem County

The Family Division in Salem County hears many types of cases. Divorce and dissolution cases are filed under the FM docket prefix. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, New Jersey allows both fault and no-fault grounds. Most filers in Salem County use irreconcilable differences. At least one spouse must have been a New Jersey resident for 12 months before filing on no-fault grounds.

Custody and parenting time cases set out where children live and when each parent has time with them. Child support cases follow state guidelines to set payment amounts. Paternity cases determine the legal father of a child. These records are all part of the family court system in Salem County. Domestic violence cases result in restraining orders. Juvenile matters involve minors accused of delinquent acts. Guardianship cases appoint someone to care for a person who cannot care for themselves.

Adoption records are sealed in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52. You need a court order to open them. All other family court records in Salem County are generally accessible to the parties involved.

Salem County Family Court Fees

Salem County uses the same fee schedule as all New Jersey courts. The filing fee for a divorce complaint is $300. A $25 surcharge applies if you file without a lawyer. Motion fees range from $15 to $30. Copy fees are $0.05 per page for plain copies.

Certified copies of family court records cost more. A certified copy of a divorce judgment is $25. Extra copies ordered at the same time are $2 each. The Seal of the Court adds $10. An exemplified copy for out-of-state use is $50 plus copying charges. Pay by check or money order to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Cash is accepted in person only at the Salem County courthouse. If you cannot pay, ask about fee waivers.

Public Access to Salem County Records

Family court records in Salem County are mostly public under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1). Court Rule 1:38 governs access to court records. It lists 38 exceptions. Many of these protect family court documents like juvenile files, domestic violence reports, and adoption records.

Records that are public can be requested by anyone. You do not need to be part of the case. However, divorce documents have special rules. They go only to parties, their lawyers, or those with a court order. You can file an OPRA request through the Government Records Council for government-held records. The custodian has seven business days to respond.

Note: Medical and psychological records used in custody or support hearings are confidential in Salem County family court cases.

Legal Help in Salem County

The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has free forms and guides for people without lawyers. You can find kits for divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. All forms can be downloaded and printed at home. Adobe Reader is needed to fill out court forms.

Legal Services of New Jersey provides free help to residents with low income. Call 888-576-5529 for the hotline. The New Jersey State Bar Association lawyer referral service is at 1-800-792-8315. The first consultation is up to 30 minutes. South Jersey Legal Services also covers Salem County for those who qualify. These groups can help with divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases in Salem County.

Because Salem County is small, fewer local legal aid offices are nearby. State-level resources fill the gap. The court staff in Salem County can also point you to help.

Salem County Divorce Certificates

A divorce certificate is different from the full court record. The New Jersey Department of Health issues certificates that prove a divorce happened. They show the names, date, and county. They do not include property terms, custody details, or support amounts. You can order one from the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry for $25. Extra copies ordered at the same time are $2 each.

For the full divorce judgment with all terms, go to the Salem County Family Division or file a request with the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Most legal matters require the full judgment, not just a certificate.

Cities in Salem County

Salem County has 15 municipalities. All family court cases go through the Superior Court, Family Division in Salem. The courthouse at 92 Market Street serves every town in the county.

Municipalities in Salem County include Salem, Pennsville, Carneys Point, Woodstown, Penns Grove, Pilesgrove, Mannington, and Alloway. All family court cases for these towns are filed in Salem.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Salem County. Make sure you file in the county where you live. The court must have jurisdiction over your family case.