Union County Family Court Records Search

Union County family court records are filed and maintained at the Superior Court, Family Division in Elizabeth. Union County is Vicinage 20 and operates as a single-county vicinage. The Family Division processes divorce cases, custody disputes, child support matters, domestic violence orders, juvenile proceedings, guardianship filings, paternity cases, and adoption records. You can search for family court records at the courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or through the state court website for basic case information.

Union County Family Division Office

The Union County Courthouse is at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. The Family Division is located here. The main phone number is 908-787-1650. For the Family Division, call ext. 21280. The Dissolution Assignment Office number is 908-659-3314. Each unit has its own extension for direct questions.

The Union County Vicinage is one of the few single-county vicinages in New Jersey. This means Union County does not share court leadership with another county. All family court matters are handled locally. The court has units for matrimonial cases (ext. 21320), domestic violence (ext. 21270), non-dissolution matters (ext. 21280), and juvenile cases (ext. 21370).

Union County also has a Family Justice Center at 10 Cherry Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. The phone number is 908-527-4980. This center provides services for victims of domestic violence and their families. It brings together court staff, law enforcement, and support groups in one location.

The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring your ID when you visit.

How to Search Union County Family Court Records

You can search for family court records in Union County online or at the courthouse. The NJ Courts Find a Case tool is free. Search by party name or docket number to find civil case information. Basic details are available at no charge for all counties, including Union County.

For certified copies or full case files, visit the Family Division at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. Union 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 Family Division in Elizabeth. The county code for Union is 20. Submit a Records Request Form (CN 10200) for archived records. You can email the Superior Court Clerk's Office at SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov with questions about your request.

Note: Divorce records are released only to parties in the case, their attorneys, or those who have a court order directing release.

Union County Clerk and Related Records

The Union County government runs several offices that hold records linked to family court cases. The County Clerk handles marriage licenses and property deeds. After a divorce, property may change hands. A marriage certificate may be needed as part of a divorce filing. These records come from the clerk, not the court.

The Union County Surrogate handles probate and estate matters. Guardianship cases sometimes cross over between family court and the Surrogate's office. The Sheriff serves court papers in family cases. All of these offices work together but keep their own separate records in Union County.

Family Court Case Types in Union County

The Family Division in Union County hears a wide range of cases. Divorce and dissolution matters are filed under the FM docket prefix. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, New Jersey allows fault and no-fault grounds. Most people in Union County file using irreconcilable differences. At least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for 12 months.

Custody and parenting time cases determine where children live and how parents share time. The court uses the best interest of the child test. Child support follows state guidelines. Paternity cases establish legal fatherhood. All of these create records in the Union County family court system.

Domestic violence cases fall under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. The court can issue temporary and final restraining orders. Records from these cases have strong privacy protections under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33. Juvenile delinquency cases are also confidential under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60. Adoption records are sealed under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52.

Public Access to Union County Court Records

Most family court records in Union County are public under OPRA (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1). Court Rule 1:38 lists 38 exceptions. Thirty deal with family and criminal cases. Protected categories include juvenile files, domestic violence reports, adoption records, and confidential litigant information sheets.

Anyone can request public family court records from Union County. You do not have to be a party. However, divorce documents go only to parties, their lawyers, or those with a court order. To request other records, file an OPRA request or visit the courthouse. The custodian has seven business days to respond. If denied, you can appeal to the Government Records Council.

Note: Family Case Information Statements are available only to parties and their counsel in Union County cases.

Legal Help in Union County

The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has free forms and guides for family court matters. Download kits for divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. All forms are free. Adobe Reader is required to fill them out.

Legal Services of New Jersey helps low-income residents with family law cases. Call 888-576-5529 for the hotline. The New Jersey State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-792-8315 with a first consultation of up to 30 minutes. The Union County Bar Association may also have referral options. For child support questions, call the state hotline at 1-877-655-4371. The Family Justice Center in Elizabeth provides help for domestic violence victims in Union County.

Union County Court Filing Fees

Union County follows the standard New Jersey fee schedule for family court filings. A divorce complaint costs $300. The pro se surcharge for self-represented filers is $25. Motion fees are $15 for most motions. Post-judgment motions cost $30. Appeals cost $200.

Copy and certification fees for family court records in Union County include:

• Certified divorce judgment: $25 first copy, $2 each additional
• Plain copies: $0.05 per page (letter), $0.07 per page (legal)
• Seal of the Court: $10
• Exemplified copy: $50 plus plain copy fees
• Certificate of divorce: $10

Pay by check or money order to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Cash is accepted in person at the Union County courthouse. Low-income filers can apply for a fee waiver through the court.

Cities in Union County

Union County has 21 municipalities. All family court cases go through the Superior Court, Family Division at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

Other municipalities in Union County include Linden, Westfield, Cranford, Summit, Scotch Plains, Rahway, and Roselle. All family court cases for these towns are filed in Elizabeth.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Union County. File your family court case in the county where you or your spouse lives. Confirm your address before filing.