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New Jersey · How-To Guide

How do I access court records?

Superior Court Clerk (county level - each of NJ's 21 counties) / New Jersey Courts (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Identify what type of record you need: Superior Court (felonies, civil, family/domestic, probate), Municipal Court (traffic, disorderly persons offenses, local ordinances), Appellate Division, or New Jersey Supreme Court
  2. Search online:
  3. NEW JERSEY COURTS CASE SEARCH (eCourts): ecourts.judiciary.state.nj.us - New Jersey's comprehensive online case management system; public access available for Civil and Criminal Superior Court cases; search by name or docket number; free basic access
  4. SURROGATE'S COURT: probate/estate matters handled by county Surrogate's Court - records held by county Surrogate; some online access available
  5. MUNICIPAL COURT: each of ~565 municipal courts maintains its own records; limited online access; contact specific court
  6. For full case documents or certified copies: contact the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the case was filed; in-person or written request
  7. In-person access: visit the county courthouse; bring photo ID and case details
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
  • Case number/docket number or full legal name of parties
Fee
eCourts online access: free for basic case information; certified copies: $10 per document or per specified fee schedule; contact specific Superior Court Clerk
Processing Time
Immediate online searches; same day or by mail for certified copies
Online Option
Yes - eCourts at ecourts.judiciary.state.nj.us (statewide Superior Court civil and criminal cases)
Where to Go
Superior Court Clerk in the county where the case was filed; Surrogate's Court (probate); Municipal Court (traffic/ordinance)
County-specific variations apply

NJ's 21 county Superior Courts each maintain their own records. Essex County (Newark), Bergen County (Hackensack), Middlesex County (New Brunswick), Monmouth County (Freehold), Ocean County (Toms River), and Hudson County (Jersey City) have large systems. Each county also has a Surrogate's Court for probate matters. Divorce records 1900-1989: contact Records Information Center of the State Superior Court; 1990 to present: county Superior Court where divorce was granted.

New Jersey Notes

Important state-specific details

  • NJ eCourts (ecourts.judiciary.state.nj.us): NJ's excellent statewide online case management system; covers Civil, Criminal, and some Family Division Superior Court cases statewide; free public access.
  • Divorce records: 1900-1989 at Records Information Center of State Superior Court; 1990+ at county Superior Court where divorce was granted.
  • Criminal history background checks: NJ State Police, Criminal Information Unit - njsp.org; fee-based.
  • NJ Sex Offender Registry: offenderis.com (NJ Megan's Law website) - searchable by name, county, or municipality.
  • Juvenile records: sealed; special access rules.
  • NJ Open Public Records Act (OPRA): public agencies must respond within 7 business days.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
New Jersey Courts - njcourts.gov | (609) 984-0275; eCourts: ecourts.judiciary.state.nj.us; NJ State Police (criminal records) - njsp.org | (609) 882-2000; NJ Sex Offender Registry - njsp.org/sex-offender-registry