Bergen County Court Records

"Court records," which include exhibits, motions, pleadings, dockets, indices, and calendars, refer to any written or oral documentation created by the judiciary regarding legal cases. In Bergen County, these records are preserved by the court that heard the case.

Court records are maintained in Bergen to document cases processed by the local justice system, provide references for future cases, and establish precedents to support decisions.

Bergen court records are often connected to other public records. For example, criminal history records combine arrest data and court case outcomes, including dismissals and convictions from the Bergen courts. Likewise, court files may reference vital records, especially in divorce, adoption, and paternity cases.

Are Bergen County Court Records Public?

Yes. Court records maintained by the judiciary in New Jersey, and by extension the Bergen County courts, are open to members of the public per Rule 1:38. In other words, court records are considered public records. However, specific details, and sometimes, entire records, are unavailable to the general public.

Factors affecting the accessibility or restriction of a record include

• Data Sensitivity: Access to psychiatric, medical, psychological, and dependency records is restricted due to the sensitive information they contain. Adoption records and other records related to minors are also not public.
• Disclosure Implications: Records that could compromise the integrity of ongoing cases are not public. Additionally, if releasing a record or part of it would jeopardize an individual's safety, the information will not be disclosed.

What Information is Available in Bergen County Court Records?

Bergen County court records contain information specific to the type of case. For example, criminal, civil, and family case records have different details. However, public court records generally include:

Details of the parties involved

• Name
• City
• Ethnicity
• Age
• Place of birth

Case information

• Case number
• Dates (filing and hearing)
• Charges (for criminal cases)

Filed documents

• Pleadings
• Motions
• Affidavits
• Writs
• Orders & judgments
• Subpoenas, etc.

Bergen County Court Records Search

The judiciary in Bergen County offers several avenues through which members of the public can view or obtain court records:

• Online Access: The New Jersey judiciary provides an online case management system that allows individuals to access various court records, including civil, criminal, family, tax, and special civil cases. Interested parties can find a case using this platform, though the process varies by case type. For example, criminal court records can be inspected directly online, while accessing civil records requires registration. Additionally, some records are not available online. Generally, researchers need either a party name or a case number to proceed with their search.
• In-Person Access: This method offers a more direct, hands-on approach. Members of the public can visit the courthouse where the case was heard to request an inspection of related records. They may use public terminals with computers provided within the courthouse or request assistance from court staff. This approach is beneficial for retrieving records that are not available online or to the general public.
• Mail Request: Individuals can also request specific records via mail. Usually, one is required to fill out and submit the Records Request Form provided by the judiciary. The form can also be submitted online. On the form, it will be necessary to specify the appropriate division of the court to query.

Fees for Court Records in Bergen County

Generally, inspecting court records in Bergen is free; however, requesting copies typically incurs a fee. The cost associated with each request depends on the amount of work required to retrieve the record, the number of pages requested, and the type of record. The pricing breakdown for court records is provided below:

Bergen County Courthouse Locations

The Bergen court system consists of the Superior Court, the Surrogate Court, and the Municipal Court. It has over 70 courts, most of which are at the municipal level. Below are the county's courthouse locations:

Other municipal court addresses can be obtained from the New Jersey Judiciary's website.

The Superior Court handles most civil, criminal, and family cases. The Surrogate oversees probate hearings, while municipal courts handle specific minor cases within their local municipality's borders.

Criminal Records Access in Bergen County

The New Jersey State Police disseminates statewide criminal records, meaning all Bergen County criminal records and background checks can be directed to the department. However, under NJ law, only subjects of records and authorized persons are permitted to receive these records from the State Police.

On the other hand, criminal court records are maintained by the Superior Court, which has jurisdiction over criminal cases. Individuals can seek criminal court records open to the public from this court. These records are available for inspection in person, by mail, and via the New Jersey Courts' Find a Case system.

Bergen County Probate Records

The Surrogate Court hears probate cases in Bergen. These cases generally involve trusts, estate administration, conservatorships, and guardianships, often arising among family members related to a deceased person or beneficiaries entitled to certain assets following a testator's death.

Probate can be conducted outside of court without legal supervision or within the court (particularly in cases where a will is contested). For court-related matters, filings may be submitted online.

While some probate records are available for inspection or copying, not all documents, particularly those related to ongoing probate cases, are accessible to the public.

Requests for closed probate records can be made online or at the courthouse during business hours.

Bergen County Family Court Records

The family division of the Superior Court in Bergen curates and manages family records. This court handles family cases, including divorce, annulment, child support, and custody.

Some family case records can be accessed online through the New Jersey Courts' Find a Case system. Others may be obtained by visiting the courthouse when it is open to visitors. A Records Request Form can also be filled out and submitted online to the court. However, these requests typically incur a fee based on the type of copy or court authentication required. For example, a certificate of divorce costs $10, while a plain copy of any court record (letter size) costs 5 cents.

It is important to note that specific access restrictions may be imposed on family records. Sensitive records may only be available to the subject of the record, individuals with a court order, or members of the justice system.

Federal Court Records in Bergen County

Federal courts typically handle cases of a severe nature, such as bankruptcy, embezzlement, or conspiracy. The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, located in Newark, Camden, or Trenton, has jurisdiction over these types of matters.

Through PACER, members of the public can access and view/copy publicly available federal court records remotely. However, this service is not free; users can opt for a subscription or pay per search. Searches on PACER can be conducted with a name or a case number (searching by case number is less expensive). One can also complete the PACER Fee Form to request documents from the PACER Service Center. Certain fee exemptions apply to specific individuals.

Alternatively, inquirers can contact the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey for assistance.