Bergen County Arrest Records

Bergen County arrest records are the official documentation created when an individual is taken into custody and booked by law enforcement in Bergen County. The booking process encompasses recording the individual’s personal details, fingerprints, charges, and other identifying information. These records form the first official documentation of the arrest.

Arrest records ensure that law enforcement activities are transparent and demonstrate accountability for the police and justice processes. They are used in background checks for employment, housing, and licensing. They also come in handy during court proceedings, such as bail hearings and sentencing, and allow victims and communities to stay aware of developments in legal cases.

The general framework for public access to government records is N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq, otherwise known as OPRA (Open Public Records Act). This framework primarily consists of available records unless exempted by statutes or court directives.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in New Jersey?

Yes. Arrest records are predominantly considered public information in New Jersey under OPRA, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., which makes arrest records publicly accessible. The public is free to request access unless an exemption applies. New Jersey Administrative Code section 13:59-1.2 governs the conditions for law enforcement release of criminal history records information (CHRI), such as arrest records.

There are four key exemptions to this general rule in New Jersey law:

• Ongoing investigations. Per N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3, arrest records cannot be released to the public if such a disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations.
• Juvenile records. Protected under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60.
• Sealed/expunged records. Based on N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq.
• Privacy protections. Sensitive details such as the names and identities of victims or witnesses, medical or mental health information, and other personal identifiers that could cause harm or prejudice are generally redacted from publicly available documents.

The public records laws and their exemptions aim to uphold public oversight and transparency on one hand and individual privacy and fair trial rights on the other. This helps government accountability and protects vulnerable groups while preventing misuse of sensitive records.

Bergen County Arrest Search

To search for arrest records of Bergen County, different conditions must be satisfied, depending on the level.

Section 13:59 of the New Jersey Administrative Code governs arrest records disclosure for criminal and non-criminal justice use. Requesting arrest records through this route typically requires fingerprinting through the approved portal. The fee is $42.80 per request for a personal record check, with additional service fees depending on the IdentoGO site. At this level, only the subject of the record (or authorized attorney) can request their own CHRI, with processing time at roughly 10 business days from fingerprint submission. Non-residents may submit ink fingerprint cards by mail (slightly longer turnaround).

The federal-level ( FBI Identity History Summary Check ) provides a nationwide arrest and disposition history. Mail-in or online submission is available through the FBI CJIS Division for a fee of $18 per request. If done by mail, additional requirements include submitting a fingerprint card (FD-258). Processing takes up to 3 to 5 business days for electronic submission, and mail-in takes up to several weeks.

At the county level, requests can be made through an OPRA request form to the Records Bureau of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office at

2 Bergen County Plaza

Hackensack, NJ 07601

Phone: (201) 336-3500

Fax: (201) 752-4234

The Bureau handles requests for arrest reports and related booking documents. The fees are typically around $1-2 per page for regular copies; certified copies may cost more (varies by request, so "call ahead" is good advice). Requests can be made in person during business hours as long as a valid government-issued ID is presented. Standard processing time is 7-14 business days.

Each municipality-level police department in Bergen County maintains its own arrest and incident reports, and each department’s Records Division typically handles requests. The fees vary slightly by department, but $5 per report is a common baseline. A formal written form may be required, and some reports may be redacted to protect victim/witness information.

At the court level, the New Jersey Judicial Public Access portal provides access to dockets and charges filed. This is useful for checking court proceedings related to arrests. These can be freely accessed online, requiring case numbers, names, or other identifiers. For more detailed filings, such as motions and police reports, requests must be addressed directly to the relevant Superior Court Criminal Division. The standard fee for certified docket sheets or filings is $1-2 per page.

Bergen County Inmate Locator

The Sheriff’s Office runs the Bergen County Jail and is thus responsible for housing all the county inmates. The Office has made an online Inmate Lookup Tool available on its website, where searches can be performed by name or booking number.

A search typically returns information such as custody status, booking date, charges filed, bail amount, and, if set, release date. Note that it might take up to 48 hours for recent arrest records to appear on the inmate lookup tool. Also, juvenile and sealed cases are not available for public access.

To access official records or copies, applicants, who must possess a valid government-issued photo ID, can submit a request through the Records Division of the Bergen County Jail at:

Bergen County Jail

160 South River Street

Hackensack, NJ 07601

Phone: (201) 336-3500

Requests can be mailed or made in person.

Active Warrant Search in Bergen County

An arrest warrant is an official document that authorizes law enforcement to remand an individual. It is issued by a judge when probable cause exists and lists the suspect’s identifying details, alleged charges, and the issuing court.

Unlike inmate lookups, there is no public online warrant search in Bergen County. Inquiries must be made in person (at 2 Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ 07601) or by calling or faxing the Warrants Unit:

Tel: (201) 336-3500 Ext. 4500

Efax: (201) 880-1799

For privacy and safety, officials usually only confirm whether a warrant exists and may not disclose full details. When in doubt as to whether they have an active warrant, individuals are strongly advised to consult an attorney before contacting the Sheriff’s Office directly or appearing in person.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Bergen County

At Bergen County, arrest records can be freely obtained using the Bergen County Sheriff’s Inmate Locator website, the New Jersey Courts Public Access System (which lists criminal case dockets), or some municipal police blotters, depending on the township.

For in-person access, courthouse computers are open to the public for free lookup of case information by name or docket number.

The main issue with free arrest records is that older records may not be digitized, thus requiring manual requests. Also, records provided under OPRA are subject to redaction, so sensitive details such as victim names or ongoing investigation details may be justifiably withheld.

Processing times for free requests could also take 7-10 business days, depending on the office. All free resources are useful for basic checks. For certified or detailed reports, fees and formal requests may apply.

Bergen County Arrest Report

An arrest record is different from an arrest report. The record covers the basic entry, namely, the person’s name, date, charges, and booking details. On the other hand, the arrest report comprises a detailed narrative by the arresting office, covering incident description, evidence supporting probable cause, statements from victims and witnesses, and circumstances of arrest.

Under New Jersey’s OPRA, specifically N.J.S.A 47:1A-3, the standard rule for public access is that arrest reports not be released if part of an active or ongoing investigation. Thus, to request a report, the applicant needs to submit an OPRA request form to the police department that made the arrest.

Such requests can be made in person, by mail, or sometimes online through the department’s OPRA portal. Fees are low and usually at per-page copying cost. Also, before release, reports are reviewed and redacted to remove sensitive details like juvenile names, medication information, or ongoing investigative leads.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Bergen County

Expungement, the court-ordered process to remove or seal arrest or conviction records, is controlled by NJ Expungement Statutes (N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq.). There are different eligibility categories, namely:

• Arrests with no charges filed: eligible for immediate expungement petition.
• Charges dismissed or acquitted: eligible for petition.
• Convictions: standard waiting periods apply (5 years for disorderly persons offenses, 5 to 10 years for indictable offenses, depending on case) per N.J.S.A 2C:52-2(a).
• Clean Slate Law (2020): automatic expungement of most criminal records after 10 years, provided no new serious offenses.
• Juvenile records: sealed or expunged under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, typically with shorter waiting times.

To file a request for expungement at Bergen County, the applicant needs to:

• Complete a Petition for Expungement and file with the Bergen County Superior Court, Criminal Division (located at 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601).
• Serve copies of the petition and proposed order on: NJ State Police, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the arresting police agency, and any jail involved.
• Attend a hearing if the court requires one.

If the petition is granted, records are treated as though the arrest never occurred for most civilian purposes (including employment, housing, and background checks). However, law enforcement, court sentencing, and certain professional licensing bodies may still access the sealed record.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

New Jersey courts (under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1, et seq.) bear oversight of the removal process for records public on the internet. Once the courts grant an expungement order, state and federal agencies like the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, municipal police, NJ State Police and FBI update their databases, clearing the record from official files.

The second step is direct site requests. Some mugshot and arrest websites offer opt-out or takedown forms, although they typically require documentation (court order, dismissal, or proof of expungement).

The third step is to use Google’s "Remove Outdated Content" tool to de-index cached pages, even if the original page remains.

Not all private sites comply without legal compulsion. In such cases where a website refuses, seeking an attorney’s letter or a court order is strongly advised. Paid reputation-management services can also be consulted to suppress or bury content.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Under OPRA /N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., public arrest records typically contain the following information:

• Full name, age, and gender of the arrested person.
• Date, time, and location of arrest.
• Arresting agency (police department or sheriff’s office).
• Charges filed or alleged offenses.
• Booking details (such as custody status and jail facility).
• Bail or bond amount, if set.
• Court case number or warrant number (if linked to a filing).

Some information may be restricted or excluded, including:

• Social Security numbers, driver’s license, or financial data.
• Juvenile identifiers and sealed juvenile matters (protected under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60).
• Victim or witness names and personal information.
• Medical, mental health, or substance use information.
• Expunged or sealed records.