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New Jersey Public Records

To access public records in New Jersey, it helps to understand the state law and the process used to request them.

Those needing to access records have a right to submit a request through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.

Table of Contents

What does the New Jersey public records law say?

In New Jersey, the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) was passed in 1963 and later updated in 2001. Currently, there are more than 20 million public records housed by various state agencies.

Public records in New Jersey date back to the year 1621 and can be found across all 33 counties.

Both third-party and governmental websites offer these records online with increased reliability, thanks to the ongoing standardization of digital public records.

Many New Jersey State records are available online, providing easy access and following the New Jersey Inspection of Public Records Act rules, which presumes that all government information and documents are open to the public.

The New Jersey Public Records law states that upon requesting records, a public agency has seven business days to respond unless there’s an interruption.

If there is a hold-up, the state government must communicate the problem and provide an updated timeline.

The law exempts legislative records from the public, but all other branches are subject to the law.

How can I access public records in New Jersey?

Some records are available online, while others require a formal request form. If the public information you’re looking for requires a request form, it can be delivered by mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.

Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you’re accessing records from multiple places.

In general, a public records request should include:

  • Your name
  • Contact information
  • The name of the document
  • Details about the document
  • A time frame that you would like to receive the materials by
  • Document delivery method, mail or email

New Jersey Criminal Records

The New Jersey Administrative Code authorizes the dissemination of the New Jersey Criminal History Record Information by the New Jersey State Police, Identification and Information Technology Section, and the State Bureau of Identification.

Only state government entities, private detectives, employers, and individuals can request criminal records. One can choose to either check fingerprint-based records or name-based records.

What’s on a New Jersey criminal record?

A criminal record, or criminal history, provides a detailed record of a person’s interactions with law enforcement. These records are pulled from various sources and include arrest records, convictions, and incarcerations within the state’s four prisons.

Motor vehicle violations and misdemeanors may not be on the criminal record.

More specifically, a criminal record or a background check will provide the following information:

  • Date of birth
  • Driver license number
  • Photograph/mugshot
  • Fingerprints
  • Current and past addresses
  • Former arrest records
  • Current and past warrants

Where can I find New Jersey criminal records?

Criminal records are available from New Jersey courts, detention centers, and law enforcement agencies at both the state and local levels.

The easiest way to run a background check is by visiting the New Jersey Criminal Records search.

The most detailed reports are returned when a fingerprint-based search is done. The state has several ways to obtain fingerprints, including virtual meetings.

In addition to fingerprints, you’ll need to fill out an application and provide a mailing address for the report to be delivered.

Name-based searches are available as well.

New Jersey Inmate Records

The New Jersey Department of Corrections oversees all matters concerning all correctional facilities in the state, from men’s prisons to women’s prisons, youth correctional facilities, and even facilities for sex offenders.

What’s on a New Jersey inmate record?

The information listed on an inmate record varies, but in New Jersey, the records usually contain personal information and specific details about a person’s incarceration situation.

Public access to inmate records can provide the following information:

  • Name and aliases
  • Date of Birth
  • Height and weight
  • DOC ID
  • Booking photo
  • Assigned location
  • Sentence summary

Where can I find New Jersey inmate records?

You will visit the Department of Corrections website to access the inmate record.

You will use the inmate’s name and state identification number.

Information like the health records of the inmates is not disclosed. Only personal and administrative information is disclosed.

New Jersey Court Records

The New Jersey Open Public Records Act of 1995 allowed disclosing all public records, including court records.

Some court documents can be tough to find.

What’s on a New Jersey court record?

In most cases, court records are quite large and come with many different documents.

Most people find the following documents the most helpful:

  • Court minutes
  • Case files
  • Dockets
  • Court opinions
  • Orders of the court
  • Judgment documentation
  • Jury records and files
  • Witness documentation
  • Case information

Where can I find New Jersey court records?

You will search the New Jersey Court Records to access documents relating to the judiciary.

The information will tell you if you can find records through a searchable database or if you need to visit a specific courthouse to request the documents formally.

Except where prohibited by Supreme Court Rule or by statutes, the following courts must make their records available to the general public statewide:

Copies of court records can also be purchased through the courthouse.

New Jersey Vital Records

Office of Vital Statistics and Registry New Jersey Department of Health maintains vital records in the state.

New Jersey vital records include:

  • Birth Certificates
  • Death Certificates
  • Marriage Licenses
  • Divorce Decrees

Public record requests for vital records in New Jersey will vary depending on the document you are requesting.

New Jersey Department of Health
Office of Vital Statistics & Registry
NJ Department of Health
P.O. Box 370
Trenton, NJ 08625-0370

Phone number: 866-649-8726

Accessing New Jersey state archives dated before 1914 requires a different process.

What information do I need to request a New Jersey birth certificate?

The Application for Non-Genealogical or Certified Birth Certificate will ask for specific information when ordering a birth record.

  • Full name on the birth record
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Parents’ full name before marriage

Where can I find a New Jersey birth certificate?

You can order a New Jersey birth certificate online by e-filing using VitalCheck.

Or, you can request a certified copy of a New Jersey birth record by completing the Application for Non-Genealogical or Certified Birth Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified birth certificate in the state of New Jersey is $25, and $2 for every additional copy.

What information do I need for a death certificate in New Jersey?

The Application for Non-Genealogical or Certified Death Certificate will ask for specific information when ordering a death record.

  • The full name of the deceased
  • Date of death
  • Place of death
  • Parents’ name before marriage

Where can I find a New Jersey death certificate?

You can order a New Jersey death certificate online by using VitalCheck.

Or, you can request a certified copy of a New Jersey death record by completing the Application for Non-Genealogical or Certified Death Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified death certificate in the state of New Jersey is $25, and $2 for every additional copy.

What information do I need to request a marriage certificate in New Jersey?

The Application for Non-Genealogical or Certified Marriage, Civil Union, or Domestic Partnership Certificate will ask for specific information when ordering a marriage record.

  • Reason for the record’s request
  • The relationship to the person(s) named on the certificate
  • Date of the marriage
  • Place the marriage took place
  • Full name of both spouses before marriage

Where can I find an existing New Jersey marriage record?

You can order a New Jersey marriage certificate online by using VitalCheck.

Or, you can request a certified copy of a New Jersey death record by completing the Application for Non-Genealogical or Certified Marriage, Civil Union, or Domestic Partnership Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified marriage certificate in New Jersey is $25, and $2 for every additional copy.

What information do I need to request a divorce certificate in New Jersey?

The Clerk of the Supreme Court maintains divorce records in New Jersey.

You will need to follow individual clerks’ processes and procedures.

Where can I find an existing New Jersey divorce record?

You can request a certified copy of a New Jersey divorce record by contacting the Family Court where the divorce was granted.

Example – Clerk of the Superior Court
Clerk of the Superior Court
Superior Court of NJ
Public Information Center
171 Jersey Street
P.O. Box 967
Trenton, NJ 08625-0967

New Jersey Property Records

The County Clerk’s Office maintains all property transaction maintains property records in the state.

The property records you can access include:

  • Liens
  • Land records
  • Titles
  • Property deeds
  • Mortgages
  • Property tax assessment records
  • Zoning information
  • Probate

For data, parcel, and tax maps, you will need to contact the Geographic Information System(GIS) to ask about public access.

What information do I need to request property records in New Jersey?

You will need basic information to access a public property record in New Jersey.

Forms, fees, and office hours will vary depending on the County Clerk’s Office.

Where can I find a New Jersey property record?

You will need to contact the County Clerk where the property record is maintained.

Example – Hudson County Clerk
Hudson Office of the County Clerk website
257 Cornelison Ave 4th floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302

Phone number: 201-369-3470

FAQs

Can a public records request be submitted by non-residents of New Jersey?

Non-residents of New Jersey can access public records in the state.

Is there a records custodian in New Jersey?

New Jersey Public Information laws mandate a records custodian.

What exemptions exist for public records in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Open Public Records Act spells out 19 exemptions.

The exemptions are regarding many sectors of the economy, from education to municipality records to security and more.

How long does New Jersey have to respond?

The state has seven days to respond to a request. Typically, the state can handle all requests promptly.

However, if a state withholds information longer than seven days, they incur a penalty, and an appeal can be made.

Is there an appeals process in place for public record requests in New Jersey?

New Jersey has a solid public records appeals process that involves filing the complaint with the government records council or the state Superior Court.

It should be noted that there is no deadline for filing a complaint. However, after the first denial, a requester only has 45 days to appeal the decision again to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in New Jersey?

For electronic copies of the records, no fees are charged.

Once a request has been sent, there may be additional charges for the transmission media like a CD or DVD.

Costs associated with paper copies of the records are charged depending on the number of pages of the documents.

  • Updated April 28, 2022
  • States

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