Finding public records in New Jersey can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you know where to look. Public records provide important information about properties, businesses, court cases, and more. Having easy access to them is crucial for research, legal matters, genealogy, and staying informed as a citizen.
What are considered public records in New Jersey?
There are many types of records that are considered public and must be made available to any person upon request under New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Some of the most common public records in NJ include:
- Property records – deeds, mortgages, liens, foreclosures, property taxes
- Court records – civil and criminal case files, judgments, bankruptcies
- Vital records – birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Business records – incorporations, LLC filings, trademarks, bankruptcies
- Government budgets, meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions
- Arrest records and police reports
- Professional licenses – medical, legal, real estate, contractors
- Vehicle registrations
- Voter registration records
- Public employee salary and pension data
These are just some examples – many other records held by public agencies in New Jersey must also be made available to the public.
Where can I find public records in New Jersey?
There are several places you can go to access public records in NJ:
County clerk offices
The county clerk’s office in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties is responsible for maintaining important public records, including:
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
- Court records (civil suits, criminal cases, judgments)
- Business records (formation documents, fictitious name filings)
- Maps and survey documents
- Elections records
- Notary public records
Visit or contact your county clerk’s office to search available records and request copies.
County surrogate’s office
The surrogate’s office handles probate matters and maintains records relating to estate planning and administration, including:
- Wills
- Letters of administration
- Inventories of estates
- Guardianship records
Contact or visit your county surrogate’s office to access these records.
Municipal clerk offices
The municipal clerk in each city, town, township, or borough maintains important local records, such as:
- Birth, marriage, domestic partnership, and death certificates
- Meeting minutes
- Ordinances and resolutions
- Licenses and permits
- Business registration records
Contact your municipal clerk to obtain copies of public records filed there.
State agencies
Various state agencies hold public records relating to professional licensing, businesses, charities, and other regulated entities. Some examples include:
- Business formation records – NJ Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services
- Contractor license verification – NJ Division of Consumer Affairs
- Charity registration – NJ Division of Consumer Affairs
- Professional license verification – NJ Division of Consumer Affairs
- State employee salaries – NJ Department of the Treasury
Check agency websites or make public records requests to obtain state-level records.
Online databases
Many public records are available through online databases, making access quick and easy. Useful online sources include:
- NJ Judiciary Case Search – search civil court cases
- NJ Property Records – property deeds, mortgages, foreclosures
- NJ Business Gateway – business registration and filings
- NJ License Verification – verify professional licenses
- FamilySearch – birth, marriage, death, and census records
How do I make a public records request in New Jersey?
To obtain public records from government agencies in New Jersey:
- Determine which agency or office is likely to have the record you need.
- Check their website to see if the records are available online or for download. If not, locate their contact information.
- Address your request to the appropriate records custodian. Requests may be made by mail, email, fax, or in person.
- Clearly describe the specific records you are requesting including names, dates, locations, etc. If needed, attach additional pages.
- Include your full name, address, phone number, and email.
- Provide any required fees. There may be charges for copies, certified copies, extensive record searches, etc.
- You may need to provide proof of ID or sign a certification when requesting certain protected records.
- If your request is denied or records are not provided promptly, you can file an appeal.
Be sure to keep copies of all correspondence and documents related to your records request.
What are my rights to access public records in NJ?
As a citizen, you have important rights under New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA) including:
- The right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records.
- The right to request records in any medium available, such as paper, electronic, audio, video, etc.
- The right to a response within 7 business days.
- The right to appeal a denial of access to records.
- The right to sue a records custodian who improperly denies access.
Government agencies are required to be helpful and accommodate public records requests. There are very limited exemptions that allow certain confidential records to be withheld.
What kinds of records are exempt from public access?
While New Jersey’s public records laws provide broad access rights, there are some exemptions where records may be withheld, including:
- Ongoing criminal investigative records.
- Victim and witness information.
- Medical examiner photos.
- Certain information about minors.
- Social security numbers, credit card numbers.
- Personnel and pension records (some exceptions).
- Attorney-client privileged information.
- Trade secrets, proprietary business information.
However, exemptions must be carefully balanced against the public interest in disclosure under the law.
Can I find free public records online?
Many government websites provide free public access to common records, such as:
- State business registration lists
- Professional/occupational license lookups
- Judiciary case searches
- Property assessment data
- Voter registration lists
- Legislation and codes
- Budgets
- Meeting minutes and agendas
Commercial websites like FamilySearch also offer free searches for census, birth, marriage, and death records. However, to get copies of records, you usually have to pay county or state fees.
What online services provide paid access to public records?
While many records are available directly through government agencies, commercial services provide added convenience and access. Some major paid services for New Jersey public records include:
NJ.gov
The official state portal offers access to many records including business registrations, professional licenses, and limited court case lookups.
NJ Tax Records
Search official property tax and assessment records for every town in NJ.
LexisNexis
Large database of public records searchable by name or address, including property deeds, mortgages, liens, civil suits, corporate filings, professional licenses, and more.
Accurint
Owned by LexisNexis, Accurint provides instant online access to public records databases for individuals and businesses.
CoreLogic
Real estate-focused public records database including tax rolls, deeds, mortgages, and property characteristics.
Westlaw
Thomson Reuters service offering a comprehensive collection of NJ court cases, verdicts, corporate filings, civil suits, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, and more.
These services provide added convenience and access beyond free government sources. However, official record fees still apply when ordering copies.
How can I confirm a record I found is up-to-date and valid?
When searching public records on government or third-party websites, keep these tips in mind to verify accuracy:
- Always check the date – make sure records are current, not outdated versions.
- Check for updates – search for more recent filings that may supersede older records.
- Look for original sources – official county clerk or state databases, not just secondary compilations.
- Compare across sources – see if the same record appears accurately on multiple reliable sites.
- Get certified copies – paying for official copies directly from the source can ensure authenticity.
- Spot check facts – corroborate names, addresses, dates, etc. against known information.
Taking the time to validate public records is essential for avoiding problems or errors down the line.
Conclusion
Accessing public records in New Jersey is an important right under the state’s open records laws. With some guidance on locations and procedures, obtaining necessary deeds, court files, licenses, corporate documents, and other records can be a straightforward process. Be sure to leverage official government sources as well as convenient online services, and take steps to verify record accuracy. Public records provide transparency, valuable insights, and key evidence for New Jerseyans who need them.