New Jersey became the third state to join the Union on December 18, 1787. Although small in size—ranking 47th in land area at 8,721 square miles—New Jersey is one of the most densely populated states in the U.S., with a population of 8.7 million. It ranks 11th in overall population and has a population density 13 times the national average.
The state is divided into 21 counties and 566 municipalities, including cities, boroughs, towns, villages, and townships. Counties act as extensions of the state government and manage a variety of local and municipal responsibilities, including:
Law enforcement via the Sheriff’s Office
Legal functions through county prosecutors and courts
Administrative services via clerks, commissions, boards, and councils
New Jersey enacted the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) to ensure government transparency and accountability. OPRA grants the public the right to access records held by:
State agencies
Local governments
Public authorities and boards
Any individual may request information—without having to state a reason. Exceptions are clearly defined under New Jersey law, with courts—not agencies—having final authority to determine whether certain information is exempt due to confidentiality concerns.
The law has been updated in recent years to accommodate the digitization of government records and electronic data systems, ensuring accessibility in a modern, digital-first environment.
Public records are frequently used for background screening, both for personal reasons and business purposes. The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety facilitates criminal history record checks through the New Jersey State Police, offering information on:
Felony and misdemeanor convictions
Arrest history
Pending charges
Additional background records include:
Driver’s records, available from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, which provide data on:
License status
Traffic violations
Point values and incident types
You can also expand your search by accessing the New Jersey Judiciary website to view:
Divorce records
Civil lawsuits and judgments
Current and upcoming court cases
Court calendars and filing information
Bankruptcy filings are available through the federal PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system, and professional license verifications can be conducted through the Division of Consumer Affairs for:
Medical professionals
Contractors
Accountants
Other licensed trades and businesses
New Jersey makes it easy to conduct asset searches through public databases:
Property records, including ownership details, assessed value, and land characteristics, can be accessed through county assessment offices
Business ownership records can be searched through the New Jersey Business Gateway, which provides information on:
Corporations
LLCs and partnerships
UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) debtor filings
These resources are vital for financial investigations, due diligence, or personal asset verification.
New Jersey residents often require vital records for legal, administrative, or personal documentation. These include:
Birth, death, and marriage certificates, available through official state and county registrar offices
PublicRecordCenter provides links to certified sources, with downloadable forms and instructions for submitting requests
You can also perform instant public safety searches, including:
Registered sex offenders
State “most wanted” lists
Inmate locator tools for correctional facilities
Conducting a successful records search begins with using the right resources. Rather than browsing aimlessly, start with a curated public records portal like PublicRecordCenter, which offers:
Direct links to official New Jersey agency websites
Free downloadable forms
Clear instructions for requesting records
Descriptions of each agency’s responsibilities and available data
Whether you're searching for a single document or performing a comprehensive background investigation, using an updated, centralized directory ensures faster, more reliable results.
