About Bergen County
Bergen County is located in the northeastern corner of New Jersey, directly across the Hudson River from New York City. As New Jersey's most populous county, Bergen County is home to approximately 955,000 residents across its 247 square miles, including 70 municipalities. Bergen County Seat is Hackensack, where most county government offices are located at One Bergen County Plaza. Bergen County boasts a rich history dating to colonial times, with significant Revolutionary War sites including the Steuben House in River Edge and New Bridge Landing Historic Park.
- Bergen County Register's office at the same address handles property records and deed recordings.
Bergen County features diverse geography from the Palisades cliffs along the Hudson River to the suburban communities of Paramus, Teaneck, Fort Lee, and Ridgewood. Major landmarks include MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford (home to NFL Giants and Jets), Bergen County Zoo in Paramus, and Bergen County Courthouse. Bergen County Clerk's office, located at One Bergen County Plaza, Room 120, Hackensack, NJ 07601, maintains vital records and public documents.
Bergen County Board of Taxation is the assessment authority. What makes Bergen County unique is its blue laws prohibiting most retail sales on Sundays in certain municipalities, its status as a bedroom community for New York City commuters, and its exceptional cultural diversity with significant Korean, Indian, and Orthodox Jewish populations contributing to one of the most multicultural counties in America.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Bergen County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order within Bergen County. It provides law enforcement services in unincorporated areas, operates Bergen County Jail, and is tasked with processing arrests and maintaining criminal records. The office also runs several specialized divisions, such as the K-9 Unit and the Bureau of Criminal Identification, which are crucial for supporting local law enforcement agencies in criminal investigations and public safety initiatives.
Police Departments
Bergen County is served by multiple law enforcement agencies, including Bergen County Sheriff's Office and various municipal police departments. Notable city departments include the Hackensack Police Department, Paramus Police Department, and Fort Lee Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective city or town, but they often collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, coordinating efforts through Bergen County's centralized resources and specialized units.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Bergen County Sheriff's Office, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (phone: 201-336-3000), provides law enforcement services countywide, including court security, warrant execution, and civil process service. The Sheriff's website at www.bcsdnj.org offers resources for public records requests and information on office operations. Bergen County operates Bergen County Jail at 160 South River Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, where inmates are housed during pretrial detention and for sentences under one year.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through Bergen County Jail inmate lookup system or by OPRA request to the Sheriff's Office, though some departments may charge copying fees.
- Bergen County Prosecutor's Office (phone: 201-646-2300) coordinates major investigations and maintains records of arrests for serious offenses.
Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office website with search capabilities by name or booking number, providing custody status, charges, and bond information. Bergen County comprises 70 municipalities, each with its own police department, including Hackensack Police Department, Paramus Police Department, Fort Lee Police Department, Teaneck Police Department, Englewood Police Department, Fair Lawn Police Department, Ridgewood Police Department, and dozens more, all operating independently for local law enforcement. Arrest records in Bergen County are public records accessible under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (47:1A-1 et seq.), also known as OPRA.
Citizens may submit OPRA requests to individual municipal police departments or Bergen County Prosecutor's Office at 10 Main Street, Hackensack for arrest records, though certain ongoing investigation records may be exempt. There are no tribal police jurisdictions in Bergen County. The New Jersey State Police also maintain jurisdiction on certain state highways crossing Bergen County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Bergen County includes felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. To conduct a background check in New Jersey, individuals can request records through the New Jersey State Police, which provides statewide criminal history information. The New Jersey State Police offers additional resources for residents seeking full background checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Bergen County are maintained by Bergen County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. Residents and attorneys can request these records by submitting a formal request to the respective law enforcement agency. An arrest record typically includes the individual's personal information, the nature of the offense, and the arresting agency. These records are subject to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, which governs the accessibility of public records in the state.
Jail & Inmate Records
Bergen County Jail, located in Hackensack, is the primary detention facility for Bergen County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance.
- The bond and bail process in New Jersey allows for cash or bond payments, and recently arrested individuals can be located through the jail's online system or by contacting the facility directly.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Bergen County are taken and retained by Bergen County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the sheriff's office or via third-party services that compile public records. New Jersey does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances, such as expungement of the related criminal record.
Courts & Case Records
Bergen County is served by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen Vicinage, with the main courthouse, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (phone: 201-527-2600). Bergen County Superior Court handles all civil, criminal (indictable offenses), family, and general equity matters, including foreclosures and probate cases under the Surrogate's Court division. The Surrogate's Court office is located at One Bergen County Plaza, Room 340, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (phone: 201-336-7100) and specifically handles wills, estates, guardianships, and adoptions.
- Municipal court records must be requested from individual municipal courts.
- Fees for certified copies of court documents typically range from $5-10 per document plus per-page copying fees.
- Archived records older than ten years may require special request through the Records Management Office at the courthouse.
Each of Bergen County's 70 municipalities operates its own Municipal Court handling traffic violations, disorderly persons offenses, and local ordinance violations; these courts are located in individual town halls. The New Jersey Judiciary provides online case lookup through the New Jersey Courts Public Access system (NJCOURTS.GOV/public) for Superior Court civil, family, and criminal cases, searchable by party name or docket number. Court records are governed by New Jersey Court Rule 1:38, which establishes public access rights while protecting certain confidential information.
Bergen Vicinage offers online eCourts filing for attorneys and self-represented litigants in civil cases. Criminal case files may have restricted information depending on case disposition.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Bergen County are maintained by Bergen County Register's Office (County Clerk), located at One Bergen County Plaza, Room 200, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (phone: 201-336-7600). The Register's Office website at www.co.bergen.nj.us/register-of-deeds-mortgages provides access to recorded documents dating back to the 1700s, including deeds, mortgages, liens, lis pendens, easements, releases, assignments, and subdivision plat maps.
- Bergen County offers free online property record searches through the Register's database at https://register.bcnj.us, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, block and lot number, or document number.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $2.00 per page and must be requested in person or by mail with proper identification.
Document images can be viewed and printed online at no charge for unofficial copies. Property tax records are maintained separately by Bergen County Board of Taxation at One Bergen County Plaza, 3rd Floor, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (phone: 201-336-6500) and by individual municipal tax assessors in each of the 70 towns. Bergen County provides a full online GIS parcel viewer through Bergen County Division of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) accessible at https://gis.bcnj.us, showing parcel boundaries, ownership, assessment values, zoning, and aerial photography.
Assessment data, property characteristics, and tax information are searchable by address or block/lot. Bergen County also maintains subdivision maps, condominium declarations, and historical property transfer records dating to colonial land grants.
Vital Records
Vital records for Bergen County residents are managed by multiple offices depending on the record type and date. Birth certificates for births occurring in Bergen County are available from Bergen County Clerk's Office at One Bergen County Plaza, Room 120, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (phone: 201-336-7020) for births registered after June 1, 1878. Certified birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Death certificates are similarly available from the County Clerk's Office for deaths occurring in Bergen County, at the same fee structure.
- Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM); mail requests take approximately two weeks.
- Divorce records are not available from the County Clerk; certified divorce decrees must be requested from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen Vicinage, where the divorce was finalized.
- Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370 (phone: 866-649-8726).
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.state.nj.us/health/vital for an additional processing fee.
- Requesters must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest as required under 26:8-40.1.
Marriage licenses must be obtained in person from Bergen County Clerk's Office, requiring both applicants to appear with valid photo ID, proof of age, and Social Security numbers; the fee is $28 and there is a 72-hour waiting period before the license is valid. Marriage certificates (proof of marriage) are available from the same office for marriages performed in Bergen County. The New Jersey State Department of Health, Vital Statistics Registration is the central repository for all New Jersey vital records and can be contacted at P.O.
Genealogical researchers may access records older than 80 years through the State Archives.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Bergen County are distributed across county, municipal, and state agencies. Bergen County Clerk's Office at One Bergen County Plaza, Room 120, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (phone: 201-336-7020) maintains trade name registrations (DBA - Doing Business As) and fictitious name certificates for businesses operating in Bergen County. These filings are searchable in person or by written request with associated fees typically around $5-10 per search.
- This free searchable database provides entity status, registered agent information, formation date, and entity type.
- Bergen County Regional Chamber of Commerce, located at One Commerce Place, Paramus, NJ 07652 (www.bergenchamber.com), provides business networking and resources but does not maintain official licensing records.
For full business entity information, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services maintains the official business entity database accessible online at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessNameSearch for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities. Sales tax permits and employer registration are handled by the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Professional licenses (attorneys, physicians, contractors, real estate agents, cosmetologists) are issued by various New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs boards accessible at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/verify.
Building permits and certificates of occupancy are issued by individual municipal building departments in each of Bergen County's 70 municipalities; zoning information and land use applications are similarly handled locally. Bergen County Department of Planning and Engineering at One Bergen County Plaza reviews certain subdivisions and site plans. County health permits for food establishments are issued by municipal health departments or Bergen County Department of Health Services.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Bergen County are administered by Bergen County Clerk, who is the Commissioner of Registration, with offices at One Bergen County Plaza, Room 120, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (phone: 201-336-7020, website: www.bergencountyclerk.org). Voter registration in Bergen County can be completed online through the New Jersey Voter Registration System at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/register, in person at the County Clerk's office or any municipal clerk's office, or by mail using the voter registration application form.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, and view sample ballots through the New Jersey Voter Information Portal at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search.
- In the November 2024 general election, Bergen County recorded approximately 62% voter turnout among registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of New Jersey's most populous county.
- Under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act, citizens can request election related records including poll books, tally sheets, and certain voting machine records, though ballots themselves are sealed and protected.
- Bergen County provides transparency through online posting of unofficial election night results and detailed ward-and-district breakdowns.
New Jersey law requires registration at least 21 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Bergen County operates approximately 550 polling places across its 70 municipalities on Election Day. Several categories of election records are public in Bergen County: voter registration lists (available by OPRA request with restrictions on use per 19:31-18.1), campaign finance reports (filed with ELEC - New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission at www.elec.nj.gov), candidate petition filings, and precinct-level election results.
Official election results are posted on the County Clerk's website and certified by Bergen County Board of Elections. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races for New Jersey's 5th, 9th, and portions of the 3rd congressional districts, plus New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly seats (all 120 legislative seats), and various local offices.
Mail-in ballots (Vote By Mail) are available to all registered Bergen County voters without requiring an excuse; applications can be submitted online through the County Clerk's website, by mail, or in person, with a deadline of 7 days before the election for mail applications. Ballot drop boxes are available at secure locations throughout Bergen County during early voting periods. New Jersey implemented in-person early voting, available at designated locations in Bergen County for nine days prior to Election Day.
Economy & Demographics
Bergen County boasts one of the strongest and most diverse economies in New Jersey, with a 2023 median household income estimated at approximately $101,000, significantly above state and national averages. Bergen County's economy is anchored by its proximity to New York City, making it a prime location for corporate headquarters and regional offices. Major employers include Hackensack University Medical Center (one of the state's largest healthcare systems), Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, and CarePoint Health.
The retail sector thrives with major shopping destinations including Garden State Plaza in Paramus (one of the largest malls in the nation), The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack, and Bergen Town Center. Corporate headquarters located in Bergen County include Hertz Global Holdings (Estero moved but formerly headquartered), Hartz Mountain Industries, Stryker Corporation facilities, and numerous financial services firms. The logistics and warehousing sector is significant in the southern municipalities near the Meadowlands.
Bergen County's unemployment rate typically runs 2.5-3.5%, below state averages, reflecting strong job market conditions. Key economic sectors include healthcare and social assistance (employing over 75,000), retail trade (60,000+), professional and business services (55,000+), education services, and finance/insurance. Tourism contributes substantially through the Meadowlands Sports Complex (MetLife Stadium, American Dream mega-mall) attracting millions of visitors annually.
Bergen County benefits from excellent transportation infrastructure including Interstate 80, Interstate 95, Route 4, Route 17, the George Washington Bridge, and multiple rail connections via NJ Transit. Recent economic development has focused on transit-oriented development near train stations, mixed-use redevelopment projects in older downtown areas, and expansion of healthcare facilities. Bergen County's commercial property values remain among the highest in New Jersey, reflecting continued business investment and economic vitality.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search Online | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Lookup | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail Required | Business: Yes: State Database Online | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 9/10, Bergen County provides excellent digital access to most public records with online portals for property searches, court case lookup, inmate information, and election data, though vital records still require traditional in-person or mail requests.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Bergen County
Explore public records for 60 cities and communities in Bergen County, New Jersey.