Garfield Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Garfield, New Jersey government websites.

  About Garfield City Government
Council Members 6 Members

The governing body of Garfield, New Jersey, is the City Council, which consists of 6 members elected at-large. Each council member serves a term of 4 years. Elections are held in odd-numbered years, allowing residents to vote for their representatives who will make decisions on local legislation and governance.Meeting schedules are available through the local government office.

  About Garfield, New Jersey

The city is also home to the vibrant neighborhood of "The Hill," known for its residential character and community engagement. Economically, Garfield has a strong industrial base, with a significant presence of manufacturing and distribution companies, contributing to its local economy and employment opportunities. The city operates under a Mayor-Council form of government, with the current Mayor being Richard A. Rigoglioso.

  Garfield, New Jersey Public Records & Government Resources

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement in this part of Bergen County involves coordination among several agencies. While Garfield has its own municipal police department, the Bergen County Sheriff's Office provides countywide support. Other municipal departments serving nearby communities include those in Hackensack, Paramus, and Fort Lee. Each department maintains jurisdiction within its own borders, but regional cooperation on major crimes and emergencies runs through the county's centralized resources and specialized units that cross municipal lines when situations demand it.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Bergen County Jail in Hackensack functions as the primary detention facility for all of Bergen County, including those arrested in Garfield. When someone is booked, they go through fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information. The Bergen County Sheriff's Office website hosts an online inmate lookup tool for locating recently arrested individuals. Visitation at the facility requires advance scheduling, following rules specific to this detention center.

Arrest Records

Arrest records throughout Bergen County fall under the jurisdiction of both the Sheriff's Office and individual municipal police departments. Those seeking these records—whether residents or attorneys—must submit formal requests to the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. A typical arrest record contains the individual's personal information, details about the offense, and identification of the arresting agency. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act governs how these records can be accessed, establishing the legal framework for public availability across the state.

Court Records

The Garfield Municipal Court handles cases involving local ordinances, traffic violations, and minor criminal offenses. Court records, including dockets and case files, remain in the custody of the court itself. Anyone seeking access to these documents can contact the Garfield Municipal Court at http://www.garfieldnj.org/content/2271/2217/default.aspx.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Bergen County covers felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by the Bergen County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. 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 Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for residents seeking background checks.

Public Records Access

The City of Garfield keeps municipal meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and other official documents available to the public. Most of these records can be found on the city's website at http://www.garfieldnj.org/. For documents not posted online or for specific requests, the Garfield City Clerk's office is the primary custodian. That office can be reached at http://www.garfieldnj.org/content/2188/2230/2378.aspx for assistance with locating or obtaining particular records.

Vital Records

Vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates for Garfield residents, are maintained by the Bergen County Clerk's Office. These records can be requested through the Bergen County website at https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/county-clerk/vital-records. The Garfield City Clerk's office can also assist residents with obtaining copies of these records.

Business & Licensing Records

A diverse business community operates within Garfield, and the city maintains licensing information and a business registry to support local commerce. Business owners can access relevant forms and resources through the City of Garfield website at http://www.garfieldnj.org/. The Garfield Economic Development Corporation offers additional support and guidance for those running or starting businesses in the area.

Economy & Demographics

Garfield has a diverse economy with a mix of manufacturing, retail, and service industries. Economic data and information about the city's largest employers and industries can be found on the City of Garfield website at http://www.garfieldnj.org/. The Garfield Economic Development Corporation also provides resources and support for local businesses and economic development initiatives.

Elections & Voter Records

ELECTION HUB for Garfield, New Jersey voters Voters in Garfield work through the Bergen County Board of Elections, which operates from One Bergen County Plaza in Hackensack, NJ 07601. The office can be reached at (201) 336-6100, and additional information is available at https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/board-of-elections. Residents can register to vote online through the New Jersey Division of Elections website at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/register. Registration closes 21 days before any election. A valid New Jersey driver's license or non-driver ID card is required to complete the process.
As an incorporated city, Garfield holds municipal elections for mayor and city council in November of even-numbered years. The next local elections are scheduled for November 2024. Candidate information appears on the city website at https://www.garfieldnj.org as elections approach. Polling locations can be verified on the Bergen County Board of Elections website at https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/board-of-elections/polling-places. New Jersey law treats voter registration records, campaign finance reports, and vote tallies as public information. These records can be requested from the Bergen County Board. In the 2024 general election, Bergen County recorded a voter turnout of 67.2 percent. The November 2026 ballot will feature the New Jersey gubernatorial race along with elections for the State Senate and Assembly. New Jersey provides both in-person early voting and mail-in options. Applications for mail-in ballots must be submitted at least 7 days before an election, and completed ballots must arrive by 8 pm on Election Day.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: 7 | Property: 8 | Arrest Logs: 7 | Vital Records: 7 | Business: 7 | Elections: 8 | Overall: 7.5/10 — Garfield and Bergen County, New Jersey have generally good public records access, with election information and property records being the most transparent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the school district and education performance data for Garfield, Bergen County, New Jersey?
Public schools in Garfield, Bergen County, New Jersey are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Bergen County school administration or the New Jersey Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.
Crime data for Garfield, Bergen County, New Jersey is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Bergen County Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the Garfield police department or the Bergen County Sheriff's Office.
The Garfield Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Bergen County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.
The Garfield Public Library serves residents of Garfield and the surrounding Bergen County area in New Jersey. Contact the library directly or visit the Bergen County library system website for the current address, phone number, hours of operation, and available services.
Fingerprinting services for Garfield, New Jersey residents are available through the local police department and authorized third-party providers in Bergen County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact the Garfield Police Department or the Bergen County Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The New Jersey Department of Justice or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.
Vital records for Garfield, Bergen County, New Jersey including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses are available through the New Jersey Department of Health. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Bergen County Clerk's office may also process vital record requests. You will need valid photo identification and proof of eligibility. Processing times and fees vary by office and request method.
To register to vote in Garfield, New Jersey, residents can register online through the New Jersey Division of Elections's website, by mail, or in person at the Bergen County elections office. New Jersey requires voters to be U. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the New Jersey Division of Elections's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Garfield, contact the Bergen County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
The City of Garfield maintains a wide range of public records, including municipal meeting minutes, ordinances, and resolutions, which are available on the city's website at http://www.garfieldnj.org/. The Garfield City Clerk's office is the primary custodian of these records and can be contacted at http://www.garfieldnj.org/content/2188/2230/2378.aspx for further information or to request specific documents.
Vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates for Garfield residents, are maintained by the Bergen County Clerk's Office. These records can be requested through the county website at https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/county-clerk/vital-records. The Garfield City Clerk's office can also assist residents with obtaining copies of these records.
Garfield is home to a diverse array of businesses, and the city maintains a business registry and licensing information. Business owners can find relevant forms and resources on the City of Garfield website at http://www.garfieldnj.org/. The Garfield Economic Development Corporation also provides support and information for local businesses.
  Nearby Cities in Bergen County, New Jersey

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StateNew Jersey
CountyBergen
Population32472
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