Guide
Where to Look in New Jersey
New Jersey runs its courts, prisons, business filings, sex offender registry and vital records at the state level, so a search can start with these five offices. Deeds sit with the county clerk.
- NJ Courts civil case public accessStatewide civil cases and judgments; free account needed
- NJ Business Name SearchDivision of Revenue records of corporations and LLCs
- NJ Department of Corrections offender searchPeople in New Jersey state prisons
- NJ Sex Offender RegistryKept by the New Jersey State Police
- NJ Department of Health, Vital StatisticsBirth, marriage and death certificates for eligible requesters
Guide
Official State Sources
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Court Records
Statewide Court Search System
New Jersey has one statewide court system, so a statewide search covers more than in states where each county runs its own courts.
Major County Courts
While the state portal aggregates much data, local municipal courts handle minor offenses. Major county courthouses include Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Camden, Morris, Mercer, Union, and Passaic.
Common Mistake: Relying on Superior Court searches for minor criminal history. In NJ, municipal courts handle disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanors) and traffic violations, which are often searched in a separate municipal court system.
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Property and Tax Records
Property in New Jersey is assessed by the tax assessor of each municipality, and the assessment lists are filed with the county board of taxation. Deeds and mortgages are recorded by the county clerk, or in a few counties by a county register of deeds.
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Business and Licensing Records
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Corrections & Inmate Records
People Search Tip for New Jersey: New Jersey property records use block and lot numbers. Find the block and lot of a property in a tax assessor search first, then use it to search the county deed records.
Privacy Note: the Department of Children and Families runs the Address Confidentiality Program, which lets victims of domestic violence shield their addresses. Daniel's Law also lets judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers keep their home addresses out of public records.
Guide
More New Jersey Record Tools
Combine a people search with New Jersey-specific record searches for a complete profile. These companion directories are already live on PublicRecordCenter.com:
- New Jersey Public RecordsMain state directory, all record types
- About New Jersey RecordsCivic overview & public records law
- People Search GuideHow people-finding actually works
- Genealogy SearchFamily history & ancestry
- Vital RecordsBirth, death, marriage & divorce
- Judgments & LiensCivil judgments & debt records
Straight answers
New Jersey People Search, questions
How do I look up a New Jersey court case by name?
New Jersey Courts lets you search criminal cases by name or county, and criminal judgments by defendant name, SBI number, complaint or indictment number. Civil and foreclosure case jackets can be searched by party name or docket number.
How can I find someone in a New Jersey state prison?
The Department of Corrections Offender Search Engine shows a person's current facility, county of commitment, prison sentence history, current max release date and parole eligibility date.
Who is listed on the New Jersey sex offender registry?
The New Jersey State Police Internet registry lists high risk tier 3 offenders and, with some exceptions, moderate risk tier 2 offenders. Low risk tier 1 offenders are left out by law.
How do I get a New Jersey criminal history record check?
The New Jersey State Police runs fingerprint-based checks of New Jersey records. Schedule fingerprints at an IdentoGO site. A record found shows convictions and pending data only. A clean result comes as a downloadable State Police letter.
Who can order a New Jersey death certificate?
A certified copy goes to a parent, legal guardian, legal representative, spouse or civil union partner, or an adult child, grandchild or sibling, with proof of relationship. Anyone with ID can get an informational certification. The first copy costs $25.
Where can I find old New Jersey birth, marriage and death records?
The New Jersey State Archives keeps births through 1924 and marriages and deaths through 1950. The Office of Vital Statistics and Registry holds the most recent 100 years.
How do I get a copy of a New Jersey divorce?
Ask the Superior Court Clerk's Office for a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce. Give the docket number, or both names, the county and the approximate year. The minimum fee is $10.
Who owns or runs a business in New Jersey?
The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services Business Records Service searches corporations, LLCs and trade names. It also offers standing certificates, status reports and copies of filed corporate and LLC documents.