About Union County
Union County is located in the northeastern part of New Jersey, situated in the heart of the New York metropolitan area. Union County Seat is Elizabeth, which is also Union County's largest city and the fourth most populous county in New Jersey. Union County was established on March 19, 1857, formed from portions of Essex County. Union County includes approximately 103 square miles and has a population of over 575,000 residents, making it one of the most densely populated counties in the United States.
- Union County Register of Deeds and Mortgages office handles property transactions and land records.
Major municipalities include Elizabeth, Plainfield, Union Township, Linden, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Cranford, and Summit. Union County is home to notable landmarks including the Watchung Reservation, New Jersey's first county park established in 1921, Warinanco Park, and the historic Liberty Hall Museum in Union. Union County Administration Building is located at Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth, housing various county departments.
Union County Clerk's Office, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, maintains vital records, election records, and certain business filings. Union County Board of Taxation and County Tax Administrator oversee property assessments and tax appeals. Union County's strategic location adjacent to Newark Liberty International Airport and its extensive rail and highway network make it a significant commercial and residential hub in the New York-New Jersey region.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Union County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order throughout Union County. It provides a range of services including patrolling unincorporated areas, managing Union County jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. The office is also involved in various community outreach programs and initiatives meant to enhancing public safety and supporting the community relations.
Police Departments
Union County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Union County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Elizabeth Police Department, Plainfield Police Department, and Union Township Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective city or township, handling local law enforcement duties. These agencies often collaborate on major investigations and public safety initiatives, sharing resources and expertise to effectively address crime and ensure community safety across Union County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Union County Sheriff's Office, located at Union County Courthouse Complex at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, provides law enforcement services countywide. Union County Jail houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving sentences of less than one year.
- Requests for arrest records should be directed to the specific municipal police department where the arrest occurred or to Union County Prosecutor's Office at 32 Rahway Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
- Mugshots and booking photos may be available through OPRA requests, though some information may be redacted for ongoing investigations or privacy concerns.
Inmate lookup is available through Union County Sheriff's Office website, where the public can search for current inmates by name or booking number. The roster typically includes booking dates, charges, and bond information. ment, Roselle Police Department, and departments in all twenty-one municipalities.
Arrest records and police reports in New Jersey are subject to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), 47:1A-1 et seq. Union County Prosecutor's Office maintains records of arrests and prosecutions occurring throughout Union County and coordinates major investigations across municipal boundaries.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Union County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the New Jersey State Police, which provides full criminal history information. The New Jersey State Police offers additional resources for Union County residents seeking detailed criminal background checks and records.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Union County are maintained by Union County Sheriff's Office and the various municipal police departments within Union County. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting these agencies directly. An arrest record typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and the arresting officer's information. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) governs the accessibility of these records, for public access and public access to government documents.
Jail & Inmate Records
Union County Jail, located in Elizabeth, is the primary detention facility for people arrested within Union County. The booking process involves photographing, fingerprinting, and recording personal information of the detainee. Visitation rules at the facility require visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict security protocols.
- In New Jersey, the bond or bail process allows detainees to be released pending trial, and information on posting bail can be obtained through the jail's administration.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
In Union County, mugshots are taken and retained by Union County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or through third-party public records websites. New Jersey does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may petition for expungement under certain circumstances, which could lead to the removal of associated mugshots from public access.
Courts & Case Records
Union County is served by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union County Vicinage, located at Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. The Superior Court handles civil, criminal, family, and general equity matters. The court website is www.njcourts.gov, where case lookup is available through the public access system. New Jersey courts maintain the Automated Case Management System (ACMS) for Superior Court cases and the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system for certain document access.
- Online case searches are available at no charge through the New Jersey Courts website, though certified copies and detailed documents require fees ranging from $5 to $10 per document.
- The Surrogate can be contacted through the office’s website. Marriage license applications are processed through the local registrars in each county and Union County Clerk's Office.
Municipal courts in Union County operate in each of the twenty-one municipalities and handle traffic violations, disorderly persons offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings for indictable offenses. The Elizabeth Municipal Court, Plainfield Municipal Court, and other municipal courts maintain their own records and schedules. Court records in New Jersey are governed by Court Rule 1:38, which establishes public access to most court records while protecting certain confidential information.
Union County Surrogate's Court, also located at 2 Broad Street, handles probate matters, estate administration, and guardianship proceedings.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Union County are maintained by Union County Register of Deeds and Mortgages, located at Union County Courthouse Complex, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. The Register's office can be reached at and operates under www.ucnj.org. The office maintains records of all deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, releases, assignments, and other documents affecting real property in Union County. These records date back to Union County's formation in 1857 and earlier records from Essex County.
- The Register's office provides an online property records search system accessible through Union County website, allowing users to search by owner name, block and lot, address, or document book and page.
- Many documents are available for viewing online at no charge, though certified copies require fees of $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
- Hours of operation for the Register's office are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Researchers can request copies in person, by mail, or through online services.
Vital Records
Vital records for Union County are maintained by both local registrars and the New Jersey Department of Health, Vital Statistics Registration Unit. Birth certificates for births occurring in Union County municipalities are filed with the local registrar of the county where the birth occurred and with the State of New Jersey. Certified copies of birth certificates can be requested through Union County Clerk's Office at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, phone, or through the New Jersey State Registrar, PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370.
- The current fee for a certified birth certificate is $25.00, with additional copies ordered at the same time costing $2.00 each.
- Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests and same-day for in-person requests if the record is on file.
- Death certificates follow the same procedure and fee structure, with requests handled by local registrars or the state office.
- The fee for a marriage license is $28.00.
- Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional service fees.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Union County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Union County Clerk's Office at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, phone, processes trade name certifications (doing business as or DBA filings) for businesses operating in Union County under assumed names. The filing fee is $50.00, and these records are public and searchable at the Clerk's office.
- The online business entity search is free and provides information on entity status, registered agent, formation date, and filing history.
- The Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce, serving Union County and surrounding areas, can be reached at www.gatewaychamber.com and provides business resources and networking.
For full business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and professional entities, the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services maintains the business entity database at www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue. Professional licenses in New Jersey are issued by various state boards under the Division of Consumer Affairs, accessible at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov. Building permits and zoning matters are handled at the municipal level by each of the twenty-one municipalities in Union County.
Union County Division of Planning maintains zoning maps and coordinates land use planning across Union County. Sales tax permits are issued by the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Local chambers also operate in Elizabeth, Westfield, Summit, Cranford, and other municipalities throughout Union County.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Union County, New Jersey are administered by Union County Clerk's Office, located at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. The Elections Division can be contacted through the office’s website, and election information is available at www.ucnj.org/county-clerk/elections. Voter registration in New Jersey can be completed online at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/register, in person at the County Clerk's office or any motor vehicle agency, or by mail. The voter registration deadline is 21 days before any election. New Jersey offers same-day registration during the early voting period.
- Union County voter turnout in the 2024 general election was approximately 68-72% of registered voters, consistent with New Jersey's typically strong presidential year turnout.
- New Jersey offers vote-by-mail ballots (formerly called absentee ballots) to all registered voters.
- New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (47:1A-1 et seq.) applies to election records, allowing citizens to request voter history, election results data, and other non-confidential election administration records.
To find your polling place in Union County, voters can use the online polling place locator at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search or contact the County Clerk's Elections Division. Election records that are public in New Jersey include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) at www.elec.nj.gov, candidate petition filings maintained by the County Clerk, and official election results by district and county. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races, one U.S. Senate seat, all 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly, and various county and municipal offices. Applications can be submitted online through the County Clerk's website, by mail, or in person, with a deadline of seven days before the election for mail applications.
Early in-person voting is available at designated locations throughout Union County beginning nine days before Election Day. Union County Board of Elections, appointed by political parties, oversees election administration alongside the County Clerk.
Economy & Demographics
Union County's economy is characterized by diverse industries including healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, transportation, and professional services. Union County's proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport and the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal provides significant economic advantages.
- Manufacturing heritage remains important with food processing, pharmaceuticals, and specialty manufacturing maintaining presence throughout Union County.
Major employers in Union County include Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, Wakefern Food Corporation in Elizabeth, PSE&G (Public Service Electric & Gas), Merck pharmaceutical facilities, Reebok International headquarters in Canton, and Bed Bath & Beyond corporate offices in Union. The median household income in Union County is approximately $88,000, above the national average but varying significantly by county, with Summit and Westfield having median incomes exceeding $150,000 while Elizabeth and Plainfield have lower median incomes around $50,000-$60,000. Union County unemployment rate typically tracks close to the New Jersey state average, approximately 3-4% as of recent years.
Key economic sectors include healthcare and social assistance employing over 15% of the workforce, retail trade, professional and technical services, educational services, and manufacturing. The Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal is one of the busiest container ports on the East Coast, generating thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity. Union County has invested in economic development through Union County Economic Development Corporation and targeted redevelopment in urban centers.
Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway has spurred downtown revitalization.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search Online | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail Required | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 8.5/10, Union County provides excellent digital access to property records, court case lookups, inmate rosters, and election information through county and state websites, with strong OPRA compliance.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Union County
Explore public records for 20 cities and communities in Union County, New Jersey.