New Jersey divorce records document the legal dissolution of marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships, providing official proof that a marriage has ended and detailing the terms under which the separation occurred. Whether you need divorce records for remarriage, name changes, financial matters, or legal proceedings, understanding how to access these public records through the New Jersey court system ensures you obtain the correct documentation for your specific needs.
Unlike many states, New Jersey does not classify divorce records as vital records maintained by the Department of Health. Instead, divorce records are court records maintained by the Superior Court Clerk's Office and the Family Division of the Superior Court in each county. This distinction affects where and how you request copies of divorce decrees, certificates, and related court documents.
Jersey divorce records encompass various documents created throughout the divorce process, from initial filing through final judgment and beyond.
What Divorce Records Include
Comprehensive divorce records contain the Complaint for Divorce initiating the case, the Summons notifying the defendant spouse, all motions and responses filed during proceedings, Case Information Statements detailing financial circumstances, settlement agreements negotiating terms, transcripts of court hearings and testimony, and the Final Judgment of Divorce issued by the judge. These documents collectively tell the complete story of how the marriage ended and what terms govern post-divorce obligations.
Docket Number Importance
Every divorce case receives a unique docket number that serves as the essential identifier for locating records. Docket numbers begin with either "FM" or "M" followed by digits indicating the county code and case year. For example, "FM-01-07500-00" indicates a Family case filed in Atlantic County (code 01) in the year 2000. Understanding your docket number is crucial for requesting records efficiently.
Public vs. Confidential Information
While divorce records are generally public records under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act, certain information receives protection. Documents containing sensitive details about domestic violence, children's personal information, or sealed by court order may have restricted access. Additionally, only parties to the divorce, their attorneys of record, or individuals with court orders can obtain certified copies of divorce documents.
Divorce Certificate vs. Divorce Decree
Understanding the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree helps you request the appropriate document for your specific needs.
Divorce Certificate
A Certificate of Divorce provides a summary document containing essential statistical information, including names of both parties, the docket number assigned by the court, the county where the divorce was granted, and the date the Final Judgment of Divorce was entered. The certificate bears the Seal of the Court but contains no details about property division, child custody, support obligations, or other terms of the divorce settlement. Certificates cost $10 and suffice for purposes like proving divorce for remarriage or documenting name changes.
Final Judgment of Divorce
The divorce decree (officially titled Final Judgment of Divorce) is the comprehensive court order detailing all terms of the divorce settlement or trial decision. This document specifies property division arrangements, spousal support (alimony) obligations and duration, child custody and parenting time schedules, child support amounts and payment terms, division of debts and liabilities, name change authorizations, and any other rights and responsibilities of the divorced parties. The decree serves as the enforceable court order governing post-divorce obligations.
Choosing the Right Document
Request a divorce certificate when you simply need proof that a divorce occurred and was finalized. Request a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce when you need detailed information about divorce terms for purposes like enforcing support obligations, documenting property ownership changes, modifying custody arrangements, or providing comprehensive proof of divorce settlement terms for financial or legal matters.
Where Divorce Records Are Maintained
The location of your Jersey divorce records depends primarily on when the divorce was finalized, with newer cases maintained differently than older archived records.
Active and Recent Cases
Divorce cases still in progress or recently closed remain at the county Family Division where they were filed and heard. Each county's Superior Court Family Division maintains records for cases that haven't yet been transferred to central archives. If your divorce occurred recently (within the past few years, depending on the county), contact the Family Division in the county where the divorce took place to access records.
Archived Cases
After divorce cases close and sufficient time passes, records are transferred to the Superior Court Records Center in Trenton for long-term archival storage. The Records Center maintains a Dissolution Files Inventory showing which case years have been transferred from each county. The transfer timeline varies by county, with some transferring records more promptly than others. Most divorce records from cases closed more than several years ago reside at the Records Center.
Determining Location
To determine whether your divorce records are at the county courthouse or the Records Center, you need to know the county where the divorce occurred and the year the case was filed (identifiable from the docket number). The Superior Court Clerk's Office Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100 can help locate records if you're unsure whether they've been transferred to the Records Center.
How to Request Divorce Records
New Jersey provides several methods for requesting copies of divorce records, each with specific procedures and requirements.
Online Viewing Through FACTS
The Family Automated Case Tracking System (FACTS) allows remote electronic access to view divorce case information for a fee of $1 per minute of access time. FACTS provides details including motion dispositions, court proceedings summaries, lists of documents filed in the case, names of parties and attorneys, and current case status. However, FACTS access requires enrollment through the Electronic Access Program by submitting forms to the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Contact PublicAccess.Mailbox@njcourts.gov with questions about enrollment.
Requesting Certified Copies
To obtain official certified copies of divorce records, complete a Records Request Form specifying the documents you need, the docket number (or party names, county, and approximate year if you don't have the docket number), and the type of copy required (plain, certified, exemplified, etc.). Submit requests through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) system by choosing "SCCO" as your division, or mail completed forms with payment to the Superior Court Clerk's Office at P.O. Box 971, Trenton, NJ 08625.
In-Person Requests
You can submit records requests in person at the R.J. Hughes Justice Complex, Superior Court Clerk's Office, 25 West Market Street, Trenton, NJ 08625. In-person submission allows you to pay with cash if preferred, though checks and money orders (payable to Treasurer-State of New Jersey) are accepted for all submission methods.
Types of Copies and Authentication
Different types of copies serve different purposes, with varying levels of court authentication and associated costs.
Plain Copy
A plain photocopy of the court record costs $0.05 per letter-size page or $0.07 per legal-size page. Plain copies lack authentication and serve informal purposes where official certification isn't required.
Certified Copy
A certified copy includes a plain copy with a stamp and signature of the Superior Court Clerk or Deputy Clerk attesting to the document's authenticity. Certified copies of Final Judgments of Divorce cost $25 and are appropriate for most official purposes within New Jersey including refinancing, insurance matters, and local legal proceedings.
Seal of the Court
The Superior Court Clerk can affix the court's official seal to certified copies when requested, providing additional authentication without changing the base certification fee.
Exemplified Copy
An exemplified copy includes the clerk's attestation, the court seal, and a certificate from a judge verifying the attestation's proper form. Exemplified copies cost $50 plus plain copy fees and are typically required when divorce records must be presented or admitted in courts outside New Jersey, including other states or territories of the United States.
Triple Exemplified Copy
This highest level of authentication includes the judge's certification of the attestation and the clerk's certification of both the judge's authority and the attestation form. Triple exemplified copies cost $60 and may be required for international matters or specific jurisdictional requirements.
Required Information for Record Requests
Providing complete, accurate information on your records request form expedites processing and ensures you receive the correct documents.
Essential Information
Include the docket number (FM or M prefix followed by identifying digits), full names of both parties as they appeared in the divorce case, the county where the divorce was filed and heard, and specific documents you're requesting (Final Judgment, property settlement agreement, etc.). The more specific your request, the faster the staff can locate and process your records.
When You Don't Have the Docket Number
If you don't know your docket number, provide the first and last names of both plaintiff and defendant as they appeared in court documents, the county where the divorce took place, and the approximate year when the divorce occurred (or when the case was filed if different). The Superior Court Records Center can conduct searches to locate your docket number, though this may extend processing time.
Identification Requirements
When requesting divorce documents, parties to the case must include copies of valid state-issued identification. Only parties to the divorce, their attorneys of record with proper identification, or individuals presenting court orders directing the release of documents can obtain certified copies. Third parties cannot access confidential divorce records without proper authorization.
Access Restrictions and Confidentiality
While divorce records are generally public documents, New Jersey law protects certain information and restricts access to maintain privacy and safety.
Who Can Access Records
Anyone can view basic divorce case information through FACTS or public record searches. However, certified copies of divorce decrees and detailed court documents are only released to parties to the divorce (with valid ID), attorneys of record for the case, or other individuals presenting court orders specifically authorizing release of documents. This restriction protects parties' privacy and prevents unauthorized access to financial and personal information contained in divorce files.
Protected Information
Courts may redact or withhold information related to domestic violence, including addresses and identifying information for protected parties, details about abuse or protective orders, children's personal information, including addresses and identifying details, Social Security number’s and detailed financial account information beyond what's necessary for understanding judgments, and any information sealed by court order for safety or privacy reasons.
Obtaining Access asa Third Party
If you're not a party to the divorce but have a legitimate need for divorce records, you must petition the court for an order directing the release of documents. This typically requires demonstrating a legal interest in the information, such as probate matters, creditor claims, or other proceedings where divorce terms affect legal rights or obligations.
Common Uses for Divorce Records
Understanding why people need divorce records helps clarify which documents to request for your specific purpose.
Name Changes
A divorce certificate usually suffices for changing your name back to a maiden name or previous surname on driver's licenses, Social Security records, passports, and other identification documents. The certificate proves the divorce occurred and typically includes any name change authorization from the court.
Remarriage
Many states and countries require proof of divorce before issuing new marriage licenses. A divorce certificate typically meets this requirement, though some jurisdictions may request certified copies of the Final Judgment of Divorce showing the divorce was finalized.
Financial Matters
Refinancing mortgages, obtaining loans, settling estates, and various financial transactions may require divorce records proving property ownership, release from joint debts, or termination of spousal interests. Lenders typically require certified copies of relevant portions of the Final Judgment showing property division.
Legal Proceedings
Modifying child custody or support requires the original divorce decree showing current arrangements and when they were established. Enforcement actions for unpaid support or alimony require certified copies of judgments specifying obligations. Bankruptcy and probate proceedings may require divorce records proving debt allocation or beneficiary status changes.
Costs and Payment Methods
Understanding fee structures helps you budget for obtaining the divorce records you need.
Standard Copy Fees
Divorce certificates cost $10, certified copies of Final Judgments of Divorce cost $25 (note that property settlement agreements attached to or separate from judgments may incur additional per-page copy fees), exemplified copies cost $50 plus plain copy fees, and triple exemplified copies cost $60 plus plain copy fees.
Additional Costs
Court transcripts from divorce hearings cost $4.25 to $7.25 per page, depending on length and requested turnaround time, charged by court reporters rather than the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Requests for multiple documents or extensive case files incur per-page plain copy fees for documents beyond the basic judgment.
Payment Methods
Payment is accepted via checks or money orders (only checks with pre-printed names are accepted), payable to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey," cash in person only at the Superior Court Clerk's Office, or, for attorneys, payment through Superior Court Attorney Collateral Accounts. The exact fee for extensive records requests cannot be determined until processing occurs, so provide daytime telephone numbers on request forms for fee confirmation.
Working With Family Law Attorneys
While you can request divorce records independently, family law attorneys often provide valuable assistance in navigating the court system and obtaining needed documents.
Attorney Access Advantages
Experienced family law attorneys know efficient routes through the court system for obtaining records, have established relationships with court staff facilitating faster processing, understand which documents are needed for specific legal purposes, can quickly locate archived records using case information, and can electronically access records through professional court systems.
When Attorney Help Is Valuable
Consider consulting an attorney when you need records for modifying custody or support orders, enforcing divorce terms through contempt proceedings, clarifying ambiguous provisions in divorce decrees, using divorce records in other legal proceedings like bankruptcy or estate matters, or accessing sealed or restricted portions of divorce files requiring court orders.
Cost-Benefit Considerations
Attorney assistance with simple record requests may not be cost-effective if you only need a divorce certificate or a basic judgment copy. However, when divorce records are needed for complex legal matters or when substantial rights depend on properly interpreting and using divorce documents, attorney guidance protects your interests.
Protecting Your Divorce Records
Once you obtain copies of your divorce records, protecting these sensitive documents ensures your privacy and prevents identity theft or misuse.
Secure Storage
Store certified copies of divorce records in secure locations such as fireproof safes, safety deposit boxes, or secure digital storage with encryption. Avoid leaving divorce records in easily accessible places where visitors, service providers, or others might view sensitive financial and personal information.
Limited Sharing
Only provide divorce records to parties with a legitimate need for the information, such as government agencies, financial institutions, or courts requiring proof of divorce. Never share divorce records on social media or with unauthorized individuals who might misuse the financial, personal, or child-related information contained in documents.
Replacement Copies
If divorce records are lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can request replacement certified copies from the Superior Court Clerk's Office using the same procedures described above. Maintain records of your docket number and divorce details to facilitate replacement requests if originals are lost.
Moving Forward
New Jersey divorce records provide essential documentation of marriage dissolution, containing varying levels of detail depending on whether you obtain simple divorce certificates or comprehensive Final Judgments of Divorce. Understanding the differences between document types, knowing where records are maintained based on your divorce timing, and following proper request procedures ensures you obtain the records you need for remarriage, financial matters, legal proceedings, or other purposes.
Whether your divorce occurred recently or decades ago, the Superior Court Clerk's Office and county Family Divisions maintain accessible systems for obtaining certified copies of divorce records. While the process involves specific forms, fees, and identification requirements, the system provides reasonable access to these important public records while protecting parties' privacy and sensitive information.
If you need divorce records but face complications locating documents, understanding what you need, or using records for legal proceedings, consult with experienced family law attorneys who can guide you through the process and ensure you obtain proper documentation. With the right information and assistance, accessing your New Jersey divorce records becomes a straightforward process, providing you with the official documentation necessary to move forward with your life after divorce.