After your divorce is finalized in New Jersey, you may need official documentation to prove your divorce occurred. Understanding the difference between divorce certificates and divorce decrees, knowing where to request these documents, and following the proper procedures ensures you obtain the records you need for legal, financial, or personal purposes.
Whether you're changing your name, remarrying, updating insurance policies, or handling other matters requiring proof of divorce, obtaining a certified copy of your divorce documents from the proper New Jersey authority is essential.
Divorce Certificates vs. Divorce Decrees
New Jersey maintains two types of divorce documentation, each serving different purposes and obtained through different agencies.
Divorce Certificate
A divorce certificate is a simple, vital record document that proves a divorce occurred. It contains basic information, including the county of venue, docket number, names of both parties, and the date of the Final Judgment of Divorce. The certificate is stamped with the Seal of the Superior Court, but does not include specific terms or conditions of the divorce.
Divorce Decree (Final Judgment of Divorce)
The divorce decree is the actual court order that ended your marriage and established the specific terms of your divorce. This comprehensive document includes decisions about property division, spousal support, child custody, child support, and all other matters resolved in your divorce case.
When to Use Each Document
Use a divorce certificate when you simply need to prove that a divorce occurred, such as for remarriage, name changes, or updating personal records. Request a copy of the divorce decree when you need to enforce court decisions or require detailed information about the terms of your divorce settlement.
Where to Obtain New Jersey Divorce Records
New Jersey divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court system rather than the Department of Health, which handles other vital records like birth and marriage certificates.
Superior Court Clerk's Office
All divorce cases in New Jersey are filed and heard in the Family Division of the Superior Court at the county level. After a case is completed and a Final Judgment of Divorce is issued, the case is closed, and records are eventually transferred to the Superior Court Records Center in Trenton for storage and archiving.
Location Depends on the Divorce Year
The location of your divorce records depends on when your divorce was finalized. Recent divorce records may still be at the county Family Division where your divorce took place. Older records are typically stored at the Superior Court Records Center warehouse in Trenton.
New Jersey Department of Health
While the Department of Health website provides information about divorce records, it directs all requests to the Superior Court Records Center. Unlike birth and death certificates, divorce decrees are not available through the Department of Health.
How to Request a Divorce Certificate
Obtaining a divorce certificate is often the simplest and most cost-effective option when you need basic proof of divorce.
What's Included
The certificate contains the county where the divorce occurred, the docket number assigned to your case, the full names of both parties (plaintiff and defendant), and the date the Final Judgment of Divorce was entered. It bears the official Seal of the Superior Court, making it an acceptable legal document for most purposes.
Contact Information
To request a divorce certificate, contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100. You can also submit requests through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system or by mail.
Required Information
When requesting a certificate, provide as much information as possible including the docket number (which starts with M or FM), the county where the divorce took place, the approximate year the divorce occurred, and the first and last names of both parties (plaintiff and defendant).
Fees
The fee for a divorce certificate is nominal, typically around $10, making it an affordable option for those who simply need proof that a divorce occurred.
Requesting a Certified Copy of Your Divorce Decree
When you need the complete divorce decree with all terms and conditions, you must request a certified copy from the Superior Court.
Who Can Request
Divorce documents are confidential records. Only parties to the case or their attorney of record can obtain copies without a court order. If you're a party requesting your own records, you must include a valid state ID. Anyone else must provide a court order directing the clerk to release the documents.
Information Needed
Provide the docket number (M or FM number), case title (plaintiff name vs. defendant name), county of venue, and specify that you want a Final Judgment of Divorce. If you don't have the docket number, provide the first and last names of both parties, the county where the divorce took place, and the approximate year.
Locating Your Records
Use your docket number to determine where your records are stored. The last two digits of the docket number indicate the case year. For example, "FM-01-07500-00" means the case was filed in 2000. Check the Superior Court's Dissolution Files Inventory chart to see if your case is stored at the Records Center in Trenton or still at the county Family Division.
Minimum Fee
The minimum fee for a certified copy of a Final Judgment of Divorce is $10, though additional fees may apply if property settlement agreements or other documents are not contained within the judgment itself.
Types of Certified Copies Available
The Superior Court offers several types of certified documents depending on how you plan to use them.
- Plain Copy: A plain photocopy of the court document without certification.
- Certified Copy: A photocopy with an official stamp and the Superior Court Clerk or Deputy Clerk's signature attesting to the document's authenticity. This is the most common type requested and is accepted for most legal purposes.
- Exemplified Copy: Includes the clerk's attestation and seal of the court, plus a certificate from a judge that the attestation is in proper form. This is typically requested when the document must be proved or admitted in other courts within the United States.
- Triple Exemplified Copy: Contains additional certifications including the judge certifying the form of attestation and the clerk certifying the judge's authority.
- Apostille: For international use in countries that subscribe to the Hague Treaty, you must first obtain an exemplified copy from the Superior Court Clerk's Office, then forward it to the New Jersey Division of Revenue for the apostille certification.
How to Submit Your Request
The Superior Court offers multiple methods for requesting divorce records to accommodate different needs and preferences.
Online Through JEDS
Complete a Records Request Form and submit it through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) system. Choose "SCCO" (Superior Court Clerk's Office) as your division, then select the appropriate county.
By Mail
If you don't have computer access, mail your completed request form with payment to the Superior Court Clerk's Office, Attention: Customer Access, at the Trenton Records Center.
In Person
You can submit requests in person at the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Cash payments are accepted in person, though checks and money orders are preferred.
Payment Methods
Payment is accepted by check or money order payable to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Cash is only accepted for in-person requests. Only checks with pre-printed names are accepted. Attorneys may use their Superior Court Attorney Collateral Account.
Important Reminders
Divorce records contain sensitive personal and financial information. New Jersey courts protect these records by limiting access to parties involved in the case, their attorneys, or others with court orders.
Before submitting your request, verify that you have accurate information about the county, year, and parties involved. Incorrect information delays processing.
Once you receive your certified divorce documents, make several photocopies for your records. Store the original certified copy in a safe place and use photocopies for routine purposes.
For questions about submitted records requests, email the Superior Court Clerk's Office at the appropriate address provided on the court website, or call the Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100.
Getting Help With Your Request
If you're having difficulty obtaining your New Jersey divorce certificate or decree, several resources can help.
- Superior Court Customer Service: The Customer Service Unit can help locate your docket number, determine where your records are stored, and explain the request process. Call 609-421-6100 during business hours.
- County Family Division: If your divorce is recent, contact the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where your divorce took place for guidance on accessing records still at the county level.
- Legal Assistance: If you need copies of divorce records but weren't a party to the case, consult with an attorney about obtaining a court order for access to the documents.
Whether you need a simple divorce certificate to prove your divorce occurred or a complete certified copy of your divorce decree with all terms and conditions, understanding the proper channels for requesting New Jersey divorce records ensures you obtain the documentation you need efficiently and cost-effectively. Contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office with questions or to begin your request today.