Union County, New Jersey State Court Records
In New Jersey, the law mandates the maintenance of public agency records that relate to the transaction of public business, such as court records. Union County court records are made publicly available to afford members of the public access to information about judicial proceedings and court decisions, thereby promoting transparency and public accountability. People also use court records for various purposes, including genealogy research, academic research, legal research, compliance checks, and background screenings.
The Superior Court Clerk’s Office is the custodian of superior court records, while specific municipal courts manage their court documents individually. Although court records are related to many other public records like vital records, land records, and criminal records, these other records are managed separately by specific agencies. Notwithstanding, people may find such documents while inspecting court records, as case parties are often required to file them when the case demands.
Are Union County Court Records Public?
Yes. Under Rule 1:38 of the Public Access to Court Records and Administrative Records, members of the public have the right to inspect and copy court records within the custody and control of the judiciary, unless the records in question are exempt by rule or court order. While general records for civil and criminal cases are public, public access is restricted for information pertaining to
- Juvenile cases (e.g., adoption, dependency, and guardianship records)
- Confidential informants
- Child victims of sexual abuse
- Trade secrets
- Active search or arrest warrants
- Mental health evaluation
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Sealed cases
- Confidential personal identifiers (e.g., vehicle plate numbers, social security number, active financial account number, or driver’s license number)
What Information is Available in Union County Court Records?
The following are some public-facing contents of Union County court records, unless the entire case file is sealed or restricted from public access by court order:
- The full name of case parties and attorneys
- Case number and type
- Court filing and hearing dates
- The name of the presiding court
- Docket entries
- The claimed amount
- The charges against a person
- The court’s final disposition
- Case filings, such as subpoenas, pleas, judgments, motions, and petitions
Union County Court Records Search
Interested persons (Union County residents and non-residents alike) can search for and access the county’s court records through any of the following:
- Online Access - cases can be searched online using a statewide search portal. New users are required to register online on the New Jersey Courts website to perform a search. This enables them to create a user ID and password which will be required for logins before a search can be performed. Search criteria are mainly party name and docket number.
For cases filed in any municipal court in the county, visit the Municipal Court Case Search (MCCS) system. A person must have the ticket number, complaint number, drivers license number, or a party name associated with the case to perform a search. Furthermore, record seekers may complete a Records Request Form and submit it through the Judiciary Electronic Document system.
- In-Person Access - Residents of Union County can request court records from the superior court clerk’s office or the specific municipal court administrator’s office during business hours.
Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
While a search fee may not be required, inquirers must pay a fee if they wish to obtain copies.
- Mail and Phone Requests - Mail-in request can be sent to the above address (for open cases) or to the Superior Court Records Center (for closed cases) at
Superior Court Clerk’s Office
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 971
Trenton, NJ 08625-0971
Fees for Court Records in Union County
The following fees are assessed for copies of Union County court records:
- Letter size pages: $0.05
- Legal size pages: $0.07
- Certified Copy: $15.00
- Exemplified Copy (plus the plain copy fees): $50.00
- Seal of the Court: $10.00
- Divorce certificate: $10.00
- Certified Copy of Final Judgment of Divorce: $25.00
Payment methods are mainly checks and money orders payable to the Treasurer-State of New Jersey (for requests addressed to the state’s Superior Court Records Center). Cash is only accepted in person. For more information, contact the superior court clerk.
Union County Courthouse Locations
Below are courthouse addresses and phone numbers for Union County Courts:
Union County Superior Court
Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: (908) 787-1650
Surrogate’s Courts in Union County
Union County Surrogate’s Office
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: (908) 527-4280
Union County Surrogate’s Satellite Office - Cranford
Cranford Community Center
220 Walnut Avenue
Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone: (908) 527-4280
Union County Surrogate’s Satellite Office - Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains Municipal Building
430 Park Avenue, Room 202
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Phone: (908) 527-4280
Union County Surrogate’s Satellite Office - Summit
Summit City Hall
512 Springfield Avenue
Summit, NJ 07901
Phone: (908) 527-4280
Union County Surrogate’s Satellite Office - Union
Union Township Municipal Building
1976 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
Phone: (908) 527-4280
Berkeley Heights Municipal Court
360 Elkwood Avenue
New Providence, NJ 07974
Phone: (908) 743-1055
Fax: (908) 464-3435
Clark Township Municipal Court
315 Westfield Avenue
Clark, NJ 07066
Phone: (732) 381-5395
Fax: (732) 381-9630
Cranford Municipal Court
Cranford Municipal Building
8 Springfield Avenue
Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone: (908) 709-7242
Fax: (908) 709-7244
Elizabeth Municipal Court
One Police Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (908) 558-6800
Fanwood Municipal Court
75 North Martine Avenue
Fanwood, NJ 07023
Phone: (908) 322-6750
Fax: (908) 322-1378
Garwood Municipal Court
403 South Avenue
Garwood, NJ 07027
Phone: (908) 789-0780
Fax: (908) 789-6414
Hillside Township Municipal Court
1409 Liberty Avenue
Hillside, NJ 07205
Phone: (973) 926-1881
Fax: (973) 926-2240
Kenilworth Municipal Court
567 Boulevard
Kenilworth, NJ 07033
Phone: (908) 276-1104
Fax: (908) 276-1597
Linden Municipal Court
301 North Wood Avenue
Linden, NJ 07036
Phone: (908) 474-8429
Fax: (908) 474-8619
Mountainside Municipal Court
1385 US Highway 22 East, Mountainside, NJ 07092
Phone: (908) 232-5335
Fax: (908) 233-6412
New Providence Municipal Court
360 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974
Phone: (908) 665-1454
Fax: (908) 464-3435
Plainfield Municipal Court
325 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Phone: (908) 753-3064
Fax: (908) 753-3030
Rahway Municipal Court
1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ 07065
Phone: (732) 827-2039
Fax: (732) 381-9879
Roselle Municipal Court
210 Chestnut Street, Roselle, NJ 07203
Phone: (908) 245-5600
Fax: (908) 245-9508
Roselle Park Municipal Court
110 East Westfield Avenue
Roselle Park, NJ 07204
Phone: (908) 241-4631
Fax: (908) 241-5719
Scotch Plains Municipal Court
430 Park Avenue
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Phone: (908) 322-6700 ext. 216
Fax: (908) 322-0680
Springfield Municipal Court
100 Mountain Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07081
Phone: (973) 912-2213
Summit Municipal Court
360 Elkwood Avenue
New Providence, NJ 07974
Phone: (908) 273-6112
Fax: (908) 464-3435
Union Township Municipal Court
981 Caldwell Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
Phone: (908) 851-5400
Fax: (908) 851-5256
Westfield Municipal Court
425 East Broad Street
Westfield, NJ 07090
Phone: (908) 789-4060
Fax: (908) 654-1520
Winfield Township Municipal Court
12 Gulfstream Avenue
Winfield, NJ 07036
Phone: (908) 925-3938
Criminal Records Access in Union County
The Superior Court Clerk’s Office handles record requests for criminal case records. To request records, complete the record request form. On the form, make sure to choose Union County as the county and SCCO as the division. The completed form should then be submitted online. Note that fees apply. The requested record will be sent electronically to the email provided by the requester on the request form. With the defendant’s name and county, interested persons can also perform a search online for free.
For in-person searches, visit the Criminal Division Records Room and use public access terminals for docket searches. The New Jersey Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) is the central repository for criminal records in the state and processes statewide criminal background checks for select parties.
Union County Probate Records
The Union County Surrogate Court handles probate matters in the county. Cases handled by this court are mostly estate-related, though it also handles adoption and guardianship. Wills and probate filings are available at the Union County Surrogate Court during business hours, although visits are only by appointment. To obtain records, complete the Records Request Form and allow up to 7 business days for the request to be fulfilled. On the form, a requester must provide their first and last names, cell phone number, email address, and mailing address.
While Union County probate records are public, there may be significant restrictions on certain cases, especially those related to minors, e.g., adoption cases. Thereby making associated records confidential.
County | Court Name | Address | Phone Number | Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Union County | Union County Surrogate Court | 2 Broad Street, Old Annex, Second Floor Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207 | (908) 527-4280 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Union County Family Court Records
Family law matters are handled by the Family Division of the Union County Superior Court. They include child support, divorce, paternity, child custody, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, termination of parental rights, adoption, and juvenile delinquency cases. Although family law cases are generally assumed public, specific cases, such as adoption and juvenile delinquency records, are not public and are only accessible by case parties and persons with a legitimate interest with court authorization.
Public family court records are available through the Superior Court Clerk’s Office. For inquiries, contact the court at (908) 787-1650 (ext. 21280). A statewide search can be performed using the New Jersey Courts search portal. The Superior Court Clerk’s Office at Trenton performs case searches for other superior courts in the state and may assist with a case record search. Online searches require a party name or case number.
Federal Court Records in Union County
Federal law matters originating from Union County are handled by the United States District Court of New Jersey. This court has three courthouse locations across the state-in Camden, Newark, and Trenton-but none in Union County. Common cases heard at this court are bankruptcy cases, firearm violations, and immigration-related cases.
Case records are available through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) for a fee:
- $0.10 per page
- $3.00 per document
- $2.40 per audio file