Salem County, New Jersey State Court Records
Salem County courts create and maintain official records throughout judicial processes. Under Rule 1:38-2 of the New Jersey Court Rules, these records encompass motions, briefs, pleadings, indices, evidentiary exhibits, dockets, calendars, and aggregate data generated in connection with a case.
Individuals seek court records for a wide range of purposes, from legal needs-such as establishing entitlement to a benefit or supporting a claim-to personal, research, or educational interests. Access to and maintenance of Salem County court records, along with other government-held records such as arrest and vital records, is governed by several laws, including the New Jersey Public Records Law, the New Jersey Court Rules, and applicable local ordinances.
Are Salem County Court Records Public?
Yes. Pursuant to Rule 1:38-1 of the New Jersey Court Rules, court records in the custody of the judiciary are generally open to the public for inspection or copying.
However, access applies only to records designated as public. Records that statutes, court rules, or court orders classify as confidential are not available for inspection or copying, even when attached to otherwise public documents. Likewise, records containing an individual's psychiatric, medical, or mental health evaluations are exempt from public access.
Other information that may not appear in a Salem County court record includes memoranda, draft opinions, advisory records and consultative records, sealed indictments, and records relating to individuals participating in recovery programs.
These exemptions are established under Rules 1:38-3 and 1:38-7 of the New Jersey Court Rules.
What Information is Available in Salem County Court Records?
The contents of a Salem County court record vary by case type. However, most court records contain basic case information, including
- Filing date
- Name of the parties
- County case number
- Disposition date
Depending on the nature of the case, the records may also include
- Pleadings
- Motions
- Briefs
- Transcripts
- Dockets entries
- Exhibits, where applicable
- Calendars
Salem County Court Records Search
When searching for Salem County court records, researchers can choose among the channels provided by the judiciary: online, via mail, or in person. A breakdown of the procedure for each channel is provided below.
Online
One of the more convenient resources for Salem County case searches is the New Jersey judiciary's case search tool. The procedure for using this tool depends on the type of case. Criminal case records can be accessed directly by providing a name or a case number. For civil cases or foreclosure cases, users must register or log in to anexisting account. Searches are free; however, users must provide basic case details. Records accessible through this platform are limited.
Record requests can also be completed online and submitted electronically. Requesters may download the record request form, complete it, and submit it online.
In Person
Another option is to make an in-person request. This method allows individuals to inspect hard copies of court records directly. The inquirer typically needs a name or a case number to search for records.
Lastly, county courts also accept record requests by mail. Requesters can complete the record request form and send it by mail. The form should include details to facilitate the search, as well as a contact number. Obtaining copies of records generally incurs a fee. Fees may be paid by debit card, credit card, or check with a pre-printed name. Cash payments are accepted only for in-person requests.
For mail requests, the applicable fee is usually determined after processing, and the requester is then notified.
Fees for Court Records in Salem County
Although basic case searches in Salem County typically do not incur a fee, obtaining copies of records usually does. These charges are published on the New Jersey Courts website. Additionally, N.J.S.A. 22A:2-19 and 22A:2-20 outline circumstances under which the court may charge a fee to furnish records.
Some of the nominal fees that may apply include 5 cents per letter-sized page, 7 cents per legal-sized page, $10 for a court seal, $15 for a certified copy of a court record, and $10 for a certificate of divorce. Requesters may review the state judiciary's fee schedule for additional charges.
Salem County Courthouse Locations
Several courts in Salem County have jurisdiction over specific types of matters. The court with the broadest jurisdiction is the Superior Court, which hears major criminal, civil, tax, and family law cases and serves as the county's primary trial court. The Surrogate's Court oversees probate matters, including cases involving conservatorships, guardianships, wills, and estates. Meanwhile, municipal courts handle matters involving local ordinances and certain minor offenses.
Salem County Superior Court
Salem County Courthouse
92 Market Street
Salem, NJ 08079
Phone: (856) 878-5050
Salem County Surrogate's Court (Satellite)
Pittsgrove Township Municipal Building
989 Centerton Road
Pittsgrove, NJ 08318
Phone: (856) 935-7510 ext. 8323
Salem County Surrogate's Court (Main)
94 Market Street
Salem, NJ 08079
Phone: (856) 935-7510 ext. 8323
Municipal Courts
303 Harding Highway
Carneys Point, NJ 08069
Phone: (856) 299-1013
Fax: (856) 299-8926
Cumberland Salem Regional Municipal Court
1325 Highway 77
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Phone: (856) 455-8722
Fax: (856) 451-6489
Lower Alloways Creek and Elsinboro Municipal Court
501 Locust Island Road
Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038
Phone: (856) 935-1957
Fax: (856) 935-5638
Mid-Salem County Municipal Court
25 West Avenue
Woodstown, NJ 08098
Phone: (856) 769-2424
Fax: (856) 769-3307
1 State Street
Penns Grove, NJ 08069
Phone: (856) 299-0098
Fax: (856) 299-0975
Pilesgrove Joint Municipal Court
1180 Route 40 East
Pilesgrove, NJ 08098
Phone: (856) 769-1275
Fax: (856) 769-8483
125 West Broadway
Salem, NJ 08079
Phone: (856) 935-1734
Fax: (856) 935-0319
Criminal Records Access in Salem County
An individual's interaction with the justice system is customarily documented and preserved as criminal records. These may take the form of criminal history records or criminal court records. In New Jersey, the State Police maintain criminal history records, while criminal court records are the property of the judiciary.
Individuals seeking a criminal history search may contact the New Jersey State Police. The dissemination of such records is governed by N.J.A.C. 13:59-1 et seq. The State Police provides access to criminal records for
- Individuals within the state seeking their records (fingerprint search)
- Residents outside the state seeking their records (fingerprint search)
- Non-criminal justice volunteer reviews
- Volunteer review operation (fingerprint search)
- Name-based search
On the other hand, those seeking criminal court records may
- Use the NJ Courts case search tool
- Visit the court that adjudicated the matter
- Submit a request by mail to the presiding court (clerk's office)
Salem County Probate Records
The Surrogate's Court handles all probate matters arising in the county. The court also maintains records of each proceeding. Probate proceedings, record maintenance, and associated fees in Salem County are governed by N.J.S.A 3B.
Probate matters include wills, estates, conservatorship, adoptions, and trusts, among others. Salem County probate records are generally open to the public; however, access to certain records and information may be restricted.
Members of the public may find some probate records online through the case management system available on the New Jersey Judiciary website. However, certain probate records are only available in person and cannot be accessed through the online system. Searches are generally conducted at no cost, except when obtaining copies of records or certified documents.
Salem County Family Court Records
Salem County family court records contain information relating to domestic matters or family-type relationships. Many of these records are sealed due to the sensitive nature of the information they contain.
|
Handling Court |
Types of cases |
Accessibility of records |
Available search options |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Salem County Superior Court - Family Division |
Domestic abuse, divorce, child custody, child support, neglect, family crises, paternity, parenting time, adoption, juvenile delinquency |
Access to records is limited. While some records are open to public inspection or copying, many family records are sealed |
|
Only individuals with a tangible interest in a family court record may be granted access. Requesters may need to present a valid photo ID, provide identifying details of the record sought, and pay any applicable fee.
Federal Court Records in Salem County
Courts operate at different levels of jurisdiction-local, state, or federal. Depending on its level of authority, each court handles only certain types of cases within its jurisdiction. Consequently, not all cases arising in Salem County are handled by the local courts. Matters under federal law, such as environmental contamination, workplace disputes, and civil rights cases, are heard by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The federal district court maintains the records of its proceedings.
Requesters may obtain records of cases handled by the federal court online, by mail, or in person. The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system provides remote access to federal court records. Inquirers may search the system using a name or case number. The service incurs a nominal fee.
Alternatively, requesters may contact the federal court in person or by mail. Providing a name or case number will help court staff locate the file more easily. Obtaining copies of records generally incurs a fee.
