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Finding Court Records in New Jersey

New Jersey Courts Overview

It helps to understand how the New Jersey state court system works when you’re trying to find court records. The New Jersey trial court system consists of Superior Courts, Surrogate's Courts, Municipal Courts, and Tax Court.

Superior Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases but generally handle cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction over some types of criminal cases. The New Jersey Tax Court is a specialized court that handles certain tax cases for the entire state.

If you prefer, you can start your search by going to New Jersey Courts by County.

New Jersey Superior Courts

Superior Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, and generally only handle cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts.

Superior Courts may have parts or divisions based on case type, such as civil, criminal, family, chancery, and probate.

Superior Courts may transfer cases to The New Jersey Tax Court when taxation expertise is appropriate. Superior Courts may grant Municipal Courts jurisdiction to handle motor vehicle cases resulting in death or bodily injury.

New Jersey Surrogate's Courts

Surrogate's Courts have jurisdiction over uncontested probate matters, such as admitting wills to probate, appointing personal representatives and administrators of estates, and appointing guardians of minors.

Surrogates are elected county officials as well as judicial officers, and serve as judges of Surrogate's Court and as Deputy Clerks of Superior Court, Chancery Division, Probate and Family Parts. All probate matters and adoption papers must be filed in the Surrogate's Office.

New Jersey Municipal Courts

Municipal Courts have jurisdiction over certain types of criminal cases.

Cases typically heard by Municipal Courts include felony preliminary hearings, violations of county or municipal ordinances, most violations of motor vehicle and traffic laws, most "disorderly person" offenses and violations of fish, game and boating laws. Municipal Courts may also handle "crimes of the fourth degree" and crimes punishable by imprisonment of less than one year.

Municipal Courts do not have jurisdiction over motor vehicle cases involving death or serious bodily injury, unless jurisdiction over a case is specifically granted by a Superior Court.

Many New Jersey municipalities have consolidated their courts into a single joint court, or agreed to share their individual court services at a single location.

New Jersey Tax Court

The New Jersey Tax Court has limited jurisdiction to review actions or regulations about tax matters involving a State agency, a State official, a county board of taxation or a county or municipal official. The Tax Court has a Small Claims division for certain tax cases.

The Tax Court will also handle cases transferred from Superior Courts when taxation expertise is appropriate for the case.

The Tax Court hears cases for the entire State and, while court sessions may occur in other cities, the Tax Court Management Office in Trenton handles all contacts and information for the Tax Court.

Where to Find Court Cases in New Jersey

The chart below gives general information on the types of cases heard in each type of New Jersey court.

Most Cases = Most or all cases.     Some Cases = Some cases.

Case Type Court Type
Civil Superior Courts Surrogate's Courts Municipal Courts
General Civil - Unlimited Most or All Cases    
General Civil - Limited Some Cases    
Small Claims Most or All Cases    
Civil Equity Most or All Cases    
Complex Commercial Most or All Cases    
Foreclosures and Liens Most or All Cases    
Real Estate Title and Boundary Most or All Cases    
Landlord / Tenant Most or All Cases    
Ordinance Violations Some Cases   Most or All Cases
Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders Most or All Cases    
Administrative Agency Appeals Most or All Cases    
Criminal Superior Courts Surrogate's Courts Municipal Courts
Felony Most or All Cases    
Felony Preliminary Hearings Some Cases   Some Cases
Misdemeanors Some Cases   Some Cases
Ordinance Violations Some Cases   Most or All Cases
Juvenile Most or All Cases    
Traffic and Infractions Some Cases   Most or All Cases
Domestic Relations Superior Courts Surrogate's Courts Municipal Courts
Divorce Most or All Cases    
Child Custody and Visitation Most or All Cases    
Child Support Most or All Cases    
Paternity Most or All Cases    
Domestic Violence Protection Order Most or All Cases    
Juvenile Superior Courts Surrogate's Courts Municipal Courts
Adoptions Most or All Cases    
Juvenile Delinquency Most or All Cases    
Child Abuse and Neglect Most or All Cases    
Termination of Parental Rights Most or All Cases    
Children in Need of Supervision Most or All Cases    
Mental Health Superior Courts Surrogate's Courts Municipal Courts
Involuntary Commitments Most or All Cases    
Other Mental Health Cases Most or All Cases    
Probate Superior Courts Surrogate's Courts Municipal Courts
Wills & Estates Some Cases Most or All Cases  
Name Changes Most or All Cases    
Trusts Some Cases Most or All Cases  
Guardianships and Conservatorships Some Cases Most or All Cases  

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