Bergen County Divorce Court Records

Bergen County divorce records are filed and stored at the Superior Court, Family Division in Hackensack. As the most populated county in New Jersey, Bergen County processes a large volume of divorce cases each year. The courthouse at 10 Main Street holds records for all divorce filings across the county. You can search for Bergen County divorce records in person at the Justice Center or through the state court system online. Staff at the Family Division can help locate case files and provide copies of divorce judgments, complaints, and settlement agreements filed in Bergen County.

Bergen County Family Division Court

The Family Division of the Superior Court handles all divorce cases in Bergen County. This court sits in the Bergen County Justice Center in downtown Hackensack. All divorce complaints, motions, and final judgments pass through this office. The clerk staff processes new filings and maintains the records for every divorce case in the county. Bergen County uses the docket prefix "FM-02" for all family matters, so a typical divorce docket number looks like FM-02-XXXXX-XX.

The Bergen County vicinage serves all 70 municipalities in the county. Residents of Hackensack, Fort Lee, Paramus, Teaneck, Englewood, and every other Bergen County town file divorce cases at this one courthouse. There is no branch office or satellite location for divorce filings. You must go to the Justice Center on Main Street in Hackensack for all in-person requests related to Bergen County divorce records.

The Bergen County Justice Center is the official site for all divorce record requests in Bergen County. Below are the court details you need when planning a visit or calling ahead.

Note: The Bergen County Clerk at (201) 336-7011 does not maintain divorce records, so direct all divorce record requests to the Family Division.

How to Search Bergen County Divorce Records

There are two main ways to search for divorce records in Bergen County. You can visit the courthouse in Hackensack or use the state court system online. Each method works best in different situations. The approach you pick depends on the age of the record and what type of copy you need from Bergen County.

For in-person searches, go to the Family Division at 10 Main Street in Hackensack. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell the clerk the name of one or both spouses and the approximate year of the divorce. Staff can search by name or by docket number if you have one. Bergen County divorce records from 2016 to the present are kept at the courthouse. Older records from 2015 and before are stored at the Records Information Center. The clerk can still retrieve those older Bergen County files, but it may take extra time.

For online searches, the New Jersey Courts case search tool lets you look up basic case details. You can search by party name across all counties. This free tool shows docket numbers, case types, and filing dates for Bergen County divorce cases. It does not show the full documents, but it gives you the information needed to request copies from the court.

Note: Bergen County divorce records are also available through the FACTS system, which covers cases from 1992 to the present.

Bergen County Records Through Electronic Access

The New Jersey Courts operate the Electronic Access Program for remote record searches. This program, known as FACTS, gives access to Bergen County divorce case data going back to 1992. Attorneys and the public can use the system to look up case information without visiting the Hackensack courthouse.

The NJ Courts official website provides information about electronic access to court records, including divorce case data from Bergen County and all other New Jersey counties.

FACTS charges a fee of $4 per minute of use. The system provides case summaries, party names, docket numbers, and filing dates for Bergen County divorce cases. It does not provide full document images. To get actual copies of divorce papers filed in Bergen County, you still need to contact the Superior Court clerk or use the Judiciary Electronic Document System. The JEDS program allows for electronic requests of certain court documents from Bergen County and other vicinages across the state.

Bergen County Divorce Record Fees

Bergen County follows the standard New Jersey court fee schedule for copies of divorce records. Costs vary based on the type of copy you need. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. Most people who need Bergen County divorce records for legal purposes require certified copies, which carry the court seal.

The fee schedule for Bergen County divorce record copies is as follows:

• Plain copy, letter size: $0.05 per page
• Plain copy, legal size: $0.07 per page
• Certified copy of a document: $15.00
• Final Judgment of Divorce: $25.00
• Certificate of Divorce: $10.00
• Electronic Access Program (FACTS): $4.00 per minute

The cost to file a new divorce complaint in Bergen County is $300. This is the standard filing fee set by the state for all New Jersey counties. If you file without a lawyer, there is an added $25 surcharge under the pro se filing rules. Payment methods accepted at the Bergen County courthouse include cash, money orders, and attorney trust checks. Call the clerk at (201) 527-2300 to confirm current fees before your visit.

Getting Copies of Divorce Records

You can request copies of Bergen County divorce records in several ways. The most direct method is to visit the Family Division in Hackensack. Walk-in requests are handled the same day in most cases. Bring the case docket number or the full names of both parties. Staff will search the records and make copies while you wait. Bergen County processes a high volume of requests, so plan for some wait time during busy periods.

You can also request Bergen County divorce records by mail. Send a written request to the Superior Court, Family Division, 10 Main Street, Room 163, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year of divorce, and the docket number if known. Enclose a check or money order for the copy fees. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks for Bergen County to process and return. Under Court Rule 1:38, the public has a right to access court records, including divorce files in Bergen County.

The Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, also provides a path to obtain Bergen County divorce records. You can submit an OPRA request to the court for specific documents. This formal process has set deadlines for the court to respond. It works well when you need records and want a documented request trail.

Filing for Divorce in Bergen County

To start a divorce case in Bergen County, you file a complaint with the Family Division. The complaint states the grounds for divorce under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2. New Jersey allows no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences that have lasted six months or more. You do not need to prove fault to end a marriage in Bergen County. The most common ground cited in Bergen County divorce filings is irreconcilable differences.

Residency matters when filing. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for at least 12 months before filing on no-fault grounds. If you live in Bergen County, you file your case here. The clerk assigns a docket number with the FM-02 prefix that identifies it as a Bergen County family case. This docket number stays with the case through its entire life and is the key to finding your divorce records later.

After filing, you must serve your spouse with the divorce papers. The Bergen County Sheriff can serve the papers, or you can use a private process server or certified mail. Once served, the case moves through the court process. Uncontested divorces where both sides agree on all terms can be finalized in a matter of weeks. Contested cases in Bergen County may take months or longer, depending on the issues involved. Every step of the process creates records that become part of the Bergen County court file.

The New Jersey Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people filing without an attorney in Bergen County.

Bergen County Divorce Record Contents

A divorce file in Bergen County contains all papers filed during the case. The complaint is the first document. It names both parties and states the legal grounds for the divorce. The answer or response from the other spouse follows. Financial disclosure statements, called Case Information Statements, are also part of the file. These show income, assets, and debts of each spouse as reported to the Bergen County court.

The final judgment of divorce is the most requested document from Bergen County divorce records. This is the court order that ends the marriage. It spells out the terms of the divorce, including how property gets divided, custody arrangements for children, child support amounts, and alimony if ordered. A judge in Bergen County signs this judgment, and it becomes the official record of the divorce. Most people who request Bergen County divorce records need a certified copy of this judgment for legal or personal reasons.

Divorce records in Bergen County are public records under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, the Open Public Records Act. Anyone can request to view them at the courthouse. You do not need to be a party to the case. Some parts may be sealed or redacted by court order, particularly details about minor children or sensitive financial data. But the bulk of every Bergen County divorce file is open to the public.

Divorce Certificates From Bergen County

A divorce certificate is different from a divorce record. The New Jersey Department of Health issues certificates that confirm a divorce took place. These short documents show the names of both parties, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was granted. They do not include the full terms of the settlement. Bergen County divorces are recorded with the state, and certificates can be ordered from the Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton.

Certificates cost $25 for the first copy. Extra copies ordered at the same time are $2 each. You can request them by mail or in person at the Office of Vital Statistics at 140 East Front Street, Trenton, NJ 08625. The state has divorce certificates on file from 1848 to the present. For the full divorce judgment from a Bergen County case with all the details about property, custody, and support, contact the Family Division in Hackensack directly.

Older Bergen County Divorce Records

The location of Bergen County divorce records depends on when the case was filed. Records from 2016 to the present are stored at the Bergen County courthouse in Hackensack. These are the easiest to access. The clerk can pull them quickly and make copies on the spot.

Bergen County divorce records from 2015 and earlier are kept at the Records Information Center. Retrieving these older files takes more time. You may need to place a request and wait for the records to be sent to the courthouse. Allow extra days for this process. The Bergen County court website has details on how to request older divorce records.

Note: The FACTS electronic system covers Bergen County divorce records from 1992 forward, so for cases between 1992 and 2015, an electronic search may be faster than requesting the physical file.

Legal Help in Bergen County

Several groups provide legal help to Bergen County residents who need assistance with divorce. Legal Aid of Bergen County offers free services to people with low income. The Bergen County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral program that can match you with a family law attorney. These resources can help you understand the divorce process and your rights under New Jersey law.

The New Jersey State Bar Association lawyer referral line at 1-800-792-8315 connects callers with attorneys in Bergen County who handle divorce cases. The first consultation is up to 30 minutes. For people who cannot afford a lawyer, the Legal Services of New Jersey hotline at (888) 576-5529 provides guidance and may assign a free attorney. The Bergen County courthouse also has a self-help center where staff can point you to forms and resources for filing on your own.

Bergen County Municipalities

Bergen County has 70 municipalities, the most of any county in New Jersey. All of them file divorce cases at the Superior Court, Family Division in Hackensack. Major towns include Hackensack, Fort Lee, Paramus, Teaneck, Englewood, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Garfield, Bergenfield, and Lodi. No matter which Bergen County town you live in, your divorce case goes through the courthouse at 10 Main Street in Hackensack.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bergen County. You must file for divorce in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you are unsure which county applies to your address, check with the court clerk before filing. Filing in the wrong county can cause delays in your divorce case.