New Brunswick Civil Court Case Records
New Brunswick civil court records are filed and stored at the Middlesex County Courthouse. The city is the county seat of Middlesex County. About 57,000 people live in New Brunswick. Because the courthouse sits in the city, residents have close access to civil case files. The Middlesex County Superior Court handles all civil matters for the area. Records are open to the public under New Jersey law. You can search for civil court records in New Brunswick online or at the courthouse on Paterson Street.
New Brunswick Quick Facts
Where to File Civil Cases in New Brunswick
Civil cases in New Brunswick are filed at the Middlesex County Courthouse. The main courthouse is at 56 Paterson Street in downtown New Brunswick. This building holds the Civil Division of the Superior Court. It is the primary place to file civil lawsuits, retrieve court records, and attend hearings. The courthouse is open on weekdays during normal business hours.
| Court | Middlesex County Superior Court, Civil Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 56 Paterson Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 |
| Phone | (732) 645-4300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov - Middlesex Vicinage |
The Family Courthouse at 120 New Street also serves New Brunswick. It handles family law matters that are separate from general civil cases. The Middlesex County Surrogate at 75 Bayard Street deals with estates and probate. Call the Surrogate at (732) 745-3825 for probate-related civil court records in New Brunswick. Each office keeps its own set of files.
Parking near the courthouse is available in city lots and garages. NJ Transit trains stop at the New Brunswick station, which is a short walk from the court. Bring a photo ID when you visit. Security checks all visitors at the door.
Note: The Middlesex County Courthouse also serves all other towns in the county, so wait times may be longer during peak hours.
How to Search Civil Court Records in New Brunswick
There are two main ways to search for civil court records in New Brunswick. You can use online tools from home. You can also visit the courthouse in person. Both methods cover civil cases filed in Middlesex County, which includes New Brunswick.
The New Jersey Judiciary runs a free online case search tool. Go to njcourts.gov/public/find-a-case to look up cases. You can search by party name or docket number. The tool shows basic case data like filing dates, party names, and case status. It does not show full documents. For copies of filed papers from New Brunswick civil court records, contact the clerk or go to the courthouse.
To search civil court records in New Brunswick, you will need:
- Full name of at least one party
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Docket number if available
- Type of civil case if known
In-person searches give you access to more detail. The clerk staff at 56 Paterson Street can pull case files for you to review. They can also make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call (732) 645-4300 to ask what you need before your visit. The JEDS portal lets attorneys and parties file documents online and track their New Brunswick civil court records through the system.
Types of Civil Cases in New Brunswick
New Brunswick civil court records span many case types. The Middlesex County Superior Court sorts cases by the amount of the claim and the subject matter. Each type follows its own set of rules for filing and procedure.
General civil cases involve claims over $15,000. These include breach of contract suits, personal injury claims, and property disputes. The Special Civil Part handles claims under $15,000. Small claims cases cover amounts up to $3,000 and use a simpler process. Landlord-tenant disputes also go through the Special Civil Part. All of these create civil court records in New Brunswick that the public can access.
Foreclosure actions, tax appeals, and construction lien cases also produce civil court records in New Brunswick. The court assigns a docket prefix to each case type. General civil cases use the letter "L" while Special Civil Part cases use "DC" and landlord-tenant cases use "LT." Knowing the prefix speeds up your search.
Note: All civil court records in New Brunswick are public unless sealed by a judge under Court Rule 1:38.
New Brunswick Court Record Copies
You can get copies of civil court records in New Brunswick from the clerk at the Middlesex County Courthouse. The Superior Court Clerk's Office handles all copy requests. Plain copies and certified copies are both available. Certified copies carry an official stamp and cost more.
Filing fees for civil cases in New Brunswick follow the state fee schedule. Small claims cases cost $30 to $55. Special Civil Part cases cost $35 to $175. General civil cases start at $175 and go up to $300. These cover the initial filing only. Added fees apply for motions and amendments. Call (732) 645-4300 to check current rates before you file.
If the fees are too high for your budget, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. You must fill out a form and show proof of financial need. The court reviews your request and makes a ruling. Fee waivers can cover filing costs and some copy fees for civil court records in New Brunswick.
New Brunswick Civil Court Resources
The City of New Brunswick website has local government information and links to city services. While the city does not run the Superior Court, it provides guidance on how to reach local court offices. The city also runs the Municipal Court at 25 Kirkpatrick Street for traffic and ordinance matters.
The New Jersey Courts Self-Help Center has free forms, guides, and instructions for people who want to handle civil cases on their own. Forms are grouped by case type and are free to download. The site walks you through each step of the filing process. This is a good starting point for anyone looking to file or respond to a civil case in New Brunswick without hiring a lawyer.
New Brunswick is home to Rutgers University. The large student population means the court sees a steady flow of landlord-tenant cases and small claims. These civil court records are among the most common types filed in the city.
New Brunswick Municipal Court Records
New Brunswick has a Municipal Court that is separate from the Superior Court. It handles traffic tickets, disorderly persons offenses, and local ordinance violations. These are not civil court records in the traditional sense. But they are still public court records in New Brunswick.
| Court | New Brunswick Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 25 Kirkpatrick Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 |
| Phone | (732) 745-5052 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
The Municipal Court has its own record system. It is separate from the Superior Court that holds New Brunswick civil court records. Contact the Municipal Court directly at (732) 745-5052 for records from that court.
Under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, most court records in New Brunswick are open to the public. This covers both Superior Court civil records and Municipal Court records. Some records may be sealed by court order. But the vast majority are available for public review.
Middlesex County Civil Court Records
New Brunswick is the county seat of Middlesex County. All civil filings for the county go through the courthouse here. Middlesex County is the second most populous county in New Jersey. For more details on the county court system, fee schedules, and related records, visit the Middlesex County civil court records page.