Bergen County Court Records

Bergen County civil court records are managed at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack. As the most populous county in New Jersey with over 978,000 residents, Bergen County processes a high volume of civil cases each year. The Bergen Vicinage operates as a standalone court district. Public access to civil case filings, court dockets, and judgments is available both online and at the courthouse. The Bergen County Clerk and Surrogate also maintain records that relate to civil court matters. This guide explains how to find and obtain the civil court records you need from Bergen County.

Bergen County Justice Center

The Bergen County Justice Center is the hub for all civil court activity in the county. It stands at 10 Main Street in Hackensack. The building is wheelchair accessible. Public parking is available nearby, with a garage at 55 Court Street. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Several divisions operate within the Bergen County Justice Center. The Civil Part handles all major civil cases. You can reach it at extension 25250. The General Equity section, at extension 25240, deals with chancery matters such as foreclosures and injunctions. The Special Civil Part covers smaller claims and landlord-tenant disputes. Hon. Robert Polifroni serves as the Presiding Judge of the Civil Part, and Hon. Joseph R. Rosa, Jr. supervises the Special Civil Part. Kathleen Andes-Stylianou manages the Civil Division. All civil court records from Bergen County are housed at this location.

Searching Bergen County Civil Court Records

Finding civil court records in Bergen County starts with knowing what you need. A party name or docket number makes the search much easier. Without these, you may need to provide dates or case types to narrow your results. Bergen County civil court records go back many years, and older files may take longer to locate.

The New Jersey Courts online case search is the fastest way to find basic civil case information in Bergen County. Enter a party name or docket number. The tool returns case type, filing date, and current status at no cost. It covers civil filings across all New Jersey counties. Full documents are not available through this tool. For copies of actual filings from Bergen County civil cases, you must contact the court directly or visit the Justice Center in Hackensack.

You can also visit the courthouse in person. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff at the Civil Part window can search records by name or case number. You may view files at the courthouse. Bergen County offers Complementary Dispute Resolution programs as well, including auto arbitration sessions held on Thursdays in Room 219 and personal injury mediation on alternate Wednesdays. These proceedings also generate civil court records that become part of the case file.

Note: The Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system allows attorneys and parties to file documents in Bergen County civil cases electronically.

Getting Copies of Bergen County Civil Records

There are multiple ways to get copies of civil court records from Bergen County. The method you choose depends on urgency and whether you need certified or plain copies. Certified copies bear the court seal and are accepted for legal proceedings. Plain copies work fine for personal reference.

The Superior Court Clerk's office handles requests for copies of civil case documents. You can request copies by mail, in person, or through an OPRA request. In-person requests at the Bergen County Justice Center are often processed the same day for recent civil filings. Older records or large files may take more time. Mail requests should include the case docket number, the specific documents you need, and a check or money order for the fees.

Bergen County copy fees for court records follow the state schedule:

• Plain copies: $0.05 per page (letter size) or $0.07 per page (legal size)
• Certified copies: $15 each
• Sealed copies: $10 each
• Exemplified copies: $50 each
• Triple exemplified copies: $60 each

If you need a certified copy of a final judgment from a Bergen County civil case, the cost is $25. This applies to all types of civil judgments, including default judgments, consent orders, and trial verdicts. Contact the Civil Part at extension 25250 to confirm fees and processing times before you send your request.

Public Access to Bergen County Civil Cases

Civil court records in Bergen County are public. The Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, guarantees the right of any person to access government records in New Jersey. You do not need to explain why you want the records. You do not need to be involved in the case. Bergen County courts must provide access to civil filings, dockets, orders, and judgments upon request.

Under Court Rule 1:38, court records are presumed open unless a specific rule or court order requires otherwise. A judge may seal certain civil court records in Bergen County when there is a compelling reason to do so. Trade secrets in a business lawsuit or personal financial details in a foreclosure case may be sealed. But these are exceptions. The default rule is public access. If your OPRA request is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. Bergen County must respond to your request within seven business days.

Bergen County Clerk Records

The Bergen County Clerk's office is a key source of records that often relate to civil court cases. County Clerk John S. Hogan oversees this office at One Bergen County Plaza, Room 150, in Hackensack. The phone number is (201) 336-7000. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. These records frequently appear as evidence or exhibits in Bergen County civil cases involving real estate disputes, foreclosures, and mechanic's liens.

Bergen County land records are available online from January 1, 1970 to the present. You can search by grantor, grantee, or document type. The Clerk charges $10 for a search, $10 for a photocopy, and $10 for a certification with gold seal. These fees apply whether you visit in person or request records by mail. The Bergen County Clerk's office is an important stop for anyone researching property-related civil court records.

Bergen County Surrogate Court Records

The Bergen County Surrogate's Court handles probate, estate, and guardianship matters. Surrogate Michael R. Dressler and Deputy Surrogate Sharon A. Borys lead this office. It is located at Two Bergen County Plaza, Suite 5000, in Hackensack. The phone number is (201) 336-6700.

Surrogate records can intersect with civil court cases in Bergen County. Estate disputes sometimes lead to civil litigation. Contested wills, trust disagreements, and claims by creditors against an estate are examples. The Bergen County Surrogate started a Satellite Program in 1999 that now operates at 11 locations across the county. This program brings surrogate services closer to residents in different parts of Bergen County. Records from surrogate proceedings are public and can be searched at the main office in Hackensack.

Note: Surrogate Court records in Bergen County are separate from civil court records, but both offices are located in the Hackensack government complex.

Legal Help for Bergen County Civil Cases

Bergen County has several programs to assist people with civil court matters. The court itself runs specialty programs including Veterans Court, Drug Court, and Recovery Court. While these focus on specific populations, the New Jersey Courts Self-Help Center serves everyone. It provides free forms, instructions, and guides for common civil matters like small claims, debt disputes, and landlord-tenant issues.

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents of Bergen County. They handle housing, consumer, and other civil matters. The New Jersey State Bar Association lawyer referral service at 1-800-792-8315 can connect you with a civil attorney in Bergen County for an initial consultation. Legal Aid of New Jersey also serves Bergen County through its statewide hotline at (888) 576-5529. These resources can help you understand your rights, prepare for court, or find representation for a civil case in Bergen County.

Cities in Bergen County

Bergen County has 70 municipalities. All civil cases from these towns are filed at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack. The courthouse serves the entire county from one location.

Other municipalities in Bergen County include Hackensack, Fort Lee, Englewood, Paramus, Teaneck, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Garfield, and Bergenfield. All civil court records for these towns are held at the Bergen County Justice Center.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bergen County. Civil cases are filed in the county where the dispute occurred or where the defendant lives. Make sure you search the right county for your civil court records.