A New Jersey divorce records search starts with the state judiciary, not the Department of Health. The Superior Court of New Jersey holds divorce case files, and access is restricted: only the parties to the case and the attorneys of record at the time of filing can get copies without a court order.1New Jersey Judiciary. New Jersey Judiciary Records Request Form CN 10200 Everyone else needs a judge’s order first. Where your file lives depends on when the divorce was finalized, and sending the request to the wrong office is the most common reason people wait weeks for nothing.
Which Office Holds the Record
For divorces finalized from roughly 1987 forward, the file sits with the Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center in Trenton. The Department of Health does not issue divorce decrees and will redirect you there.2New Jersey Department of Health. Divorce Decrees You can reach the Records Center at 609-421-6100.
For divorces finalized before 1987, the file is with the New Jersey State Archives, which keeps older paper and microfilm records. The Archives has its own searchable databases and request forms through the Department of State’s online portal.3New Jersey Department of State. Searchable Databases and Records Request Forms Pin down the approximate year before you file anything.
Who Can Get a Copy
Divorce and name-change records are an exception to New Jersey’s general open-access rule for court files. The judiciary’s records request form states that these files are released only to the parties and their attorneys of record at the time of filing.1New Jersey Judiciary. New Jersey Judiciary Records Request Form CN 10200 A background check company, a new spouse, or an adult child of the divorcing parties cannot walk in and request copies. The restriction covers the full case file, including the final judgment, the complaint, and supporting documents. Anyone outside that circle has to file a motion asking the court to release the records.
Even when you are entitled to the file, certain personal information is removed before release. Court Rule 1:38-7 treats Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, vehicle plate numbers, insurance policy numbers, and active financial account and credit card numbers as confidential personal identifiers that the clerk must redact.4New Jersey Judiciary. Notice – Appellate Division Reminder to Counsel
Some files also contain sealed material. A party can ask the court to restrict access to specific documents with especially sensitive content, such as evidence of domestic violence, detailed financial disclosures, or matters involving children. Sealed documents are not released through a standard records request, even to the parties, and require a separate court order to unseal.
Looking Up the Case First
Before you submit a formal request, confirm the case exists and track down the docket number. The judiciary’s Find a Case portal lets you search civil case information by party name or docket number.5New Jersey Judiciary. Find a Case It tells you the county of filing and the docket number but does not let you download the documents themselves.
For older cases, use the State Archives databases through the Department of State’s portal to pull up case information before you file a request.3New Jersey Department of State. Searchable Databases and Records Request Forms If online lookup doesn’t turn up what you expect, call the Records Center at 609-421-6100.
Submitting the Request
Divorce records are released through form CN:10200, the New Jersey Judiciary Records Request Form. The most recent version was revised in February 2026.1New Jersey Judiciary. New Jersey Judiciary Records Request Form CN 10200 The form asks for your name, address, and contact information; which office should handle the request (the Superior Court Clerk’s Office for divorce files); the case name and docket or complaint number; and a specific description of the documents you want, such as the Final Judgment of Divorce. Because divorce records are restricted, you also have to attach a redacted copy of your photo ID proving you are a party to the case.
Accuracy matters. A misspelled name or wrong year can come back as “no record found,” and you start over.
You can submit the completed form through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system (JEDS), which accepts filings around the clock and routes them to the right office.6New Jersey Judiciary. Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) You can also mail the form to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office in Trenton. Pre-1987 requests go to the State Archives instead.
What It Costs
The Superior Court Clerk’s Office charges 5 cents per page for letter-size copies and 7 cents per page for legal-size copies. Certified copies, copies with an official seal, and exemplified copies carry additional fees on top of the per-page rate.1New Jersey Judiciary. New Jersey Judiciary Records Request Form CN 10200 The certification surcharges are set by the court and can vary, so confirm the total when you submit.
At the State Archives, any located document can be certified for $25 per record. If you need multiple certified copies of the same record, the $25 applies to each copy, and per-page charges may also apply.3New Jersey Department of State. Searchable Databases and Records Request Forms
JEDS collects payment through the electronic portal. Mailed requests typically require a check or money order.
How Long It Takes
The Superior Court Clerk’s Office does not publish a guaranteed turnaround. Processing depends on current workload and how many records you ask for. A straightforward request with a known docket number commonly comes back within a couple of weeks. Historical searches through the State Archives can take longer because older material may need manual retrieval from microfilm or paper. If you have a deadline for a legal proceeding or a government application, file as early as you can and note the timeline in your cover letter.
Final Judgment or Certificate of Divorce
Make sure you ask for the right document. The Final Judgment of Divorce is the full court order signed by a judge that legally ends the marriage; it typically addresses property division, custody, support, and any name changes. This is what courts and government agencies ask for when they need the specific terms of the divorce.
A Certificate of Divorce is a shorter document the Superior Court Clerk’s Office can prepare for a nominal fee. It confirms that a divorce occurred and typically lists the county of filing, the docket number, and the date, but it does not contain the terms of the judgment. If you only need to prove you are divorced, the certificate may be enough. If you need to show what the court actually ordered, request the full judgment.
If You Need to Use the Record Outside the U.S.
A New Jersey divorce decree used in another country usually needs an apostille or authentication from the New Jersey Secretary of State. For Hague Apostille Convention countries, the Secretary of State verifies the court clerk’s signature and attaches a numbered apostille certificate to your certified copy. Non-Hague countries may require additional authentication by the U.S. State Department and legalization at the destination country’s embassy or consulate. Get the certified copy from the Superior Court Clerk’s Office first; the Secretary of State will not apostille an uncertified copy. The New Jersey Treasury’s Division of Revenue handles apostille requests and accepts submissions online.