Somerset County Court Records

Somerset County court records document court cases and legal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction. The local judiciary maintains these records for various reasons, including proof that legal procedures are followed and trials are free and fair. They also serve as useful material for the general public who want to familiarize themselves with the legal system.

The court records available in the county include rulings, motions, depositions, pleas, judgments, indictments, exhibits, and docket information. Such records exist in many mediums, such as written documents, typed papers, audio, video, photocopies, electronic files, photographs, maps, and microfilm. While the local courts in Somerset generate these records, they are still considered part of New Jersey court records.

Are Court Records Public in Somerset County?

Yes, the New Jersey Open Public Records Act classifies Somerset County court records as public records by law. The act permits the public to examine, inspect, and copy records in the custody of government agencies with certain exceptions.

Although court records are among records open to the public, some information within them may be exempted from public view or completely restricted. Examples of these exempted records include the following.

• Any information in a record that will identify the victim of a crime or their family
• A record that is confidential or sealed under state or federal statutes
• Personal records, the release of which would be a violation of personal privacy
• Any records from an in-progress investigation, the release of which would be against the public interest
• Any information classified as confidential by a court order
• Any information under privilege, such as the attorney-client privilege

A full list of court records and information restricted from public access is available in Section 1:38-3 of the New Jersey Rules of Court.

Somerset County Court Records Search

Several choices are available for individuals who require a Somerset County court record search. The following options are open to record seekers by the New Jersey Judiciary to use while seeking court records.

• Contact the Somerset County Superior Court or the local municipal court where the case was heard.
• Fill out and submit a Court Record Request Form addressed to the Superior Court Clerk of Somerset County or New Jersey.
• Use the New Jersey courts Find a Case Record online search portal
• Register an online account and use the New Jersey Electronic Access Program database
• Search using a third–party online record search database

Somerset County Court Records Search by Name

Record seekers may perform name-based searches for Somerset County court records by contacting the Somerset County Superior Court. Record requests may be made online or offline.

Offline requests may be made by filling out a Court Records Request Form and submitting it to the Somerset County Superior Court in person or by mail at:

Somerset County Superior Court
Somerset County Courthouse
20 North Bridge Street,
Somerville, NJ 08876

To perform a name-based search, complete part C of the form by entering the name of the subject to be searched. Requesters may also choose an onsite inspection on the form and select a type of delivery for any copies of the record.

Completed request forms may be submitted online using the New Jersey Courts Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) portal. Record seekers may submit requests and documents to the courts 24 hours a day using the portal.

Online requests for Somerset County court records may be made online using the New Jersey Courts Find a Case search portal. Users may make name-based case searches for court records including criminal convictions and judgments, court opinions, civil case records, and other court records.

Physical copies of court records will incur a fee of $0.05 for letter-size copies and $0.07 for legal-size copies. Any inquiries about record requests from the Somerset County Superior Court may be directed to the court at (908) 332-7700.

Record requests and request forms for Somerset County Superior Court records may also be addressed to the New Jersey Superior Court Clerk’s Office at:

Superior Court Clerk's Office
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 971
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0971

Somerset County Courts

New Jersey’s court system has several tiers consisting of different types of courts. The Somerset County Superior Court serves as the main trial court with general jurisdiction over cases heard in the county. The list below shows all the courts operating in Somerset County and its municipalities.

Somerset County Superior Court
Somerset County Courthouse
20 North Bridge Street,
Somerville, NJ 08876
Phone: (908) 332-7700

Surrogate's Courts in Somerset County
Somerset County Surrogate's Court
Somerset County Administration Building
20 Grove Street, P.O. Box 3000,
Somerville, NJ 08876
Phone: (908) 231-7003
Fax: (908) 541-5061

Municipal Courts in Somerset County
Bedminster Township Municipal Court
1 Miller Lane,
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Phone: (908) 212-7020
Fax: (908) 212-7006

Bernards Township Municipal Court
1 Collyer Lane,
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Phone: (908) 630-5538
Fax: (908) 696-0385

Bernardsville Municipal Court
45 Miller Lane,
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Phone: (908) 212-7020
Fax: (908) 212-7006
Bedminster Municipal Court provides Bernardsville Municipal Court services under a shared services agreement.

Bound Brook Municipal Court
230 Hamilton Street,
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
Phone: (732) 356-0833 ext. 640
Fax: (732) 356-0781

Branchburg Township Municipal Court
1077 Route 202 North,
Branchburg, NJ 08876
Phone: (908) 526-1300 ext. 127
Fax: (908) 526-5870

Bridgewater Township Municipal Court
100 Commons Way,
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Phone: (908) 725-6375
Fax: (908) 704-9208

Far Hills Municipal Court
6 Prospect Street,
Far Hills, NJ 07931
Phone: (908) 781-1911
Fax: (908) 781-6048

Franklin Township Municipal Court
495 DeMott Lane,
Somerset, NJ 08873
Phone: (732) 873-7285

Green Brook Township Municipal Court
111 Greenbrook Road,
Green Brook, NJ 08812
Phone: (732) 968-1110
Fax: (732) 968-4088

Hillsborough Township Municipal Court
379 South Branch Road,
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Phone: (908) 369-3532
Fax: (908) 369-4401

Manville Municipal Court
379 South Branch Road,
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Phone: (908) 369-4313 ext. 7132
Hillsborough Municipal Court provides court services to Manville Municipal court under a shared services agreement.

Millstone Municipal Court
215 Millstone Road,
Millstone Township, NJ 08535
Phone: (732) 446-6219
Fax: (732) 446-4853

Montgomery Township Municipal Court
379 South Branch Road,
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Phone: (908) 369-3532
Hillsborough Township Municipal Court provides Montgomery Township Municipal Court services under a shared services agreement.

North Plainfield Municipal Court
840 Somerset Street,
Watchung, NJ 07069
Phone: (908) 769-2265
Fax: (908) 769-2266

Peapack and Gladstone Municipal Court
1 Miller Lane,
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Phone: (908) 212-7020
Fax: (908) 212-7006
Bedminster Municipal Court provides Peapack and Gladstone Municipal Court services under a shared services agreement.

Raritan Municipal Court
22 First Street,
Raritan, NJ 08869
Phone: (908) 231-1300 ext. 26

Rocky Hill Municipal Court
15 Montgomery Avenue,
P.O. Box 212,
Rocky Hill, NJ 08553
Phone: (609) 924-7943

Somerville Municipal Court
100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Phone: (908) 725-6375
Fax: (908) 704-9208
Bridgewater Municipal Court provides Somerville Municipal Court services under a shared services agreement.

South Bound Brook Municipal Court
12 Main Street,
South Bound Brook, NJ 08880
Phone: (732) 356-0258 ext. 4
This is the court office. Court sessions are held at Bound Brook Municipal Court, 230 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ.

Warren Township Municipal Court
46 Mountain Boulevard,
Warren, NJ 07059
Phone: (908) 753-8000 ext. 226

Watchung Municipal Court
263 Somerset Street,
North Plainfield, NJ 07060
Phone: (908) 769-2265
Fax: (908) 769-2266

Contact information is for the court business office. Court sessions are held at 840 Somerset Street in Watchung.

Somerset County District Court Records

The district court equivalent in Somerset County is the Somerset County Superior Court. This is the general trial court with jurisdiction over most civil and criminal cases. Generally, the Somerset County Superior Court hears a variety of cases, including the following.

• Criminal case
• Civil cases
• Probate cases
• Family and Domestic cases
• Chancery cases

Somerset County Criminal Records

Somerset County criminal records refer to the records of an individual’s criminal activity within the county. Record seekers may request Somerset County arrest records and criminal history records from the New Jersey State Police. Local law enforcement such as municipal police departments and the Sheriff’s Office may also provide access to Somerset County arrest records.

The New Jersey State Police offers citizens, organizations, and government agencies options for state-wide criminal record searches. The process begins with fingerprinting at the service company IdentoGo. Appointments for the fingerprinting process may be arranged by calling 1(877) 503-5391 or online on the IdentoGo website.

After booking the appointment applicants are supplied a six-digit service code to identify them and make sure they get fingerprinted for the correct reason. The 2F1BJG code for example indicates fingerprinting for a personal request such as an expungement of personal records. A full list of codes and their respective purposes is provided on the New Jersey State Police Criminal Records Website.

Applicants will be required to pay the fingerprinting fees at the site during the appointment. Finger printing costs $45.73 and payment is acceptable by Electronic Debit from a checking account, credit, and prepaid debit cards.

Applicants will be able to download the Personal Record Request letter 24 to 72 hours after the fingerprinting process is complete. To download the letter, the applicant must provide their last name, date of birth, and the IdentGO number on their IdentGO form. Applicants must download and fill out the letter within 90 days, or they will need to restart the fingerprinting process.

Note: Public access to Somerset County Arrest records may vary depending on local laws.

Somerset County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Record seekers may look up Somerset County criminal court case records by visiting the county superior court where the case was heard. They may also obtain these criminal case records online using the New Jersey Courts Find a Case search tool. The search portal allows users to look up criminal court records and public case information, including criminal judgments and conviction details. This search portal will only provide results where the subject was tried, convicted, and sentenced in a New Jersey Superior Court.

Criminal case records may also be obtained by filling out a Court Record Request form and submitting it to the state or county superior court clerk. Additionally, applicants may submit the request form online using the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS).

Get Somerset County Civil Court Records

Somerset County civil court records are records of non-criminal court cases and legal procedures, usually between private entities. Records generated by these types of civil matters include rulings, settlements, judgments, claims, and motions.

In Somerset County, these records may be obtained by contacting the superior court where the case was heard. Requests may be made in person at the Clerk of the Superior Court office or by mailing a Court Record Request form. The completed form may be submitted by mail to either the Somerset County Superior Court Clerk or the State Superior Court Clerk’s Office.

Requesters must indicate in Part B of the form the division(civil) and County where the case was heard. To search statewide records, requesters may enter the state superior court clerk’s office(SCCO) as the division. Requests may be submitted online using the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS).

Civil court records for Somerset County may also be searched online using the New Jersey Courts Find a Case search portal. These resources on this website may be used to search for civil court records online.

Somerset County Family Court Records

The Family Division of the Somerset County Superior Court handles cases involving domestic issues, including divorce, child support, paternity, custody, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, legal guardianship, and adoption.

Record seekers may obtain Somerset County civil court records by contacting the Somerset County Superior Court Family Division in person or by mail at:

Somerset County Superior Court
Somerset County Courthouse
20 North Bridge Street,
Somerville, NJ 08876

Record requests will require filling out the Court Record Request form and entering the division(Family Court) and the County(Somerset) in the appropriate section of the form. This will make sure the request goes to the right recipient. The forms may be submitted by mail, in person to the above address, or online via the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) system.

Somerset County Marriage and Divorce Records

There are several repositories for Somerset County marriage and divorce records. Marriage records may be obtained from the municipality office where the marriage license was initially obtained. In contrast, divorce records may be obtained from the family division of the Somerset County Superior Court. On the state level, Somerset Court marriage records may also be available from the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry of the New Jersey Department of Health.

To obtain Somerset County marriage records, record seekers are advised to contact the Municipality where the marriage took place and the license was issued. Another option is submitting an application form from the Department of Health. Record seekers must fill out the marriage section of the application form and submit it along with a valid government-issued ID and proof of relationship. As marriage records in New Jersey are confidential, all requests must include these documents.

Record seekers may submit the complete form and supporting documents in person or by mail to the local health department or the vital statistics office. In-person requests to the vital statistics office should be made at the Walk-in Center.

The New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics also provides the New Jersey Vital Records online service to obtain marriage records online. Applicants will be required to scan and upload their ID and other supporting documents during the application process.

Copies of Somerset County marriage records from the state Department of Health cost $25. This serves as a search fee and provides the requester with one copy. Any additional copies ordered at the same time will cost $2 each. During online requests, payment must be made using a credit or debit card and will incur a $5 processing fee and a $5 identity verification fee.

Divorce records for Somerset County may be obtained from the Family Division of the Somerset County Superior Court. Record seekers may fill out and submit the Court Record Request form and submit it to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office in person or by mail. To ensure the request reaches the right custodian, they must enter the county(Somerset) and division(Family) where required on the form. They must also provide enough information for the record to be found, such as case number, date of divorce, and the parties' names to the divorce. Record requests may also be submitted online via the New Jersey Courts Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) system.

Somerset Birth and Death Records

Somerset County birth and death records are important vital records that document an individual’s life events within the county. They may be used to verify a person’s information, including their name, date of birth, genealogy, and nationality. In New Jersey, birth and death records are not public and may only be obtained by certain eligible parties, including the record's subject, spouse, immediate family, and legal representatives. Individuals who are not eligible may still receive an informational copy, which cannot be used for any legal or official purpose.

Record seekers may obtain Somerset County birth and death records from the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry of the New Jersey Department of Health. Record requests may be made in–person, by mail, or online.

The requester will be required to fill out and submit the application for Non-Genealogical Certification or a Certified Copy of a Vital Record. Applicants must fill out the correct section for the required vital records. The completed record must be submitted along with a valid government-issued ID and proof of relationship to the Office of Vital Statistics. Requests may either be submitted in person at the Walk-in Center at 140 E. Front Street, Trenton, New Jersey or any Local Vital Records Office. They may also be submitted by mailing the form, payment, and supporting documents to the office at:

New Jersey Department of Health
Vital Statistics and Registry
P.O. Box 370
Trenton NJ 08625-0370

Record seekers will collect one copy of the birth or death record after they pay the nonrefundable $25 search fee. Any additional copies required at the same time will cost $2 each. Payment is accepted in checks or money orders payable to the New Jersey Treasurer. Cash is only accepted during walk-in requests.

Somerset County birth and death records may also be ordered Online through the New Jersey Vital Records Online Service. Scanned copies of support documents such as ID and proof of relationships must be ready for upload during online record requests. Payment during online requests must be made using a credit card and includes a $5 processing fee and a $5 identity verification fee.

Somerset County Probate Court Records

Somerset County Probate court records refer to records from court cases involving probate issues such as wills, estates, guardianships, trusts, and handling the assets of a deceased person or a minor till they come of age, In Somerset County, these types of cases are heard by chancery division of the Superior Court and the Somerset County Surrogate’s Court.

Probate court records for Somerset County may be obtained by submitting a Record Request form to the Surrogate’s Court in person. The completed form may also be mailed along with payment to the Surrogate's Court at:

Somerset County Surrogate's Court
Somerset County Administration Building
20 Grove Street, P.O. Box 3000,
Somerville, NJ 08876

For information about the request process, availability of records, and copy fees, record seekers may call the Somerset Surrogate’s Court at (908) 231-7003.

Requests may also be made by submitting the Court Record Request to the Chancery Division of the Somerset County Superior Court. As normal, record seekers must indicate Chancery as the division and Somerset as the county to ensure the request reaches the appropriate custodian.

Somerset County Property Records

Somerset County property records contain details of property and transactions involving property within the county. Property records for Somerset County include plats, mortgages, liens, deeds, and trusts.

Somerset County property records may be obtained from the Somerset County Clerk and the Somerset County Tax Board, which maintain property records for the county.

Property record requests to the Somerset County Clerk may be made in person, by mail, fax, or using the county online portal. Record seekers may print out and fill out the county Open Public Record Act Request Form and either drop it off or mail it to the following address.

Custodian of Records
County Administration Building
20 Grove Street
P.O. Box 3000
Somerville, New Jersey 08876-1262

The form may also be faxed to the county clerk at (908) 231-8754. Any questions about public record requests before submitting a request may be directed to the custodian of records at (908) 231-7030 or by emailing OPRA@co.somerset.nj.us.

Records from the Tax Board may be obtained by contacting the board in person or mailing a request to the office at:

27 Warren Street, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 3000,
Somerville, NJ 08876

The request should contain as much detail as possible, including the property’s address, owner’s name, plot number, and the type of record required.

Record seekers may contact the tax board about the availability of property records and how to request them by calling (908) 541-5701 or emailing TaxBoard@co.somerset.nj.us. Property records for Somerset may also be found online using the Somerset County Tax Data Hub.

Somerset County Court Records Online

Online requests for Somerset County court records may be made online using the New Jersey Courts Find a Case search portal. Record seekers may also be able to obtain Somerset County court records using third-party record websites like NewJerseycourtrecords.us. These records websites are a convenient and ready choice for quick access to various court records. The websites offer user-friendly databases and search tools, and users can look up records using basic criteria such as names, addresses, and case numbers. However, the records on third-party websites may not be very accurate or reliable as such sites have no government affiliations.