Cumberland County Court Records Search
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Cumberland County occupies the southern tip of New Jersey, with its county seat in Bridgeton. The county’s judicial system is part of the Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Vicinage, one of fifteen vicinages that make up New Jersey’s unified court system. The Superior Court — the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction — handles all criminal, civil, and family matters in the county through its Criminal Division, Civil Division, and Family Division, all headquartered at the Cumberland County Courthouse. A separate Surrogate Court handles probate proceedings, while several municipal courts across the county process traffic violations, disorderly persons offenses, and local ordinance violations.
For anyone looking to access court case data in New Jersey, the state judiciary maintains several online portals covering criminal convictions, civil filings, and foreclosure actions. The NJ Courts website serves as the central hub for these tools, and NewJerseyCourts.us may also help users find publicly available court case information. Beyond online resources, records can be obtained through the Superior Court Clerk’s Office, local clerk offices at the courthouse, public access terminals located in the courthouse, and through formal written requests submitted by mail or electronically.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cumberland County?
Several methods are available depending on the type of case and level of documentation needed.
Online Case Search Portals
The New Jersey Judiciary operates multiple public access databases through its Find a Case page:
- Civil Case Public Access — search civil and foreclosure matters by name or docket number (registration required for first-time users)
- PROMIS/Gavel Public Access — search criminal cases by defendant name, indictment/accusation number, or CDR number
- Criminal Judgments Public Access — search criminal judgment records by county, defendant name, indictment number, SBI number, or PROMIS case-defendant number
- Municipal Court Case Search — look up municipal traffic or complaint information
Family court records are generally not accessible through these online portals.
Records Request Form (Electronic Submission)
For records not available through public search portals, the Judiciary provides a downloadable Records Request Form. To submit it electronically:
- Download and save the form.
- Complete all fields, including the correct processing location.
- Submit through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) portal.
- Records will be emailed to the address provided on the form.
- Pay fees for certified or exemplified copies by credit card.
Requests are processed during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mail Requests
Send the completed Records Request Form with applicable fees to:
Superior Court Clerk’s Office
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
Attention: Customer Access
P.O. Box 971
Trenton, NJ 08625-0971
For questions, contact the Superior Court Clerk’s Office at (609) 421-6100 or email SCCO.Mailbox@njcourts.gov.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Cumberland County Courthouse during business hours:
Cumberland County Courthouse
Address: 60 West Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Phone: (856) 878-5050
Copy and Authentication Fees
| Copy Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (letter size) | $0.05/page |
| Plain copy (legal size) | $0.07/page |
| Certified copy | $15.00 |
| Seal of the Court | $10.00 |
| Exemplified copy (plus plain copy fees) | $50.00 |
| Triple exemplified copy | $60.00 |
| Certificate of Divorce | $10.00 |
| Certified copy of Final Judgment of Divorce | $25.00 |
Payment is accepted by check or money order made payable to “Treasurer-State of New Jersey”. Cash is accepted in person only.
Are Court Records Public in Cumberland County?
New Jersey law supports broad public access to court records. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) governs access to government records generally, while N.J. Court Rule 1:38 specifically addresses public access to court records and administrative records. Under Rule 1:38-2, court records — defined as any information, order, opinion, transcript, judgment, or decree maintained by a court in connection with a case — are presumed open to public inspection and copying.
The Superior Court Clerk’s Office serves as the statewide custodian for court records and processes requests for copies of documents across all divisions.
However, N.J. Court Rule 1:38-3 identifies numerous categories of records that are confidential and shielded from public disclosure. These include:
- Expunged records and sealed indictments
- Juvenile delinquency records and reports
- Domestic violence records and reports
- Paternity records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Adoption records
- Child placement and guardianship records
- Psychiatric, medical, psychological, and substance abuse evaluations
- Confidential Litigant Information Sheets and Family Case Information Statements
- Search warrants and supporting affidavits
- Victim statements (unless placed on the record at a public hearing)
- Personal information of domestic violence or sexual offense victims
- Pretrial services program records
- Judicial working papers, notes, and draft opinions
- Sealed records of marijuana/hashish convictions
- Discovery materials that were never filed with the court
Any person may request public court records without providing a statement of purpose. Restricted records require a court order for release.
Cumberland County Criminal Court Records
The Superior Court’s Criminal Division in Cumberland County processes all indictable criminal cases involving adult offenders. The division handles pre-adjudicatory functions, post-conviction motions, and expungement applications. Disorderly persons offenses and motor vehicle violations are generally handled in the municipal courts.
Criminal Division Contact
Phone: (856) 878-5050 ext. 15460
Online Criminal Case Searches
Three portals serve different purposes:
- The PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal allows searches by defendant name, indictment/accusation number, or CDR number.
- The Criminal Judgments Public Access portal provides judgment information searchable by county, defendant, SBI number, or case-defendant number.
- The Records Request Form can be submitted through JEDS for criminal records not available through the public portals.
Arrest and Incarceration Information
The Cumberland County Department of Corrections provides current incarceration data through its Incarcerated Person Lookup Tool.
Criminal History Record Checks Through the State Police
Individuals seeking formal criminal history record information (CHRI) have two options through the New Jersey State Police:
- Fingerprint-based check: Visit an approved fingerprint-capturing site for an electronic live scan. The cost is approximately $45.73, including a vendor fee. After fingerprinting, download a Personal Record Request letter from the State Police portal within 90 days using your PCN, last name, and date of birth. Payment is accepted by credit card, debit card, or ACH.
- Name-based check: Authorized requesters can submit an SBI 212B form online. The fee is $20, payable by card.
Per N.J.A.C. 13:59-1 et seq., criminal records are public information. However, expunged records, sealed marijuana/hashish convictions, and certain juvenile records are excluded from public access.
Expungement Resources
Individuals seeking to expunge a criminal record can obtain a pro se expungement kit from the NJ Courts website.
Cumberland County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Superior Court in Cumberland County adjudicates disputes where monetary damages are sought. Jurisdiction is tiered based on the amount in controversy:
- Civil Division (Law Division): claims exceeding $20,000
- Special Civil Part: claims between $5,000 and $20,000
- Small Claims: claims of $5,000 or less
General Equity cases — non-jury matters involving trade secrets, labor disputes, foreclosures, and emergency restraining orders — are also handled within the Civil Division.
Civil Division Contact
Phone: (856) 878-5050 ext. 15390
Searching Civil Records Online
The Civil Case Public Access portal allows searches by party name or docket number. First-time users must register for a user ID and password. Attorneys use their bar ID credentials to access the eCourts Civil Case Jacket, which provides deeper case file access.
Alternatively, civil records can be requested through the Records Request Form submitted via JEDS. Records are delivered by email. The standard copy fees apply — $0.05 per letter-size page for plain copies, $0.07 per legal-size page, and $15 for certified copies. Credit card payment is accepted for electronic submissions.
Mail and in-person requests at the Cumberland County Courthouse are also accepted. For in-person requests, the courthouse is located at 60 West Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302.
Property and Recording Records
While not court records, property-related filings are often relevant in civil litigation. The Cumberland County Clerk’s Office — separate from the court system — maintains land records, deeds, and mortgages. The Clerk’s Office can be reached at (856) 453-4860 and is located at the Cumberland County Court House, 60 W. Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Property records from 1960 to 1987 are available through the County Clerk’s Image Viewer, and records from 1987 to the present can be searched through the Online Services portal.
Cumberland County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the Superior Court in Cumberland County has broad jurisdiction over cases arising from family relationships. Case types include divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, family crisis, foster care placement, kinship legal guardianship, abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, and adoption.
Family Division Contacts
| Office | Phone |
|---|---|
| Family Division Main Office | (856) 878-5050 ext. 15720 |
| Non-Dissolution (FD) | (856) 878-5050 ext. 15630 |
| Matrimonial (FM) | (856) 878-5050 ext. 15650 |
| Domestic Violence (FV) | (856) 878-5050 ext. 15640 |
| Children In Court (CIC) | (856) 878-5050 ext. 15660 |
Accessing Family Court Records
Most family court records are confidential under N.J. Court Rule 1:38-3. This includes juvenile delinquency files, domestic violence records, child placement records, guardianship records, and paternity records. Divorce records, however, are generally public. Family court records typically must be retrieved in person at the Cumberland County Courthouse. Contact the Family Division for alternative retrieval methods.
When requesting divorce documents, be aware that the Superior Court Clerk’s Office will only release divorce files to a party in the case or the attorney of record. Parties must include a valid state ID with their request. All others need a court order. Closed divorce cases from Cumberland County filed through 2008 have been transferred to the Records Information Center (RIC) in Trenton and can be requested through the SCCO.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates in Cumberland County are issued by the Local Vital Records Office in the municipality where the marriage occurred — not by the courts. Marriage records are confidential and only become public after 50 years. Eligible requesters include the record subject, parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, grandchildren, siblings, and legal representatives. Fees and procedures vary by municipality. For example, Maurice River Township Vital Statistics charges $10 per certified copy and $5 for each additional copy, with requests accepted in person and by mail using their application form.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records remain confidential for 80 years and death records for 40 years. Certified copies can be obtained from the Local Vital Records Office in the municipality where the event occurred. Fees range from $10 to $25 depending on the municipality. The Bridgeton Office of the Registrar charges $20 for birth certificates and $10 for death certificates, with mail requests requiring the submission of an application form.
Cumberland County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Cumberland County are handled by the Cumberland County Surrogate Court, which operates under Surrogate Rudolph A. (Skip) Luisi. The Surrogate has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, appointment of estate administrators, supervision of guardianship matters, and administration of adoptions, as governed by Title 3B of the New Jersey Statutes.
Cumberland County Surrogate Court
Address: 60 West Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Phone: (856) 453-4800
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Requesting Probate Records
The Surrogate’s Office strongly encourages individuals to call before visiting. Staff can explain what documents are needed and can often prepare probate papers in advance, saving an unnecessary trip. After receiving all necessary information, the office will prepare documents and schedule an appointment for signing.
Copies of probate court records are available in person at the courthouse:
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $3.00/page |
| Certified copies | $5.00/page |
Payment is accepted by check or cash. A photo ID is required at the time of the appointment.
Probate Forms
The Surrogate’s Office provides downloadable forms for estate matters, including:
- Probate Information Sheet
- Caveat and Withdrawal of Caveat
- Certification Form
- Notice of Probate / Proof of Mailing
- Form of Order
Additional staff contacts for the Surrogate’s Office include a Senior Probate Clerk who handles adoptions, guardianships, and probate court matters at (856) 453-4805, and a Probate Clerk at (856) 453-4803.
Adoption Records
Adoption records in New Jersey are sealed under N.J.S.A. 9:3-51 and 9:3-52. They are not available for public inspection. Opening sealed adoption records requires a court order from a Superior Court judge, Chancery Division, Family Part. The process typically involves filing a notarized petition with the Surrogate and paying required fees. Contact the Surrogate’s Office for specific filing procedures.
Municipal Courts in Cumberland County
For completeness, records of traffic violations and disorderly persons offenses are maintained by the individual municipal courts. Cumberland County’s municipal courts include:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeton Joint Municipal Court | 330 Fayette St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 | (856) 451-7565 |
| Cumberland Salem Regional Municipal Court | 1325 Highway 77, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 | (856) 455-8722 |
| Fairfield Township Municipal Court | 70 Fairton Gouldtown Rd., Fairton, NJ 08320 | (856) 453-3157 |
| Millville Municipal Court | 18 S. High St., 4th Fl., Millville, NJ 08332 | (856) 825-7000 x7619 |
| Vineland Municipal Court | 736 East Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360 | (856) 794-4214 |
Municipal court cases can be searched online through the Municipal Court Case Search portal maintained by the NJ Judiciary. A guide to the judicial process published by the courts provides further orientation to how cases move through New Jersey’s court system.