Gloucester County Court Records
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Gloucester County, in southern New Jersey, has a court system that produces hundreds of thousands of records each year — spanning criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family matters, and probate proceedings. The Gloucester County Superior Court, part of New Jersey's unified judicial structure, is the primary trial-level court for the county. Court records — including complaints, motions, judgments, orders, and docket entries — are kept by the court clerk's office and various county departments. Whether you need to check a pending lawsuit, review a criminal disposition, or get a certified divorce judgment, the first step is knowing which office holds the records and how to request them.
If you're searching for court case information in New Jersey, official court resources, local clerk offices, and courthouse public access terminals are your best starting points. The New Jersey Judiciary maintains online tools for looking up certain case types electronically. The statewide courts website, NewJerseyCourts.us, can help you find publicly available case data, learn about filing procedures, and access court forms. For Gloucester County specifically, the Superior Court divisions and the County Clerk each play distinct roles in managing records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Gloucester County?
How you search depends on the case type and how much identifying information you have. Here are your main options.
Online Case Search
The New Jersey Judiciary offers free electronic access to certain case records through two public portals:
- Criminal and municipal case dockets can be searched through the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system. Search by defendant name, case number, or date range to find case status, charges, and disposition information.
- Civil case records for Superior Court matters are available through the Civil Case Public Access portal, which includes docket information for active and recently disposed civil actions.
In-Person Searches
Gloucester County's Superior Court operates at two facilities in Woodbury:
Gloucester County Justice Complex
70 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 853-3200
Gloucester County Courthouse
1 North Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 853-3200
Public access terminals are available at both locations during business hours. Walk-in visitors can review case files and obtain copies from the appropriate division clerk.
Written and Electronic Requests
The New Jersey Judiciary offers a standardized Records Request Form that you can complete and submit electronically. When you submit a request, specify:
- The division (civil, criminal, family, or general equity)
- The case number, if known
- Full party names
- Approximate filing date range
For requests directed to the Gloucester County Clerk's Office, you can submit by mail, in person, by fax at (856) 853-3327, by phone at (856) 853-3237, or by email to jhogan@co.gloucester.nj.us.
Are Court Records Public in Gloucester County?
New Jersey law creates a strong presumption of public access to court records, balanced against privacy protections for certain sensitive categories.
General Public Access
Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and Rule 1:38 of the New Jersey Rules of Court, most court records are open for public inspection. Civil complaints, criminal indictments, judgments, sentencing orders, and general docket sheets are all generally available. You don't need a specific reason or legal interest to request copies.
Restricted and Confidential Records
Certain categories of court records are not publicly accessible under Rule 1:38 and related statutes:
- Juvenile records — Proceedings and records involving juveniles are confidential and sealed from public view.
- Family division records — Many records from the Family Division, including those involving child welfare, domestic violence temporary restraining orders, and adoption proceedings, carry access restrictions.
- Grand jury materials — Grand jury proceedings, testimony, and related records remain sealed unless a court orders disclosure.
- Jury questionnaires — Individual juror information is not available to the general public.
- Search warrant affidavits — These may be sealed during an active investigation.
- Expunged records — Once a court grants an expungement order, the associated criminal records are removed from public access.
Copies and Fees
When records are available, the New Jersey Judiciary applies a uniform fee schedule:
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | $0.05–$0.07 per page |
| Certified copy | $15.00 |
| Seal (authentication) | $10.00 |
| Exemplified copy | $50.00 |
| Triple exemplified copy | $60.00 |
| Certificate of divorce | $10.00 |
| Certified divorce judgment | $25.00 |
Pay by check or money order made payable to Treasurer — State of New Jersey. For questions about copy requests directed to the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Trenton, contact SCCO.Mailbox@njcourts.gov.
Gloucester County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Gloucester County move through two levels. The Superior Court Criminal Division handles indictable offenses — New Jersey's equivalent of felony-level charges. The county's 16 municipal courts handle disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses, traffic violations, and local ordinance violations.
Where Criminal Records Are Maintained
Superior Court criminal case files — including indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgments of conviction — are held by the Criminal Division clerk at the Gloucester County Justice Complex, 70 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096. Municipal court records stay with each individual municipal court.
Searching Criminal Records
The PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal is the main online tool for finding criminal and municipal case information. You can search by:
- Defendant last and first name
- Case number or complaint number
- Date of birth
- Filing date range
Results include charge descriptions, case status, scheduled court dates, and disposition details for concluded matters.
Criminal History Records (CHRI)
Formal criminal history background checks in New Jersey are run by the New Jersey State Police. These are separate from court docket searches and involve fingerprint-based identification. Individuals and authorized employers can request criminal history records through the State Police's Identity Verification and Criminal History Check process.
Arrest Records
Arrest information for incidents involving county-level law enforcement may be available through the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office. Municipal police departments maintain their own arrest logs, and many municipalities publish recent arrest blotters on their websites.
Expungement
If you want a criminal record expunged, you'll need to file a petition in the Superior Court. Once granted, expunged records are removed from public court databases and are no longer accessible through PROMIS/Gavel or in-person record searches. New Jersey's expungement statutes are found at N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq.
Gloucester County Civil Court Records
The Superior Court Civil Division and the Special Civil Part hear civil matters in Gloucester County — covering contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, foreclosures, landlord-tenant actions, and small claims cases.
Court Location
Civil cases are filed and maintained at:
Gloucester County Justice Complex
70 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 853-3200
Types of Civil Records
Civil proceedings generate a range of records, including complaints and answers, motions and briefs, discovery materials filed with the court, court orders and judgments, writs of execution and garnishment, and liens and lis pendens filings.
Searching Civil Records Online
The Civil Case Public Access system shows docket information for Superior Court civil cases — party names, case type, filing dates, and case status. You can also run statewide judgment and lien searches for cases processed through the Superior Court Clerk's Office (SCCO) in Trenton through this portal.
Requesting Copies
To get copies of civil case documents, complete the Judiciary's Records Request Form and send it to the right office:
- Open/active cases — Submit to the Gloucester County Superior Court Civil Division.
- Statewide judgment, lien, and foreclosure files — Submit to the Superior Court Clerk's Office (SCCO) in Trenton.
- Closed/archived cases — Submit to SCCO, which manages the Records Information Center (RIC).
Standard copy fees apply: $0.05–$0.07 per page for plain copies, $15 for a certified copy. Make checks and money orders payable to Treasurer — State of New Jersey.
Small Claims and Landlord-Tenant
Small claims actions — disputes up to $3,000, or $5,000 for security deposit cases — and landlord-tenant matters are filed in the Special Civil Part. These records are kept locally at the Gloucester County courthouse and are searchable through the same civil public access tools.
Gloucester County Family Court Records
The Superior Court Family Division in Gloucester County handles dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect (Title 9 and Title 30 cases), adoption, kinship legal guardianship, and name changes.
Court Location
Family Division matters are heard at:
Gloucester County Justice Complex
70 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 853-3200
Access Restrictions
Family Division records carry significant access limitations under Rule 1:38 and various New Jersey statutes:
- Adoption records are sealed by statute and may only be released by court order. Direct inquiries to the Gloucester County Surrogate's Office.
- Juvenile delinquency records are confidential and not available through public search portals.
- Domestic violence case records, including temporary and final restraining orders, are restricted to the parties involved and authorized agencies.
- Child welfare records (DCPP/DYFS matters) are confidential under N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10a.
Divorce judgments and related financial orders, however, are generally accessible as public records once the case is concluded.
Obtaining Divorce Records
Divorce judgments can be requested through the Superior Court Clerk's Office. The SCCO maintains an inventory of archived divorce files by county. For Gloucester County, recently closed divorce files may still be at the local courthouse, while older files are stored at the Records Information Center in Trenton. A certified copy of a divorce judgment costs $25, and a certificate of divorce costs $10.
Vital Records — Marriage and Divorce Certificates
Marriage licenses and certificates are issued by the local registrar in the municipality where the license was obtained. You can also direct statewide requests for marriage, divorce, birth, and death certificates to the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics. Proof of relationship and applicable fees are required. The state vital records office is at 40 East Front Street, Trenton, NJ.
Requesting Family Court Records
For records that aren't restricted, use the Judiciary's Records Request Form. Specify Family Division as the division and include the case docket number if you have it. Keep in mind that the clerk may redact or deny access to portions of the file that fall under confidentiality protections.
Gloucester County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Gloucester County are handled by the Surrogate's Court — a constitutionally established office that operates separately from the Superior Court. The Surrogate handles the initial probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, and issuance of short certificates (letters testamentary or letters of administration).
Surrogate's Court Location
Gloucester County Surrogate's Court
17 North Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 853-3282
Fax: (856) 853-3311
Email: surrogate@co.gloucester.nj.us
What the Surrogate's Court Handles
The Surrogate's Court processes a range of matters, including probate of wills when assets are solely in the decedent's name, appointment of administrators for intestate estates, issuance of short certificates, Affidavits of Surviving Spouse (for estates of $50,000 or less when a surviving spouse exists), Affidavits of Next of Kin (for estates of $20,000 or less when no spouse survives), Standard Administration (for estates exceeding those thresholds or when required by statute), and guardianship of minors and incapacitated persons in conjunction with the Superior Court.
Scheduling a Probate Appointment
Call (856) 853-3282 to schedule your probate appointment. When you attend, bring:
- Original will and any codicils (if applicable)
- Original death certificate with raised seal
- Government-issued photo ID
- List and estimated value of assets in the decedent's name only
- Names, addresses, and dates of birth of all beneficiaries and next of kin
- Payment for filing fees (check, money order, or cash)
Probate Fees
The filing fee to probate a will is $100 for a document up to two pages, plus $5 for each additional page. This includes one short certificate. Additional short certificates are available for an extra charge. A complete list of fees is on the Gloucester County Surrogate's Fees page.
Intestate Estates
When someone dies without a will, the Surrogate applies New Jersey's intestacy statutes (N.J.S.A. 3B:5-3 et seq.) to determine who has the right to administer the estate. Priority goes to: surviving spouse, then children, parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. Renunciation or consent from individuals with higher priority may be required before the Surrogate can appoint an administrator. Administration cannot be granted until at least the sixth day after the decedent's death.
Useful Surrogate's Court Forms
The Surrogate's Office makes several downloadable forms available to help you prepare:
- Consent of Next of Kin
- Notice of Probate / Proof of Mailing
- New Estate Information Form
- Refunding Bond and Release
- Renunciation for Administration
- Renunciation of Executor
Searching Probate Records
Probate filings are generally public records and may be reviewed at the Surrogate's Office during business hours. Send written requests by mail to P.O. Box 177, Woodbury, NJ 08096, by fax to (856) 853-3311, or by email to surrogate@co.gloucester.nj.us. Standard copy fees apply for any documents reproduced. Contested probate matters and guardianship litigation are transferred to the Superior Court Chancery Division Probate Part, and those case files are maintained by the Superior Court clerk.