Bergen County Courts

Bergen County is New Jersey's most populous county. With more than 978,000 residents, the county holds about 10% of the state's 9.5 million residents. The City of Hackensack serves as its county seat and most populous municipality.

According to the NJ Judiciary Annual Reports, the trial courts in Bergen County typically process about 47,000 case filings yearly. This includes approximately 3,500 domestic violence matters, 2,000 criminal actions, 20,000 civil filings, and 700 probate proceedings.

Each trial court in Bergen County has jurisdiction over specific types of cases.

• Bergen County Superior Court has special divisions that handle criminal, civil, and family law cases.
• Bergen County Surrogate's Court handles probate, estate administration, and guardianship cases.
• Municipal Courts hear traffic offenses, disorderly persons charges, and local ordinance violations.

Bergen County's main trial courts are located in Hackensack, while the Municipal Courts operate in towns and boroughs across the county.

How To Access Bergen County Court Records

TheNew Jersey Open Public Records Act gives individuals the right to access Bergen County court records. Interested persons may view these records online or obtain paper copies from designated court clerks. They may be required to provide case numbers, names of involved parties, valid identification, and copy fees to obtain specific court documents.

Not all court records are available to the public. The OPR Act exempts records that contain sensitive or confidential information, such as juvenile case files, adoption records, and substance abuse reports.Access to such restricted records is typically limited to parties involved in the case, their attorneys, or individuals with special court permissions. Public access to sealed court records is also restricted.

The following are the major ways to access court records in Bergen County, NJ.

Online

Bergen County, NJ, court records are available online through the state's Find a Case tool. The database provides access to various case types, including civil and forfeiture cases, criminal cases, criminal judgments, and municipal court cases. To begin a search, users must select the appropriate case category and enter relevant details such as a party name or case number. Once results appear, users should click on each case file to access additional case information.

Individuals may also find public court records online through CourtCaseFinder. The tool simplifies record searches by gathering court data from counties across the United States. For federal cases heard in Bergen County, interested persons may find them through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records service (PACER). To access federal court documents, users must sign up for a free PACER account. However, viewing documents typically incurs a charge of $0.10 per page.

In-Person

The NJ Superior Court Clerk's Office (SCCO) maintains and provides access to court records in Bergen County. To access these records, submit formal requests in person to the SCCO at:

A requester should complete the Records Request Form and provide details such as the case number, party names, and the type of document sought. Valid photo identification may be required for certain records, and fees may apply for copies or certified documents. Interested persons may also get court records by visiting the Superior, Surrogate's, and Municipal courthouses in Bergen County. Public terminals may be available in some local courthouses, allowing requesters to look up case information.

Old and Archived Court Records

Historical court records from Bergen County, especially those created before 1900, are typically maintained by the New Jersey State Archives. These records often include probate files, land deeds, civil case documents, and early criminal proceedings. Interested persons may submit written requests by mail or in person to:

How To File a Case in Bergen County

Before filing a case in Bergen County, litigants should visit or contact the nearest official court clerk or administrator to identify which trial court has jurisdiction over the matter. The clerk may also provide instructions on how to file a case, required forms, and any applicable fees.

There are three ways to file a case in Bergen County: by mail, in person, or online. To file by mail, litigants may download relevant forms, include the appropriate filing fee, and mail the documents to the relevant court address. They may also file cases online through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) system. The JEDS Reference Guides provide instructions on how to register new accounts and submit documents electronically. For in-person filings, litigants must bring completed forms and the required filing fee to the appropriate courthouse during regular business hours.

In Bergen County, court filing fees generally vary by case type. Individuals who cannot afford the fees may apply for a fee waiver by submitting the Fee Waiver Application, along with supporting financial documents. After reviewing the documents, the judge may approve the waiver, deny it, or schedule a hearing to gather more information. If approved, the filer may proceed without paying court fees for that case.

The following steps simplify the process of filing a case in Bergen County, NJ:

• Determine whether the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court, Surrogate's Court, or a local Municipal Court.
• Check the NJ Courts Forms Catalog to search and download official court-approved forms for your specific case.
• Complete the appropriate forms accurately. For assistance with filling out forms, consult a legal professional or review self-help resources available on the NJ Courts website.
• Include supporting documents such as contracts, medical records, photos, police reports, or any evidence relevant to the claim.
• Submit the filing fee or a fee waiver application.
• After filing, ensure the other party is properly notified and submit proof of service to the court as required.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

Residents facing legal issues and financial hardship may find help at community law clinics and legal aid nonprofits in Bergen County. These organizations typically offer free or low-cost legal help. They may also refer individuals to attorneys who charge reduced fees.

Legal aids and referral resources available in Bergen County include the following:

• Bergen County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Bergen County Community Mental Health Law Project - Provides free legal services to residents diagnosed with mental illness.
• Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (NNJLS) - Offers free legal help to low-income county residents.

Statewide self-help resources available to the public include:

• Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) - Provides free legal assistance and information to low-income residents in the state.
• New Jersey Directory of Lawyer Referral and Legal Services Offices

Other legal aid services and self-help resources are listed below:

• Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) - Provides legal advocacy and protective services for survivors of domestic abuse in Bergen County.
• Community Health Law Project (CHLP) - For residents with disabilities and chronic health conditions.
• Fair Housing Council of Northern New Jersey - For individuals facing housing discrimination.
• NJ State Bar Association Military Legal Assistance Program - Offers free legal help to active-duty military personnel and veterans on civil legal matters.
• New Jersey Courts Self-Help Center - Contains court-approved forms and information for self-represented litigants.

Types of Courts in Bergen County, New Jersey

Bergen County's court system, including the Superior, Surrogate, Municipal, and Federal Courts, provides legal protections to residents and businesses through its various court divisions. The following provides a summary of each court's jurisdiction and contact information:

Bergen County Superior Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Hears different types of cases through its Civil, Criminal, Family, and Chancery Court Divisions. Examples of legal matters resolved at the county's apex trial court include civil disputes, felony-level crimes, divorces, and equitable relief such as foreclosures and injunctions.
• Address and Contact Information

Bergen County Surrogate's Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Oversees probate and estate matters, including the validation of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, and guardianships for older adults and minors.
• Address and Contact Information -

Bergen County Municipal Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts handle traffic violations, DUI crimes, local ordinance offenses, disorderly persons charges, and minor criminal matters.

The Municipal Court locations in Bergen County are listed below:

Allendale Municipal Court

Alpine Municipal Court

Bergenfield Municipal Court

Carlstadt Municipal Court

Central Bergen Municipal Court

Cliffside Park Municipal Court

Dumont Municipal Court

East Rutherford Municipal Court

Edgewater Municipal Court

Elmwood Park Municipal Court

Emerson Municipal Court

Englewood Municipal Court

Englewood Cliffs Municipal Court

Fairview Municipal Court

Fort Lee Municipal Court

Franklin Lakes Municipal Court

Garfield Municipal Court

Glen Rock Municipal Court

Hackensack Municipal Court

Harrington Park Municipal Court

Hasbrouck Heights Municipal Court

Haworth Municipal Court

Ho-Ho-Kus Municipal Court

Leonia Municipal Court

Little Ferry Municipal Court

Lodi Municipal Court

Lyndhurst Municipal Court

Mahwah Municipal Court

Midland Park Municipal Court

Montvale Municipal Court

New Milford Municipal Court

North Arlington Municipal Court

Northvale Municipal Court

Norwood Municipal Court

Oakland Municipal Court

Old Tappan Municipal Court

Palisades Park Municipal Court

Paramus Municipal Court

Ramsey Municipal Court

Ridgefield Municipal Court

Ridgefield Park Municipal Court

Ridgewood Municipal Court

River Edge Municipal Court

Rochelle Park Municipal Court

Rutherford Municipal Court

Saddle Brook Municipal Court

Saddle River Municipal Court

South Hackensack Municipal Court

Teaneck Municipal Court

Tenafly Municipal Court

Teterboro Municipal Court

Upper Saddle River Municipal Court

Waldwick Municipal Court

Westwood Municipal Court

Wyckoff Municipal Court

Federal Courts in Bergen County

The following are the federal courts in the county:

United States District Court for the New Jersey District (Newark)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Hears federal cases, including civil and criminal matters governed by U.S. law. This includes constitutional issues, multi-state civil disputes, cases involving federal agencies, immigration matters, and civil rights violations.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - New Jersey District

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - It resolves all bankruptcy-related matters under federal law, including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bergen County Courts

Some frequently asked questions about Bergen County, NJ courts are answered below: