Camden Divorce Decree Records
Camden divorce decree records are kept at the Camden County Superior Court, Family Division. Camden is the county seat of Camden County, with a population of about 74,000 residents. If you need a copy of a divorce decree filed in Camden, the court clerk can help you find the case and get copies of the final judgment. You can search for a Camden divorce decree by visiting the courthouse or by using the state court system online. All divorce decree filings for Camden go through the Camden County court.
Camden Quick Facts
Camden Divorce Decree Filing Location
Camden residents file for divorce at the Camden County Superior Court, Family Division. The court sits at 101 South 5th Street in Camden. As the county seat, Camden is home to the main courthouse that serves all of Camden County. The clerk of the court keeps all divorce decree files and can give you copies of any judgment on record. Walk-in visits are the best way to get a certified copy of a Camden divorce decree the same day you need it.
| Court | Camden County Superior Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 S 5th Street Camden, NJ 08103 |
| Phone | (856) 379-2204 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov - Camden Superior Court |
The courthouse is near the PATCO Speedline station in downtown Camden, which makes it easy to reach from Philadelphia and other parts of South Jersey. Street parking is limited, so plan to use a lot or garage. You will need a photo ID to pass through security at the front door. Leave large bags at home if you plan to pick up a divorce decree at the Camden courthouse.
The City of Camden also has local government offices that can point you in the right direction for court records. The Camden city government portal lists department contacts and hours for various city services.
While the city itself does not hold divorce decree files, Camden staff can tell you which court office to call for your case.
Search for a Divorce Decree in Camden
There are two main ways to search for a divorce decree in Camden. You can search online through the state court system, or you can visit the Camden County courthouse in person. Online searches give you basic case data such as names, dates, and case status. For a full copy of the divorce decree, you need to go to the clerk or submit a written request.
The New Jersey Courts website lets you look up cases filed in Camden County. You can search by the name of one spouse or by docket number. The system shows case type, filing date, and current status. It does not show the full text of the divorce decree, but it tells you that the case exists. Visit njcourts.gov/public/find-a-case to start your search for a Camden divorce decree.
You can also contact the clerk by phone at (856) 379-2204 to ask about a divorce decree filed in Camden. Staff can look up the case and tell you what steps to take to get copies. Certified copies of a divorce decree cost more than plain copies, so ask about fees when you call.
Note: Online search results show basic case data but not the full divorce decree text.
How to File for Divorce in Camden
Filing for divorce in Camden follows the same steps as the rest of New Jersey. You start by meeting the residency rule under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10. At least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for 12 months or more before filing on no-fault grounds. If you live in Camden now, you file at the Camden County Superior Court. The complaint starts the case and creates the first record in your divorce decree file.
Next, you need to state the grounds for divorce. Most people in Camden use the no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences that lasted at least six months. This ground is set out in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2. You can also cite fault grounds like desertion, extreme cruelty, or separation for 18 months or more. The complaint form asks you to pick one ground and explain it briefly. You file this form at the Camden County courthouse with the $300 filing fee.
After filing, you must serve your spouse with the papers. You can use the Camden County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. The proof of service goes into the court file. If your spouse does not respond in 35 days, you can ask for a default judgment. If both sides agree on all terms, an uncontested case can be done in two to three months in Camden. The final divorce decree is the court order that ends the marriage and divides property, sets custody, and orders support.
The Camden Health Department handles vital records for the city, though divorce decree copies come from the court, not the health office.
Note: The $300 filing fee is standard across New Jersey for all divorce cases filed in Camden.
Camden Divorce Decree Fees
Fees for divorce in Camden match the state fee schedule. The cost to start a new case is $300. If you file without a lawyer, there is a $25 pro se surcharge. Motion fees run $15 each, and post-judgment motions cost $30. Call the clerk at (856) 379-2204 to check the latest fee amounts before you file for a divorce decree in Camden.
Getting copies of a divorce decree in Camden also has fees. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. A certified copy carries the court seal and is valid for legal use. You may need a certified copy of your Camden divorce decree to change your name, update your Social Security card, or remarry. Ask the clerk what the current copy fee is when you request your divorce decree.
Low-income residents of Camden can ask for a fee waiver. You fill out an application and show proof that you cannot pay the fees. The court reviews it and decides. If approved, you can file your divorce case in Camden at no cost.
Legal Help for Camden Divorce Decree Cases
Several groups offer free or low-cost legal help to Camden residents going through a divorce. Legal Services of New Jersey runs the LSNJLAWSM hotline at (888) 576-5529, which serves all of Camden County. Their website at lsnj.org lists the types of cases they handle and how to apply. South Jersey Legal Services also serves Camden and can help with divorce decree matters for people who qualify by income.
The New Jersey Courts Self-Help Center at njcourts.gov/self-help/divorce has all the forms and guides you need to handle your own divorce decree case in Camden. You can download complaint forms, answer forms, and financial disclosure forms. The site walks you through each step of the process. The Camden County courthouse also has a self-help window where staff can help you pick the right forms.
If you want to file papers online, the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system at njcourts.gov lets you submit court documents from home. This can save you a trip to the Camden courthouse.
Camden Municipal Court and Divorce Decree Records
The Camden Municipal Court handles traffic tickets, local ordinance cases, and minor criminal matters. It does not handle divorce cases or issue divorce decrees. All divorce decree filings in Camden go through the Superior Court, Family Division. If you called the municipal court by mistake, they can give you the number for the Superior Court clerk who handles divorce decree records in Camden.
Note: Camden Municipal Court does not process divorce decree requests.
Divorce Decree vs. Certificate in Camden
A divorce decree and a divorce certificate are two different documents. The divorce decree is the full court order from the Camden County Superior Court. It contains all terms of the divorce, such as property split, child custody, and support amounts. A divorce certificate is a short form from the New Jersey Department of Health that confirms the divorce took place.
The New Jersey Department of Health issues divorce certificates for all cases in the state, including those filed in Camden. You can order one by mail for $25 per certified copy. Send your request to the Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton. For the full divorce decree with all court orders, you must contact the Camden County Superior Court clerk. Most people who need to prove a Camden divorce for legal purposes will want the full divorce decree rather than just a certificate.
Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, divorce decree records in Camden are public records. Anyone can request basic case information from the court. Some parts of the file may be sealed if the judge ordered it, but the divorce decree itself is generally available to the public.
Camden County Divorce Decree Records
Camden is the county seat of Camden County, and all divorce decree filings go through the Camden County Superior Court. The county court handles cases for more than 30 towns in the area, with Camden being the largest city. For more details on the county court system, fee lists, and other resources, visit the Camden County divorce decree records page.