Union Township Divorce Decree Lookup
Union Township divorce decree records are on file at the Union County Superior Court in Elizabeth. This township in Union County has close to 59,000 residents. All divorce decrees for Union Township go through the county court system. The court clerk stores every divorce decree and can provide copies to parties and the public. You can search for a Union Township divorce decree at the courthouse or through the state online system.
Union Township Quick Facts
Union Township Divorce Decree Court
Union Township is part of Union County. All divorce cases and final divorce decrees for Union Township residents are processed at the Union County Superior Court, Family Division in Elizabeth. The courthouse is on Broad Street in downtown Elizabeth, about a 10-minute drive from Union Township. This court handles family law matters for all 21 municipalities in Union County.
| Court | Union County Superior Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07207 |
| Phone | (908) 659-3100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov - Union County |
The courthouse in Elizabeth is near the NJ Transit Elizabeth station. Paid parking is available in nearby lots. Security screens all visitors, so bring a photo ID and leave large bags at home. Call ahead at (908) 659-3100 if you want to check on the status of a Union Township divorce decree before you visit.
How to Get a Divorce Decree in Union Township
To get a copy of a divorce decree from Union Township, you go to the Union County clerk office in Elizabeth. The clerk can look up cases by the names of either spouse or by docket number. Once the file is found, staff can make copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted by banks, government offices, and other agencies. Plain copies cost less and work for personal use.
You can also use the New Jersey Courts Find a Case portal to search for basic case information. The online tool shows party names, filing dates, and case status for Union County cases. It does not display the full divorce decree. For the actual document, you need to contact the clerk or visit the court.
The Union Township government website at uniontownship.com provides information about township services and departments. Below is a screenshot of the Union Township portal.
Township hall does not issue divorce decrees. But it can direct you to county and state offices that do. Staff at the township clerk office sometimes field questions about vital records and can point you to the right place.
Note: Divorce decree copies from the Union County court take one to three business days if the file needs to be pulled from storage.
Filing for a Divorce Decree in Union Township
Union Township residents start the divorce process at the Union County Superior Court. The first step is to meet the residency rule. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must have been a New Jersey resident for 12 months or more to file on no-fault grounds. You can have lived anywhere in the state during that time. Living in Union Township now is enough as long as the 12-month rule is met.
You file the complaint for divorce at the clerk window in Elizabeth. The cost is $300. An extra $25 is added if you have no lawyer. The complaint must state the grounds for divorce. Most Union Township residents choose the no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2. This requires that the marriage has had problems for at least six months with no real chance of fixing them.
Once the complaint is filed, you serve the other spouse. The Union County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail can do this. After service and a response from the other side, the case moves toward resolution. If both spouses agree on everything, the court schedules a final hearing where the judge signs the divorce decree. That decree ends the marriage and becomes a permanent record at the Union County court.
Divorce Decree Public Records in Union Township
A divorce decree filed in Union County is a public record under the Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. Anyone can request a copy of a divorce decree from the court clerk. Certain parts of the case file may be sealed, like financial disclosures or child welfare reports. The divorce decree itself stays open in most cases. The New Jersey Courts system at njcourts.gov/self-help/divorce explains what records are public and what may be restricted.
If you need a divorce certificate instead of a full decree, contact the New Jersey Department of Health. The certificate is a short form that shows names, date, and county. It costs $25 for one certified copy. The divorce decree from the court has all the details, including property division, custody, and support terms. Most people who need to prove terms of a past divorce will want the full decree from the Union County court.
The state courts website provides tools to help you find and track divorce cases. The electronic filing system lets you submit papers online for cases already on file. This can save Union Township residents a trip to the courthouse when they need to file a motion or update after the divorce decree has been entered.
The Find a Case portal shown above is free to use and covers all counties in the state.
Legal Help in Union Township
Several groups offer free or low-cost help with divorce decree matters in Union Township. Legal Services of New Jersey at lsnj.org serves residents who qualify based on income. Call (888) 576-5529 to ask about help with your case. The State Bar lawyer referral line at 1-800-792-8315 sets up a first meeting at a low fee.
The Superior Court Clerk office can answer questions about getting copies of old divorce decrees. If your case is from years ago, the file may have been moved to a records center. The clerk can tell you how long it will take to pull it. The Union County Family Division also has a self-help window for people who are handling their own case.
- Legal Services of New Jersey: (888) 576-5529
- State Bar referral service: 1-800-792-8315
- Union County court clerk: (908) 659-3100
- Department of Health vital records: (609) 292-4087
- NJ Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-572-7233
Note: The Union County courthouse in Elizabeth also offers mediation services for divorce cases that do not settle on their own.
Union Township Divorce Decree Fees
Court fees for a Union Township divorce follow the state schedule. Filing a complaint costs $300. The pro se surcharge is $25. Motions cost $15, and post-judgment motions cost $30. Certified copy fees depend on the number of pages. Call the Union County clerk at (908) 659-3100 for current rates.
If you have low income, you can apply for a fee waiver with the court. You fill out the waiver form and show proof that you cannot afford the fees. The judge reviews the request and makes a decision. Fee waivers cover filing costs but may not cover things like service by the sheriff. Public assistance cards, recent pay stubs, or tax records are common proof the court accepts for a Union Township divorce decree fee waiver.
Union County Divorce Decree Records
Union Township is in Union County, and all divorce decree filings go through the Union County Superior Court in Elizabeth. The court handles cases for all 21 towns in the county. For more on the county court system, full fee lists, and additional resources, visit the Union County divorce decree records page.