Access Camden County Divorce Decree
Camden County divorce decree records are managed by the Superior Court, Family Division at the Hall of Justice in Camden. The county sits across the Delaware River from Philadelphia and has roughly 520,000 residents. Whether you need a copy of a divorce decree or want to look up a case, the Family Division clerk can help. You can also search Camden County divorce records through the New Jersey Courts online portal. The court handles all divorce decree filings from every municipality in the county.
Camden County Quick Facts
Camden County Divorce Decree Court Office
The Family Division at the Hall of Justice handles every divorce decree filed in Camden County. The building is at 101 South 5th Street in Camden. Staff process new filings, maintain case files, and provide copies of divorce decrees. The office keeps records from the last three years on site. Older divorce decree records are transferred to the state Records Center in Trenton for long-term storage.
The Camden County Superior Court Family Division serves all municipalities in the county. This includes Camden City, Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township, Winslow Township, Voorhees, Haddonfield, Collingswood, and Pennsauken. Call 856-379-2204 for the dissolution intake line. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring a valid photo ID for any in-person request. The courthouse has paid parking in nearby lots and is fully accessible.
| Court |
Camden County Superior Court Family Division, 2nd Floor 101 South 5th Street Camden, NJ 08103 Phone: (856) 379-2204 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov/courts/superior/camden |
Note: For recent divorce decree cases less than three years old, always contact the Camden County Family Division first rather than the Records Center.
Search Camden County Divorce Records
There are multiple ways to search for a divorce decree in Camden County. You can go online, visit the Hall of Justice, or send a written request by mail. Each method has pros and limits.
The New Jersey Courts public access portal is free. Select "Family" as the case type. Enter a last name. The system pulls up filing dates, case status, and party names for Camden County divorce cases. You will not see the full divorce decree. The portal is best for confirming a case exists and getting the docket number. The courthouse also provides public computer terminals during business hours for free case lookups.
To get certified copies of a Camden County divorce decree, you need to contact the clerk directly. In-person requests with complete case information can often be processed the same day. Mail requests go through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system. Certified copies cost $25. Plain copies run $0.05 per page.
What Camden County Divorce Decree Contains
The divorce decree is the court order that dissolves a marriage in Camden County. It is the final judgment signed by a judge. Every divorce decree includes the terms both parties must follow going forward. Courts issue this document after both sides reach an agreement or after a trial in Camden County.
A Camden County divorce decree typically covers:
- Names of both spouses and the docket number
- Date of marriage and separation
- Grounds for the divorce under state law
- How property and debts are divided
- Child custody and parenting time schedules
- Child support and alimony if ordered
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, the grounds for divorce in New Jersey include both fault and no-fault options. Most Camden County cases use irreconcilable differences. The divorce decree becomes part of the public record, though some financial or child-related details may be redacted in public copies per N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.
Divorce Decree Filing Process
Filing for divorce in Camden County begins at the Hall of Justice. You file a complaint for divorce and pay the $300 fee. The clerk gives you a docket number. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for at least 12 months before filing on no-fault grounds.
You then serve the other spouse with the papers. The Camden County Sheriff handles service, or you can hire a private process server. Certified mail is another option. Proof of service goes into the court file. There is no mandatory wait period in New Jersey after you file. Uncontested cases can reach a final divorce decree within a few months. If the parties disagree on terms, the case may go to mediation or a settlement conference. Camden County offers alternative dispute resolution programs to help both sides reach an agreement without going to trial. If no deal is reached, a judge holds a trial and issues the divorce decree.
The final judgment of divorce is the divorce decree. It ends the marriage and is entered into the Camden County court records. You can verify case status at any time through the eCourts portal.
Older Camden County Divorce Decree Records
Camden County divorce decree records older than three years go to the Superior Court Records Center at 171 Jersey Street in Trenton. The Records Center serves all 21 New Jersey counties. Call 609-421-6100 or email SCCO.Mailbox@njcourts.gov to request records. A certified copy of a Camden County divorce decree costs $25. A certificate of divorce is $10. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days for standard requests.
Camden County was formed from Gloucester County in 1844. Historical records from before that year may be in Gloucester County collections. For very old cases, the New Jersey State Archives at 225 West State Street in Trenton holds chancery court records. The Archives can search up to five years for a specific divorce decree at $1.00 per page for copies.
Note: The Records Center keeps a searchable index of all Camden County divorce cases and can help even if you do not have the full docket number.
Camden County Divorce Certificates
A divorce certificate is different from a divorce decree. The certificate is a shorter document from the New Jersey Department of Health. It proves the divorce happened but does not list the terms. The divorce decree from the court has the full settlement details. Many legal matters require the decree, not just the certificate.
You can order a certificate by mail from the Office of Vital Statistics at P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. The cost is $25 per certified copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $2 each. The office keeps records for divorces going back to 1848. For the complete Camden County divorce decree with all terms and conditions, you must go through the Superior Court clerk.
Legal Help for Camden County Divorce
Free legal aid is available for Camden County residents who qualify. Legal Services of New Jersey runs a hotline at (888) 576-5529. South Jersey Legal Services has an office that covers Camden County for family law matters. The New Jersey Courts Self-Help Center provides forms and step-by-step instructions for people filing without a lawyer. Camden County also offers mediation services and parenting workshops through the Family Division.
The state bar referral line is 1-800-792-8315 for a first consultation with a family law attorney in Camden County. The first meeting lasts up to 30 minutes.
Cities in Camden County
Camden County has 37 municipalities. All divorce decree cases are filed at the Superior Court, Family Division at the Hall of Justice in Camden. The courthouse serves the entire county.
Other municipalities in Camden County include Gloucester Township, Winslow Township, Voorhees, Haddonfield, Collingswood, Pennsauken, Bellmawr, Haddon Township, and Stratford. All divorce decree filings go through the Camden courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties are next to Camden County. Make sure you file your divorce case in the county where you live. The court needs jurisdiction for your divorce decree to be valid.