Find Hudson County Divorce Decree
Hudson County divorce decree records are held at the Superior Court, Family Division in Jersey City. This is one of the most densely populated counties in the entire United States, with about 700,000 people living across the Hudson River from New York City. The Family Division handles a large volume of divorce cases each year. If you need a divorce decree from Hudson County, the clerk's office at 595 Newark Avenue in Jersey City is where to start. This guide covers how to search for and get a copy of a Hudson County divorce decree.
Hudson County Quick Facts
Hudson County Divorce Decree Court Office
The Hudson County Family Division is located at the Administration Building, 595 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. This office stores all recent divorce decree records for the county. The staff handles a high caseload because of the county's large and diverse population. Multilingual services are available to help residents from many different backgrounds.
To request a divorce decree at the Hudson County courthouse, bring a valid photo ID. You should also have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. A docket number makes the search faster. The clerk can look up your case and make copies on the spot for recent records. Hudson County was formed in 1840 from Bergen County and today includes Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken, Union City, North Bergen Township, and West New York. All of these places file divorce cases at this one courthouse in Jersey City.
The Hudson County Superior Court page on the New Jersey Judiciary website has contact details and office hours for the Family Division.
Paid parking is available in nearby lots and garages. The building is fully accessible.
| Court |
Hudson County Superior Court Family Division 595 Newark Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306 Phone: (201) 664-5600 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov/courts/superior/hudson |
Search Hudson County Divorce Decree Records
You have several ways to search for a Hudson County divorce decree. The fastest is to go in person to the courthouse in Jersey City. The clerk can look up your case while you wait. For basic case data, the New Jersey Courts eCourts portal shows case status and filing dates at no charge. But you cannot download the actual divorce decree from the website. You need to contact the court for copies of the judgment itself.
You can also search through the eCourts case search system. Select "Family" as the case type and enter the party name or docket number. This pulls up basic case details for Hudson County divorces. For a certified copy of the divorce decree, fill out the Judiciary Records Request Form and submit it to the clerk. The Superior Court Clerk's Office provides guidance on the request process, fees, and what to include with your submission.
The Electronic Access Program (EAP) also lets you view Hudson County case data online for $4.00 per minute. This is useful for attorneys and people who need quick lookups. The program does not provide document copies.
Note: In-person requests with full case details can sometimes be filled the same day at the Hudson County courthouse.
Hudson County Divorce Filing Process
Filing for divorce in Hudson County starts with a complaint at the Superior Court in Jersey City. You pay the $300 filing fee. The clerk gives you a docket number. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for a full year before filing on no-fault grounds.
After you file, the other spouse must be served with the papers. The Hudson County Sheriff can handle this. You can also hire a private process server or use certified mail. Proof of service goes in the court file. If both sides agree on the terms, the case can wrap up fairly quickly with an uncontested hearing. Contested cases may go through mediation or an early settlement panel. Hudson County sits right across the Hudson River from Manhattan, so many cases involve spouses who work in New York or have financial ties to both states. The final judgment of divorce is the official divorce decree in the Hudson County court record.
Note: Hudson County provides self-help packets and multilingual resources for people filing without an attorney.
Divorce Decree Fees in Hudson County
Hudson County uses the state fee schedule for all divorce matters. Filing a complaint costs $300. Pro se filers pay an extra $25. Certified copies of the divorce decree cost $25 each. A Certificate of Divorce from the Department of Health is $10.
Other fees that come up in a Hudson County divorce case:
- Motion filing: $15.00
- Post-judgment motion: $30.00
- Appeal: $200.00
- Plain copies: $0.05 per page
Pay with a check or money order to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey." People with low income can apply for a fee waiver. Call the Hudson County clerk at (201) 664-5600 to confirm current rates before you visit or mail a payment.
What Hudson County Divorce Decree Records Include
A Hudson County divorce decree is the court order that ends a marriage. It is the main document people ask for when they need proof of their divorce. The decree holds all the final terms of the case.
The divorce decree from Hudson County lists names and addresses of both spouses, the marriage date, and when the court granted the divorce. It covers property division, child custody and parenting time, support amounts, and alimony. Grounds for divorce are stated per N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2. You need certified copies for things like changing your name on a passport or selling real estate. The Hudson County clerk in Jersey City provides certified copies of the divorce decree.
Other papers in the case file include the complaint, the answer, financial documents, and settlement agreements. All records are public under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, though some details about children may be redacted.
Older Hudson County Divorce Records
The Hudson County Family Division holds divorce records for the most recent three years. After that, files move to the Superior Court Records Center at 171 Jersey Street in Trenton. Reach them at 609-421-6100. Mail your request with both names, the approximate date, any docket number, a photo ID copy, and payment.
Processing at the Trenton center takes four to six weeks. Hudson County was formed from Bergen County in 1840, so records before that year may be found in Bergen County collections. For historical records, contact the New Jersey State Archives at 225 West State Street, Trenton. Copies cost $1.00 per page.
Legal Help for Hudson County Divorce
Legal Services of New Jersey serves Hudson County and provides free help to low-income residents. Call (888) 576-5529 to ask about divorce assistance. Northeast New Jersey Legal Services also covers Hudson County for family law matters.
The New Jersey State Bar Association has a lawyer referral line at 1-800-792-8315. The first meeting is up to 30 minutes. They can connect you with a family law attorney in the Jersey City area. The Courts Self-Help Center has all forms and instructions for filing a divorce decree in Hudson County on your own.
Cities in Hudson County
Hudson County has several cities and towns. All divorce cases are filed at the Hudson County Superior Court in Jersey City. The courthouse serves the whole county from one location.
Other places in Hudson County include Kearny, Harrison, Secaucus, Guttenberg, and Weehawken. All file divorce cases at the Hudson County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hudson County. Confirm which county you live in before filing. You must file your case in the right county for the court to take jurisdiction.