Salem County Divorce Decree Records

Salem County divorce decree records are stored at the Superior Court, Family Division in Salem. This is the least populated county in New Jersey with about 65,000 residents, and the court handles a smaller number of cases than most other counties. You can search for a divorce decree in Salem County by going to the courthouse or looking up case data on the state court website. The Family Division in Salem can help you find divorce decree files and get copies of the documents you need.

Salem County Divorce Decree Court Office

The Superior Court clerk in Salem County is in charge of all divorce decree records. This office takes in new filings, keeps court files, and hands out copies of divorce decrees. The courthouse is at 104 Market Street in Salem. The small size of this county means that staff can give more one-on-one help than at bigger courts. Walk in with your ID and the names of both spouses to start your search for a divorce decree in Salem County.

Salem County was set up in 1694 as one of the first counties in New Jersey. It has a long history that goes back to the colonial era. All towns in Salem County file divorce cases at the courthouse in Salem. The Family Division keeps divorce decree records for cases filed in the past three years. After that time, the files go to the state Records Center in Trenton. Free parking is next to the Salem County Courthouse, and the building is open to all visitors with ramps and lifts for those who need them.

The Salem County Superior Court website lists hours, phone numbers, and forms for divorce decree requests.

How to Find Salem County Divorce Decree Files

You have two main ways to look for a divorce decree in Salem County. The first is to search on the web. The second is to go to the courthouse in person. Both work well, but each has its own strengths. Online searches give you basic case facts. In-person trips let you see the full file and get certified copies of the divorce decree on the same day you visit.

For an online search, go to njcourts.gov and use the eCourts system. Pick "Family" as the case type and type in a name. The system will pull up cases that match from Salem County. This tool is free for basic data. For copies of the actual divorce decree, you still need to reach out to the clerk or go to the courthouse. The Superior Court Records Center in Trenton (phone 609-421-6100) can also help you obtain older divorce decree documents from Salem County.

When you search for a Salem County divorce decree in person, go to 104 Market Street in Salem. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk can look up cases by name or docket number. Because Salem County is small, the staff tend to be less busy than at courts in larger counties. This can mean quicker help with your divorce decree search.

Note: Salem County divorce decree records from more than three years ago are at the Records Center in Trenton, not at the local courthouse.

Salem County Divorce Decree Costs

Salem County follows the same fee schedule as every other county in New Jersey for divorce filings and decree copies. The cost to file a new divorce complaint is $300. A $25 surcharge is added if you file without a lawyer. Call the clerk at 856-935-7510 to check current rates before you file your divorce decree in Salem County.

The main costs for a divorce decree in Salem County include the filing fee, service costs, and copy fees. A certified copy of the final judgment of divorce decree costs $25. Plain copies are $0.05 per page. A certificate of divorce from the Department of Health is $10. If you have a low income, you can ask the court in Salem County for a fee waiver. Fill out the Fee Waiver Application and hand it in with your divorce papers.

Service fees also apply. You must give the other spouse a copy of the divorce papers. You can use the Salem County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail to do this. Proof of service is then placed in your divorce decree case file at the Salem County courthouse.

Filing a Divorce Decree in Salem County

The steps to get a divorce decree in Salem County follow New Jersey state law. You start by filing a complaint for divorce at the courthouse. The clerk gives you a docket number and takes the $300 fee. 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. If you live in Salem County, you file here.

After filing, you serve your spouse with the papers. Then you wait for a response. If both sides agree on all terms, the court can grant the divorce decree fairly fast. Salem County's lower case load can mean shorter wait times for hearings. If the two sides do not agree, the case may go to mediation or trial in Salem County. The final judgment of divorce decree ends the marriage. It becomes a public record kept at the Salem County courthouse.

The complaint must state the grounds for divorce as set out in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2. Most cases in Salem County use the no-fault ground of differences that have led to the end of the marriage for at least six months.

Note: The Self-Help Center at njcourts.gov/self-help has all forms you need to file for a divorce decree in Salem County on your own.

Salem County Divorce Decree Contents

A divorce decree file in Salem County contains a number of papers. The complaint for divorce comes first. Then the answer from the other spouse. A marital settlement shows what the two sides agreed to about property, kids, and support. All of these go into the court file in Salem County.

The final judgment of divorce decree is the main paper most people want from Salem County court. This order dissolves the marriage. It spells out who gets what property, who has the kids, how much support is owed, and whether there is alimony. You often need a certified copy of the divorce decree for things like changing your name on a license or selling real estate. The clerk in Salem County can make certified copies for you.

Salem County divorce decree records are open to the public under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. You do not have to be named in the case to view a divorce decree. Some details about minors or finances may be blacked out in the public copy, but the rest of the divorce decree is available to anyone who asks in Salem County.

Divorce Decree Certificates in Salem County

The New Jersey Department of Health issues short form divorce certificates. A certificate proves that a divorce took place. It shows the names, date, and county. It does not include the full terms of the divorce decree. People in Salem County often need a certificate to change their name or to remarry.

Mail your request to the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. One certified copy costs $25. More copies at the same time are $2 each. You can also visit the office at 140 East Front Street in Trenton. The department holds certificates for divorces from 1848 to the present for all of New Jersey, including Salem County. For the full divorce decree with all terms, go to the Superior Court clerk in Salem County instead.

Old Salem County Divorce Decree Records

Salem County is one of the oldest counties in New Jersey, set up in 1694. Early divorce decree records are rare since divorce was not common in colonial times. For Salem County divorce records from 1743 to 1850, check the Court of Chancery records at the New Jersey State Archives at 225 West State Street in Trenton.

Cumberland County was split off from Salem County in 1748. If you search for old records from what is now Cumberland County, you may find them in Salem County files. The State Archives will search up to five years of records for you at $1.00 per page for copies. For Salem County divorce decree records more than three years old from the modern court era, contact the Superior Court Records Center at 171 Jersey Street, Trenton, NJ 08611, or call 609-421-6100.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Salem County. Make sure you file your divorce decree in the right county based on where you live. The court must have power over your case for it to be valid.