Access Union County Divorce Decree

Union County divorce decree records are kept at the Superior Court, Family Division in Elizabeth. With about 570,000 residents, Union County is one of the most populated counties in New Jersey. The courthouse at 2 Broad Street handles all divorce decree filings for the county. You can search for a divorce decree online through the state court system or go to the courthouse in Elizabeth to view case files and get copies. The clerk staff at the Family Division can help you locate the divorce decree records you need.

Union County Divorce Decree Clerk Office

The Superior Court clerk in Union County handles all divorce decree records. The office takes new filings, stores case files, and makes copies of final divorce decrees. The Family Division is on the first floor of the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both spouses when you come to search for a divorce decree.

Union County was formed in 1857 from Essex County. The county seat is Elizabeth, which is the fourth largest city in New Jersey. All towns in Union County file divorce cases at the courthouse in Elizabeth. This includes Elizabeth, Plainfield, Union Township, and all other towns in the county. The clerk keeps divorce decree records for the past three years. Older files go to the state Records Center in Trenton. The Union County Family Division serves a diverse population and offers help in more than one language due to the mix of communities in the county.

You can reach the Union County Family Division by phone at 908-659-3100 to ask about a divorce decree or to check on hours. The Union County Superior Court website has details on the Family Division and how to request divorce decree copies.

Search Union County Divorce Decree Records

You can look for a divorce decree in Union County two ways. The first is online. The second is in person at the courthouse in Elizabeth. Online searches are best for quick facts like a docket number or filing date. In-person visits let you review the full divorce decree case file and get certified copies right then.

The eCourts system at njcourts.gov lets you search Union County cases from home. Pick "Family" as the case type and enter a name. The tool will show matches from Union County. Basic case data is free. You can also use the NJ eCourts case lookup to find case details. The Union County courthouse has public access computers where you can search for free during work hours.

When you search for a Union County divorce decree, have these ready:

• Full name of at least one spouse
• Year the divorce decree was filed or granted
• Docket number if you have one

For in-person searches, go to 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. Bring your ID. The clerk can search by name or docket number and make copies. Same-day help is common when you have all the case facts. Mail requests for Union County divorce decree copies take two to three weeks.

Union County Divorce Decree Costs and Fees

Union County charges the same fees as every other New Jersey court for divorce cases. Filing a new complaint costs $300. A $25 surcharge applies if you have no lawyer. Fees can change, so call the clerk at 908-659-3100 to check the latest rates before you file your divorce decree in Union County.

Here are the main fees for a Union County divorce decree:

• File a divorce complaint: $300.00
• Pro se surcharge: $25.00
• Motion filing: $15.00
• Certified copy of divorce decree: $25.00
• Plain copy: $0.05 per page

You must also pay to serve the other spouse with the divorce papers. The Union County Sheriff can serve the papers. You can also use a private process server or certified mail. A certificate of divorce from the state costs $10. If your income is low, the Union County court can review your fee waiver request. Fill out the form and turn it in when you file.

Note: Post-judgment motion fees in Union County are $30.

Filing for Divorce Decree in Union County

The divorce process in Union County starts when you file a complaint at the courthouse in Elizabeth. You pay the $300 fee, and the clerk stamps your papers and gives you a docket number. This number tracks your divorce decree case from filing to the final judgment.

Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for 12 months to file on no-fault grounds. If you reside in Union County, you file your case at the courthouse in Elizabeth. The complaint lays out the grounds for divorce under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2. Most people pick the no-fault ground, which says the marriage has been broken for at least six months.

After you file, you serve your spouse with the papers. If both sides agree, the court can enter the final judgment of divorce decree with no trial. Union County offers mediation and early settlement panels to help parties reach a deal. If no deal is reached, the case goes to trial. The final divorce decree dissolves the marriage and becomes a public record at the Union County courthouse. Union County handles a large number of divorce decree cases each year due to its high population.

What Union County Divorce Decree Records Show

A divorce decree case file in Union County holds all the papers from the case. The complaint is filed first. It states the grounds and what the person who filed wants. The answer comes from the other spouse. If the two sides agree, a marital settlement goes into the file too. It covers who gets what, custody, and support.

The final judgment of divorce decree is the court order that ends the marriage. Most people who ask for records from Union County need this document. It covers property division, child custody, parenting time, child support, and alimony. Certified copies are often needed for a name change, to sell a home, or to update an account. Get copies from the clerk at the Union County courthouse in Elizabeth.

Union County divorce decree records are public under the Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. Anyone can ask to view them. You do not have to be a party to the divorce. Some details about children or finances may be removed from public copies, but most of the divorce decree file is open to the public in Union County.

Divorce Decree Certificates for Union County

The New Jersey Department of Health issues a short form divorce certificate. This is not the same as the full divorce decree. A certificate proves that a divorce took place in Union County. It shows the names, date, and county. It does not show the full terms of the settlement. Many people use a certificate to change their name or to get remarried.

To get one, mail a request to the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. One copy costs $25. Extra copies at the same time are $2 each. You can also go to 140 East Front Street in Trenton in person. The department has records from 1848 to now for all New Jersey counties, including Union County. For the full divorce decree with property and custody terms, go to the Superior Court clerk in Union County.

Old Union County Divorce Decree Records

Union County was formed from Essex County in 1857, making it one of the newer counties in New Jersey. For divorce decree records from before 1857, you should check Essex County files since the area was part of Essex County at that time. The New Jersey State Archives at 225 West State Street in Trenton holds old court records for all counties.

The State Archives will search up to five years of records at $1.00 per page for copies. For Union 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. Old records can take four to six weeks to process. Mail your request with a check made out to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey."

Cities in Union County

Union County has over 20 towns and cities. All divorce decree cases are filed at the Union County Superior Court, Family Division in Elizabeth. The courthouse serves the whole county.

Other towns in Union County include Westfield, Cranford, Rahway, Linden, and Summit. All of these file divorce decree cases at the Union County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Union County. Check where you live to be sure you file your divorce decree in the right county. You must file in the county where you or your spouse lives.