Franklin Township Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Franklin Township dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the Somerset County Superior Court in Somerville. Around 68,000 people call Franklin Township home, making it the most populated town in Somerset County. If you need to look up a dissolution of marriage case from Franklin Township, you can check the court's online system or visit the clerk at the courthouse. This page covers how to search, request, and get copies of dissolution of marriage records for Franklin Township.
Franklin Township Quick Facts
Franklin Township Dissolution Filing
Franklin Township residents file for dissolution of marriage at the Somerset County Superior Court, Family Division. The court is at 20 North Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876. Somerville is the county seat of Somerset County. The drive from Franklin Township to the courthouse in Somerville takes about 15 minutes. All Somerset County communities use this court for dissolution cases.
| Court | Somerset County Superior Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 20 North Bridge Street Somerville, NJ 08876 |
| Phone | 908-332-7700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Security checks bags at the entrance. Street parking and small lots are near the courthouse.
Divorce Records for Franklin Township
Dissolution of marriage records in Somerset County are official legal documents governed by N.J.S.A. 2A:34-1. A complete case file includes the complaint for divorce, answer and counterclaim, case information statements with financial disclosures, property settlement agreements, child custody and support orders when relevant, and the final judgment of divorce. These records serve as legal proof that a marriage has been dissolved.
The NJ Department of Health divorce decrees page for Franklin Township points to where older files are kept. Somerset County cases through 2014 are stored at the Superior Court Records Center in Trenton at 171 Jersey Street. Call 609-421-6100 for those.
For cases from 2015 to now, contact the Somerset County Family Division at 908-332-7700. You will need both parties' full names, the year of the case, and the docket number if you have it.
Search Dissolution Records in Franklin
There are several ways to look up dissolution of marriage records for Franklin Township cases. The NJ Courts online system lets you search by party name or docket number for basic case data. This covers all of Somerset County. You can see names, dates, case type, and status at no cost. Full documents are not on the portal.
In-person searches at 20 North Bridge Street give you access to more detail. The clerk can pull up cases by name or docket number. Plain copies cost five cents per letter page. Certified copies of a final judgment cost $25. A standard certified copy is $15. The seal of the court adds $10 to that.
The Somerset County Law Library is on the 2nd Floor at 20 North Bridge Street in Somerville. Phone number is 908-231-7510. It provides free access to legal research databases. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you view basic case data at no charge during business hours.
Note: Only parties to the dissolution case, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can get the full case file.
Dissolution Of Marriage Process in Franklin
Filing for dissolution of marriage from Franklin Township follows a set of steps. Somerset County research shows 10 steps in the process. It starts with meeting residency rules and ends with the final judgment. The average time in Somerset County is about 10 months, though uncontested cases can be much faster at three to six months.
The steps are: meet residency requirements, determine grounds, prepare and file initial documents with the $300 fee, serve documents on the other spouse, wait 35 days for a response or default, complete discovery, attend the early settlement panel, take part in mediation if ordered, prepare for trial if needed, and obtain the final judgment. You can file through the JEDS system online, in person, or by mail.
At least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for 12 months before filing. The most common ground is irreconcilable differences lasting at least six months. Other grounds include separation for 18 months and extreme cruelty.
Franklin Township Dissolution Resources
The NJ Vital Statistics office handles birth, death, and marriage certificates at the state level. While it does not process dissolution of marriage records, it can help with vital records you may need during or after a dissolution case.
Legal Services of New Jersey helps Somerset County residents with low income. Call (888) 576-5529 for help. The NJ State Bar lawyer referral line at 1-800-792-8315 gives a first talk of up to 30 minutes. The Somerset County courthouse self-help center assists with forms and filing during business hours. Visit lsnj.org for more info.
Somerset County Dissolution Fees
Fees for dissolution of marriage in Franklin Township follow the state fee schedule. The filing fee is $300. A $25 surcharge applies if you file without a lawyer. The defendant pays $175 to file a response. Certified copies of a divorce decree cost $25 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy at the same time. A Certificate of Divorce costs $10.
Payment must be by check or money order payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey." Cash is taken in person only. Fee waivers are available for those who can show financial hardship. The confidentiality rules under Court Rule 1:38-11 may apply to sensitive parts of your case, so ask the clerk about that when you file.
Somerset County Dissolution Of Marriage
Franklin Township is in Somerset County. All dissolution of marriage filings go through the Somerset County Superior Court in Somerville. The county court serves many towns across central New Jersey. For more on the county court system, fees, and related records, visit the Somerset County page.