Find Hudson County Dissolution Of Marriage

Hudson County dissolution of marriage records are kept at the Superior Court, Family Division in Jersey City. This county sits along the Hudson River and has more than 724,000 residents. People who need to look up a divorce case or get a copy of a final judgment can do so through the court system. The Family Division handles all dissolution of marriage filings for towns and cities across Hudson County. Whether you search online or visit in person, multiple ways exist to access these records in Hudson County.

Hudson County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

The Superior Court clerk in Hudson County keeps all dissolution of marriage records on file. This office stores case documents, processes new filings, and gives out copies of divorce judgments. Staff at the Family Division can help you find both old and new cases. The court is on Newark Avenue in Jersey City, and it serves every town in the county.

All cities and towns in Hudson County file dissolution of marriage cases at this one court. That includes Jersey City, Bayonne, Union City, Hoboken, North Bergen, West New York, Secaucus, Kearny, and Harrison. The clerk can look up cases by name or docket number. You will need a valid ID when you visit. Call ahead to check hours and learn what to bring with you to the Hudson County courthouse.

You can search for divorce records through the NJ Courts Find a Case portal to start your lookup.

This resource shows how to find case information and request copies from the court system in Hudson County.

How to Search Hudson County Divorce Cases

There are a few ways to search for dissolution of marriage records in Hudson County. You can use the online court portal, visit the courthouse, or send a request by mail. The best method depends on what type of record you need. Basic case details are free to look up online. Full copies of documents require a formal request and a fee.

The New Jersey Courts case search portal lets you look up family case records from Hudson County. You can search by the name of one party or by docket number. The system shows basic case data like filing dates, case status, and the names of parties. It does not show the full divorce judgment or financial terms. For those, you need to contact the clerk or go in person.

The case search tool provides a fast way to check the status of a dissolution of marriage in Hudson County.

To search in person, go to the William J. Brennan Courthouse at 583 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Public access terminals there let you look up basic case data at no cost. Bring your ID with you. The terminals are open during court hours on weekdays. You can also file an OPRA request for records at the Hudson County court.

Note: Only parties to a divorce case or their attorneys can get certified copies of the full judgment in Hudson County.

Dissolution Of Marriage Filing in Hudson County

Filing for dissolution of marriage in Hudson County follows New Jersey state law. You start by filing a complaint with the Superior Court clerk. The filing fee is $300. The clerk gives you a docket number for your case. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for 12 months before filing on no-fault grounds. If you live in Hudson County, you file here.

After filing, you must serve the other spouse with the papers. You can use the Hudson County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. Proof of service goes into the court file. For cases where both sides agree on all terms, the dissolution of marriage can wrap up in a few months. If there is a dispute, the case may go to mediation or trial in Hudson County. The final judgment of divorce ends the marriage and becomes part of the public record.

There is also a $25 fee if you file without a lawyer. Motions cost $15 each. Post-judgment motions cost $30. These fees match the state fee schedule used in all New Jersey courts.

Hudson County Divorce Certificates

The New Jersey Department of Health issues divorce certificates as a shorter form of proof. A certificate shows the names of both parties, the date, and the county. It does not include the full terms of the settlement. Many people use a certificate for a name change or to get remarried. You can request one through the NJ Department of Health vital records page for Hudson County.

The Department of Health has certificates for divorces in New Jersey going back to 1848.

For the full divorce judgment with property terms, custody orders, and support amounts, go to the Superior Court clerk in Hudson County. The fee for a certified copy of a final judgment is $25. A Certificate of Divorce from the court costs $10. Plain copies cost $0.05 per letter-size page. You can pay by check or money order made out to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey."

Note: Divorce records in Hudson County stored at the Records Center cover cases through 2015, with newer cases still at the county courthouse.

What Hudson County Dissolution Records Include

A dissolution of marriage file in Hudson County holds many types of documents. The complaint for divorce is the first paper filed. It states the grounds for divorce under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2 and what the person filing wants from the court. The answer comes from the other spouse. A case information statement shows detailed financial data from both sides.

The final judgment of divorce is the main document most people seek from Hudson County. This court order dissolves the marriage. It sets out the terms for property, custody, child support, and alimony. Certified copies of this judgment are often needed for legal matters. A property settlement agreement is also part of the file. It details how assets and debts were split between the spouses. Name change orders go in the file too, if a spouse went back to a prior last name.

Hudson County divorce records are public under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1). Basic case data is open to anyone. However, certain details like financial account numbers, information about minor children, and domestic violence claims may be sealed or redacted from public copies.

Getting Copies of Divorce Records

You can get copies of dissolution of marriage records in Hudson County a few ways. Walk-in requests at the courthouse often get same-day service. Mail requests take longer. The NJ Courts records request page has details on what you need to include with your request.

This page outlines the steps to request court documents from Hudson County.

For older records that have been moved to the state archive, contact the Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center at 171 Jersey Street, Trenton, NJ 08611. Call (609) 421-6100. You will need the names of both parties and the year of the divorce. The docket number helps speed things up if you have it. Records stored off-site take more time to pull, so plan for a wait of up to two weeks on mail requests for archived Hudson County dissolution of marriage files.

• Record search fee: $10
• Copy fee: $5 per page
• Certified copy of divorce decree: $25
• Certificate of Divorce: $10
• Plain copies: $0.05 per letter-size page

Cities in Hudson County

Hudson County has many municipalities. All of them file dissolution of marriage cases at the Superior Court, Family Division in Jersey City. The courthouse serves the whole county from one location.

Other municipalities in Hudson County include Secaucus, Kearny, Harrison, Guttenberg, East Newark, and Weehawken. All dissolution of marriage cases for these towns go through the Hudson County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hudson County. If you are not sure which county handles your dissolution of marriage case, check the address where you live. You must file in the correct county for the court to have jurisdiction.