Salem County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Salem County dissolution of marriage records are housed at the Superior Court on Market Street in Salem. This is one of the smaller counties in New Jersey with a population near 64,000. The Family Division of the Superior Court handles all divorce filings for Salem County. You can search dissolution of marriage cases through the court clerk or use the state online tools. The courthouse is in the city of Salem, the county seat.
Salem County Quick Facts
Salem County Court Clerk Office
The court clerk at the Salem County Superior Court keeps all dissolution of marriage records on file. This office manages case documents, stores court orders, and provides copies of divorce judgments. The courthouse is at 92 Market Street in Salem. Staff can help you locate both old and recent cases. The Surrogate's Court is nearby at 94 Market Street and also has a location at the Pittsgrove Township Municipal Building.
Salem County court records are public under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). This means you can visit the courthouse during business hours to search for records or ask the clerk for help. Bring a valid ID when you visit. The clerk can search dissolution of marriage records by name or case number. Written requests should use the form set by the state for court records searches in Salem County.
The Salem County Superior Court page on the official NJ Courts website has more details on how to get records from the county courts.
Salem County court records include judgments, minutes, motions, and filing dates for all cases in the county.
| Court |
Salem County Superior Court Family Division 92 Market Street Salem, NJ 08079 Phone: (856) 878-5050 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov/courts/superior/salem |
Note: The Surrogate's Court at 94 Market Street handles probate and estate matters that may connect to dissolution of marriage cases in Salem County.
Searching Salem County Dissolution Of Marriage Cases
You can search for dissolution of marriage records in Salem County online or in person at the courthouse. Online searches give you basic case data quickly. In-person visits let you review the full file and get copies right away.
The NJ eCourts system at njcourts.gov covers all counties, including Salem. Search by party name or docket number to find divorce cases. Basic case information is free. For copies of filed documents, contact the clerk or visit the courthouse on Market Street. You can also use the Find a Case portal for a name search across all New Jersey courts.
A name search is a good way to find dissolution of marriage records. You can search by the names of the parties in the case. This works both online and at the courthouse in Salem County. The clerk may charge a fee for searches done in person.
What Salem County Divorce Records Include
Dissolution of marriage records in Salem County show details like child custody, spousal and child support, property division, and the grounds for divorce. The complaint for divorce is the first document filed. It states why the marriage should end under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2. The answer is the other spouse's response. A marital settlement agreement lays out what both sides agreed on.
The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is what most people need. It is the court order that ends the marriage. It covers property, custody, support, and all other terms. You can get copies from the Salem County court clerk. Certified copies cost more than plain ones but are needed for most legal uses.
You can also get dissolution of marriage records from the Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center or use the Copies of Court Records website to submit a request.
Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in Salem County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Salem County, you start at the Superior Court on Market Street. The filing fee is $300. If you file on your own without a lawyer, you pay an extra $25 surcharge. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for 12 months before you can file on no-fault grounds.
After filing, you serve the other spouse with the papers. You can use the Salem County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. Proof of service goes in the court file. Uncontested cases where both sides agree can be done fairly fast. Contested cases may need mediation or a trial in Salem County. The final judgment ends the marriage and becomes a public record.
The main fees for dissolution of marriage in Salem County are:
- Divorce complaint: $300
- Pro se surcharge: $25
- Motion filing: $15
- Post-judgment motion: $30
Note: Low-income filers may apply for a fee waiver through the Salem County court.
Salem County Dissolution Of Marriage Certificates
The New Jersey Department of Health issues divorce certificates. These are shorter records that prove a dissolution of marriage took place. A certificate shows names, date, and county. It does not show the full settlement terms. Request one from the NJ Department of Health for Salem County.
The Department of Health has divorce certificates from 1848 to now. One certified copy costs $25, with extras at $2 each.
For the full judgment with all terms and court orders, visit the Superior Court clerk in Salem County at 92 Market Street. The full dissolution of marriage judgment is needed for most legal purposes like name changes and property transfers.
Divorce Record Tools for Salem County
The New Jersey Judiciary provides free online tools to search for dissolution of marriage records. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has forms and step-by-step guides for people filing without a lawyer in Salem County.
The public access portal lets you search court records from all 21 New Jersey counties, including Salem County.
Salem County is a smaller county, so the courthouse staff can often give more personal help with dissolution of marriage record searches. Call ahead at (856) 878-5050 to ask what you need to bring. The clerk can guide you through the process of getting the records you need.
The NJ Vital Statistics office handles divorce certificate requests for all counties, including Salem.
Public Access to Salem County Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Salem County are public under OPRA, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some details about children may be redacted in public copies, but most of the file is open.
Family court records involving minors, adoption, and certain sensitive details are classified or redacted. But the core dissolution of marriage documents in Salem County remain accessible to the public during regular court hours.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Salem County. Make sure you file your dissolution of marriage case in the correct county based on where you live.