Court records of Union County in the state of New Jersey are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk's Office and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the clerk's office. UnionCourt.us can help find public information about court cases in this county. Additionally, you can use the NJ Courts case search portal, contact the court clerk's office, or visit the Union County page on the official court system website of the state.
Union Court System Overview
Union County is part of the Union Vicinage in the structure of the Superior Court of New Jersey. The state's court system is unified — all trial courts are combined under the name Superior Court and are divided into divisions: criminal, civil, family, and general jurisdiction. The Union Vicinage exclusively covers the territory of Union County. Judges are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The Assignment Judge is responsible for case distribution and administration.
Main courthouse:
Courts Serving Union
Residents of the county are served by several court institutions of different levels.
Superior Court of New Jersey — Union Vicinage
Handles criminal, civil, family, and probate cases.
Municipal Courts of Union County
Each municipality has its own municipal court, which handles traffic violations, minor offenses, and municipal ordinances. Information about a specific case in a municipal court can be found through the municipal case search system.
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
A federal court with jurisdiction over federal criminal and civil cases, including bankruptcy cases.
What Types of Cases Union Courts Hear
The courts serving Union County hear a wide range of cases. Below is a summarized list:
- Criminal cases: indictable offenses, disorderly persons offenses, petty offenses
- Civil claims: general civil jurisdiction, small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony, protective orders, paternity
- Probate cases: estate administration, guardianship, trusts
- Juvenile matters: offenses, child protection, adoption
- Traffic violations and DUI
District Court Cases in Union
New Jersey does not have district courts in the classic American sense — instead, the Superior Court operates as the sole court of general jurisdiction. The Criminal Division handles indictable offenses — that is, first, second, third, and fourth-degree offenses. A case comes here after a Grand Jury issues an indictment.
The Civil Division accepts claims where the dispute amount exceeds the small claims limit. A judge is assigned through an automated distribution system. Appeals from municipal court decisions also go to the Superior Court. After a verdict is rendered, parties may appeal to the Appellate Division.
Magistrate Court Cases in Union
New Jersey does not have separate magistrate courts. The functions that magistrates perform in other states are carried out by municipal courts here. These courts handle:
- Disorderly persons offenses and petty offenses
- Traffic violations, including DUI
- Municipal ordinance violations
- Small civil claims with a dispute amount up to $3,000
The Civil Division of the Superior Court handles Special Civil Part claims with a dispute amount up to $15,000, and small claims up to $3,000. Municipal judges work according to the schedule set by the specific municipality. To verify ticket or complaint information, contact the respective municipal court directly or use the online municipal case search.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Union
Family Law
The Family Division of the Superior Court handles cases of divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders from domestic violence, paternity establishment, and termination of parental rights. Copies of divorce decrees can be obtained through the Supreme Court Records Center or the clerk's office.
Probate Cases
The Surrogate's Court of Union County handles cases of will probate, appointment of executors and estate administrators, and guardianship cases for incapacitated persons. This is a separate unit operating at the county government building.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile offense and child protection cases (DCPP — Division of Child Protection and Permanency) are handled by the Family Division. Juvenile case records are confidential under state law. For information, contact the Family Division at the court's phone number.
How Cases Move Through the Union Court System
- Case initiation. A criminal case begins with a complaint or a Grand Jury indictment. A civil case starts with the filing of a complaint. A family case begins with a petition.
- Judge assignment. The case is automatically assigned to a specific judge of the respective division.
- Initial hearings. In criminal cases — arraignment. In civil cases — case management conference.
- Pre-trial phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea bargaining is possible.
- Trial. Court proceedings with or without a jury, settlement by agreement, guilty plea, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment. Sentencing, appeal to the Appellate Division, enforcement of the judgment.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Union
The administration of the Union Vicinage courts is carried out by the Assignment Judge with the support of the Trial Court Administrator. The clerk's office coordinates the daily operations of the divisions, hearing schedules, and public access to case materials.
Local rules and general court rules are published on the official New Jersey court system website. Information on electronic document filing is also available there.
Public Access to Records
Most court records in New Jersey are public according to court system rules and the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed cases, certain family cases, and information protected by court order. To obtain copies of closed case records, submit a request through the Superior Court Clerk's Office, selecting Union as the appropriate county.
Requests for municipal-level government records are governed by the OPRA procedure.
Attending Hearings
Hearings are generally open to the public. Some sessions are held remotely via video conferencing — check the format with the clerk's office or on the Union Vicinage page.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Union
- Case search. Through the Find a Case portal, you can find public information about civil, criminal cases, and attorney disciplinary proceedings.
- Municipal court case search. Municipal Court Case Search allows you to check information about tickets and complaints.
- Court forms. The NJ Courts Forms Catalog contains complaint forms, petitions, and self-representation instructions.
- Copies of court records. Request copies of closed cases through the Superior Court Clerk's Office.
- County archival records. The New Jersey State Archives holds historical court and clerk records of Union County dating back to the 19th century.
- County government records. Deeds, mortgages, and early marriage records are available through the County Government Records page of the State Department.
- Inmate search. Information about individuals in state correctional facilities is provided by the Department of Corrections. Data on individuals on parole is available through the Offender Search.
- Sex offender registry. The Megan's Law registry is available on the New Jersey State Police website.
- Property tax records. Property tax assessment and payment in the county are conducted at the municipal level. General information about the taxation system can be viewed on the Property Tax Transparency portal.
For additional assistance with finding public records in Union County, visit UnionCourt.us.