Court records in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, can be searched through several channels. HunterdonCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through the New Jersey Judiciary's online case search tools, the Superior Court Clerk's Office, the Hunterdon County Clerk's Office, and public access terminals at the Hunterdon County Justice Center in Flemington.
Hunterdon Court System & Jurisdictions
Hunterdon County is part of the Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren Vicinage within the New Jersey Superior Court system. Unlike states that use separate district or magistrate courts, New Jersey consolidates trial-level jurisdiction into the Superior Court, which is divided into divisions based on case type.
Superior Court Divisions in Hunterdon County
- Criminal Division — Handles indictable offenses (felony-level crimes), including drug offenses, assault, theft, and other serious charges. Grand jury proceedings and plea matters are managed here.
- Civil Division — Covers lawsuits involving claims above the Special Civil Part threshold, contract disputes, personal injury, and other general civil litigation.
- Special Civil Part — Manages small claims (up to $3,000, or $5,000 in certain cases), landlord-tenant disputes, and civil matters where the amount in controversy does not exceed $15,000.
- Family Division — Processes divorce and dissolution cases, child custody and support, domestic violence restraining orders, juvenile delinquency, adoption, and child welfare matters. Divorce filings are brought in the Family Division of the county where either spouse resides.
- Probate Part — Handled within the Chancery Division, this part oversees wills, estates, guardianships, and trust disputes. The Hunterdon County Surrogate's Office processes initial probate filings.
Municipal Courts
Each municipality in Hunterdon County operates its own municipal court for traffic violations, disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanor-level), local ordinance violations, and minor criminal matters. For example, Raritan Township Municipal Court handles cases arising within that township. If you are unsure whether your case is in Superior Court or municipal court, check the summons or citation — it will identify the court.
Hunterdon County Superior Court sessions take place at:
Hunterdon County Justice Center
Hunterdon Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find scheduled hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week in Hunterdon County, use the following resources:
- NJ Courts website — The Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren Vicinage page posts calendar information and scheduling notices for Superior Court sessions held at the Hunterdon County Justice Center.
- Contact the court directly — Call 908-824-9750 and select the appropriate division (Criminal, Civil, or Family) to ask about upcoming hearing dates for a specific case.
- PROMIS/Gavel Public Access — For criminal cases, the PROMIS/Gavel system allows you to look up case status and scheduled court events by defendant name or case number.
- In-person terminals — Public access computer terminals are available at the Hunterdon County Justice Center during business hours. These terminals let you look up case schedules and docket entries.
Municipal court calendars are posted by each municipality individually. Check the website of the specific township or borough where the case was filed.
How to Get a Copy of a Hunterdon Court Document
The process for obtaining court documents depends on the type of record and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify the division. Determine whether your case was handled by the Criminal, Civil, Family, or Special Civil Part division. Hunterdon County's court records page confirms that records are obtained through the Superior Court.
- Submit your request. You can request copies through the Superior Court Clerk's Office by mail, in person, or through the Judiciary's records request process.
- Provide case details. Include the case number (docket number), party names, and the specific documents you need. The more detail you provide, the faster the request is processed.
- Specify certified or uncertified. Certified copies carry an official court seal and are required for legal proceedings. Uncertified copies are typically sufficient for personal reference.
Where to Submit Requests
Hunterdon County Justice Center — Superior Court Clerk's Office
Special Record Types
- Divorce decrees — Available through the Superior Court Records Center. The NJ Department of Health directs requestors to the Superior Court for certified copies of divorce decrees.
- Expunged records — Records that have been expunged under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq. are not available for public inspection. If you need to verify whether a record has been expunged, contact the Criminal Division.
- Sealed or confidential records — Juvenile records, certain Family Division records, and cases sealed by court order are restricted. Access typically requires a court order or proof of authorized party status.
- Historical records — Older Hunterdon County court records, including those from the former Court of Common Pleas, may be held by the New Jersey State Archives.
Land and Property Records
Land records, deeds, and mortgages are maintained by the Hunterdon County Clerk's Office, located at the Hall of Records, 71 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. These are separate from court case records.
Hunterdon Court Records Fees & Payment
The New Jersey Judiciary sets standard fees for court record copies and searches. The following fee schedule applies to Superior Court records in Hunterdon County, as established by N.J.S.A. 22A:2 and related court administrative directives.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.75 |
| Certification of a document | $15.00 |
| Exemplified copy (triple seal) | $25.00 |
| Case search (name search by clerk) | $15.00 |
| Filing a civil action (Superior Court) | $300.00 |
| Small claims filing | $15.00–$50.00 (varies by claim amount) |
Note: Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Superior Court Clerk's Office at 908-824-9750 before submitting payment.
Payment Methods
- In person — Cash, money order, or certified check are generally accepted at the courthouse window. Personal checks may be accepted for certain transactions; ask the clerk.
- By mail — Include a money order or certified check payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey" with your written request.
- Online — Some services through the NJ Courts website may accept electronic payment. Availability varies by record type.
There is no charge to search case information through the Judiciary's public online tools, including the PROMIS/Gavel criminal case lookup and the Find a Case portal. Fees apply only when you request physical or certified copies of documents.