Union County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Union County occupies a land area of about 103 square miles in northern New Jersey. Established in 1857, the county is now home to more than 572,000 residents. The county's largest city and government seat is Elizabeth. Union County's judicial system comprises Superior, Surrogate, and Municipal Courts.

The Union County Superior Court is the apex trial court with general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases. The Criminal Division of the Superior Court presides over felony and misdemeanor criminal proceedings. It also hears appeals from Municipal Courts in Union County. Civil lawsuits involving contract breaches, landlord-tenant disputes, and general claims for more than $20,000 occur at the Superior Court's Civil Division. The court also has a Family Division tasked with handling divorces, juvenile delinquencies, adoptions, termination of parental rights, and other domestic relations cases. Union County has a Surrogate's Court located in the cities of Elizabeth and Westfield. Residents approach the County Surrogate to resolve probate of wills, adult/minor guardianships, and administration of decedents' estates. There are also Municipal Courts in Union County that have been established to handle municipal ordinance violations and traffic offenses in their respective towns or cities. These courts also preside over felony preliminary trials and motor vehicle cases. Union County Municipal Courts are located in:

• Berkeley Heights
• Clark
• Cranford
• Elizabeth
• Fanwood
• Garwood
• Hillside
• Kenilworth
• Linden
• Mountainside
• New Providence
• Plainfield
• Rahway
• Roselle
• Roselle Park
• Scotch Plains
• Springfield
• Summit
• Union Township
• Westfield
• Winfield

Union County police departments report more than 12,000 offenses yearly per New Jersey Uniform Crime Reports. The county's crime rate is approximately 22 incidents per 1,000 persons. Each year, the county judiciary handles a minimum of 30,000 cases and disposes of 95% of these cases per NJ Judiciary Annual Reports. Members of the public can have access to public court documents online through the state's Electronic Access Program. They can also get copies of court records by completing the records request form. Municipal Court records are accessible online via the New Jersey Municipal Court Case Search. Court documents involving juvenile, adoption, and mental health cases are confidential under state and federal laws. Such confidential court records and sealed criminal records are not open to the public.

In summary, Union County's Superior, Surrogates, and Municipal Courts are committed to upholding the rule of law. These courts provide fair and impartial legal proceedings. By making court records open to the public, Union County keeps residents engaged with its judicial processes.