Cape May County Court Records

Cape May County sits at the southern tip of New Jersey. The county seat is Cape May Court House, where both the Superior Court and the County Clerk operate. Court records in Cape May County cover civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and land filings. The court is part of the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage, sharing judicial resources with its neighbor to the north. This guide walks you through how to search for and obtain court records in Cape May County.

Cape May County Clerk Records

Clerk Rita M. Rothberg leads the Cape May County Clerk's Office at 7 North Main Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. The phone number is 609-465-1010. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This office records deeds, mortgages, and other land documents. It also handles passport applications, notary commissions, trade names, and veteran services.

The Cape May County Clerk website provides details about office services. The Clerk also serves as the chief election official for Cape May County, overseeing elections and maintaining voter registration records. For court record searches, the Clerk's Office is the right place for land and property filings.

Note: The Clerk's Office is located on North Main Street, while the courthouse is at 9 North Main Street, just steps away.

Cape May County Land Records Search

Cape May County offers online access to land records from January 1, 1996 to the present. The public search system lets you look up deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents. You can search by party name, document type, date range, book and page, or instrument number. The system shows document images that you can view and print.

Users with eRecording or escrow accounts can log in for added features. These include the ability to modify search settings, export data, and print documents. Guest users have access to basic and advanced search tools. Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, the Open Public Records Act protects the public's right to view recorded documents in Cape May County.

Cape May County Superior Court Cases

The Cape May County Superior Court is part of the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage. The courthouse is at 9 N. Main St., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. The phone number is 609-402-0100. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The statewide NJ Courts website provides tools for searching court records. The records request page explains how to get copies of case documents. Below is a view of that resource.

The court handles civil, criminal, family, and chancery cases for Cape May County. The Criminal Division processes indictable offenses. The Family Division covers custody, support, and domestic violence. Civil cases go to the Civil Division or Special Civil Part based on the amount in dispute. The Chancery Division handles equity matters and foreclosures. Self-help resources are available for people without lawyers. The ombudsman at the courthouse can answer questions about court procedures.

The NJ Courts vicinages directory shows how the state court system is organized. Below is a view of the directory page.

Cape May County shares its vicinage with Atlantic County. Both counties have separate courthouses but operate under the same judicial leadership. This means some administrative court records may reference both counties.

Cape May County Public Records Requests

You can request records from Cape May County government offices under OPRA. The county government records page has forms and instructions. Print the form, fill it out, and send it to Donna Doyle, Deputy Clerk of the Board, at the Administration Building, 4 Moore Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. The phone number is 609-465-1065.

The office must respond within seven business days. Standard copy fees apply. Most court records in Cape May County are public under New Jersey Rule 1:38, which governs access to court filings. Some records may be sealed by a judge or restricted by law.

The OPRA statute spells out what records are public and what exceptions exist. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Government Records Council or file a complaint in Superior Court.

Note: The County Clerk provides online land and miscellaneous records separately from the OPRA process.

Cape May County Criminal Court Records

Criminal records in Cape May County are generally open to the public. You can search for criminal case dockets at the courthouse or through statewide online tools. The Criminal Division at the courthouse handles all indictable offenses filed in Cape May County.

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52, New Jersey allows certain criminal records to be expunged. An expunged record is removed from public access. This means it will not appear in a Cape May County court records search. The expungement process starts with filing a petition at the Superior Court. Municipal court records from Cape May County towns can also be expunged if the person meets the legal requirements.

Getting Court Records in Cape May County

There are several ways to access court records in Cape May County. The best method depends on the type of record and how soon you need it.

• Search land records online from 1996 to the present
• Visit the courthouse at 9 N. Main St. during business hours
• Call the County Clerk at 609-465-1010 for recorded documents
• Contact the court at 609-402-0100 for case file questions
• Submit an OPRA request for specific government records

Bring valid ID for in-person visits. The clerk can make copies of most public records on site. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call ahead to confirm current fees and accepted payment forms at the Cape May County offices.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cape May County. Court records are kept in the county where the case was filed. Check the municipality or address to find the right county.