Find Passaic County Court Records

Passaic County court records are kept at the Superior Court in Paterson, New Jersey. The county seat has served this area for well over a century. Residents and the public can search court records from the Passaic County courthouse on Hamilton Street. The clerk and court staff help with case lookups, filings, and copies of records. Whether you need a civil case, a criminal docket, or a family court file, Passaic County court records are available for review. You can start your search in person or use state tools that cover Passaic County cases.

Passaic County Clerk Records Office

The Passaic County Clerk, Danielle Ireland-Imhof, runs the office that handles land records, deeds, and other filed documents. The main office sits at 401 Grand Street, Room 130 in Paterson. Staff at this location record and store property documents for all of Passaic County. The phone number is (973) 225-3690. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with the Recording Division open on Wednesdays until 7:00 PM for those who need more time.

Passaic County also runs a satellite clerk office at 1237 Ringwood Avenue in Wanaque. This branch serves the north end of the county. You can reach it at (973) 513-9900. Both offices can help with record searches, copies, and filings. The main Paterson office holds the bulk of Passaic County court records and land documents going back many years. If you plan to visit, call first to check what you need to bring.

The Passaic County Clerk website lists services, forms, and hours. You can also find details on fees for copies and how to submit an OPRA request. Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, the public has a right to request government records from county offices. The clerk must respond within seven business days.

Passaic County Land Records Search

Passaic County uses the Public Records Electronic Search System, known as PRESS, for land record lookups. This tool lets you search deeds, liens, and other filed documents from your home. You can look up records by name, by book and page, or by address. The PRESS system is open to the public as a guest or with a free account. It covers mortgages, deeds, and other recorded documents in Passaic County.

Court records from the Superior Court are a different set of files. Land records at the clerk office track who owns what. Court records track cases, lawsuits, and criminal matters. Both types of records are public in Passaic County. For court case data, the state runs its own search tools. For property and deed records, PRESS is the place to start in Passaic County.

Passaic County Superior Court

The Passaic County Superior Court sits at 77 Hamilton Street in Paterson. This is where civil, criminal, and family cases are heard for all of Passaic County. The court is part of the Passaic Vicinage, one of the fifteen court districts in New Jersey. Judges here handle everything from small claims to serious criminal trials. All case records created at this court are public under Rule 1:38, with a few exceptions for sealed or confidential files.

The Passaic Vicinage page on the New Jersey Courts website lists court hours, contact details, and self-help tools. The vicinage provides resources for people who do not have a lawyer. You can get forms, guides, and help with basic court tasks at the Passaic County courthouse.

The Mandak-Womack Resource Center at 71 Hamilton Street, first floor, Room 130, helps people find their way through the court system in Passaic County. The ombudsman can answer questions about case status, forms, and court dates. Call (973) 653-2910 ext. 24034 for help. The center also offers interpreter services and ADA access for those who need it.

Searching Passaic County Court Records

There are several ways to search for court records in Passaic County. The state provides free online tools for basic case data. You can look up criminal cases through the PROMIS/Gavel system, which tracks indictable offenses from arrest through sentencing. Only cases with a conviction and sentence show up in search results. The system does not include sealed, expunged, or juvenile records.

Civil cases in Passaic County can be searched through the state civil case portal. This tool covers lawsuits, foreclosures, and special civil matters. You need a party name or a docket number to start. The system shows case status, court dates, and basic filing details. For full documents, you may need to visit the Passaic County courthouse or submit a records request form through JEDS.

In-person searches at the Passaic County courthouse give you the most complete access. Staff can pull case files and make copies on the spot. Bring your ID and any case details you have. Plain copies cost $0.05 per page under the court fee schedule. Certified copies cost $15 per document. You can also request records by mail or through the online form on the New Jersey Courts site.

Note: Expunged records under N.J.S.A. 2C:52 are removed from public search results in Passaic County and all other counties.

Passaic County Court Record Types

The Passaic County Superior Court creates and stores many kinds of records. Each division keeps its own files. The Civil Division handles lawsuits over money, property, and contracts. The Criminal Division tracks arrests, charges, plea deals, and sentencing. The Family Division covers custody, support, and domestic matters. All of these records are part of the public court system in Passaic County unless a judge seals them.

Criminal court records in Passaic County are some of the most requested. These files show the charges, the court dates, and the outcome of each case. A criminal judgment includes the sentence, any fines, and the terms of probation or parole. Under Rule 1:38, most criminal records are open to the public. Some records are kept private. Grand jury materials, juvenile cases, and files sealed by a judge cannot be viewed. If a record has been expunged under N.J.S.A. 2C:52, it will not show up in any search.

Civil court records are also widely available in Passaic County. These include:

• Complaints and answers filed by each side
• Motions and court orders during the case
• Judgment records showing the outcome
• Liens filed against property or wages
• Small claims and special civil filings

Copies of Passaic County Records

Getting copies of court records from Passaic County is straightforward. You can visit the courthouse, mail a request, or use the state online form. The Superior Court Clerk's Office handles requests for closed case files. Open cases are handled at the local courthouse in Paterson.

Fees for copies follow the state schedule set by the courts. A plain copy costs five cents per page for standard paper. Certified copies are fifteen dollars each. If you need a document with the Seal of the Court, that is ten dollars more. These fees apply at all courthouses in New Jersey, including Passaic County. You can pay by credit card for requests sent through the online system.

Note: For open cases in Passaic County, direct your request to the courthouse at 77 Hamilton Street in Paterson.

Cities in Passaic County

Passaic County has sixteen municipalities. All court cases from these towns are filed at the Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson. The cities below have their own pages on this site with details on local court access and records.

Other municipalities in Passaic County include Hawthorne, Totowa, Little Falls, Pompton Lakes, Ringwood, and Wanaque. All of these file court cases at the Passaic County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Passaic County. If you are not sure where to file or search, check the address. Each county has its own courthouse and record system.