New Jersey Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy of Your Judgment or a Certificate of Divorce
New Jersey family law · Last reviewed October 23, 2026
In New Jersey, divorce records are court records. The Department of Health doesn't issue divorce certificates: "New Jersey divorce decrees are available through the Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center." You order from the Superior Court Clerk's Office (SCCO) in Trenton or from the county Family Division, depending on how old the case is.
Who can get a copy
Not everyone. "Please be advised when requesting divorce documents, those documents will only be released to a party to the case or the attorney of record." A party must include a valid state ID, and anyone else needs a court order directing the clerk to release the documents. The request form says the same: "Divorce and Name Change records are only available to parties and the attorneys of record at the time of filing."
Which document you need
| Document | What it shows | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Divorce | County, docket number, the parties' names and the date of the final judgment, under the court's seal | $10 |
| Certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce | The full judgment, certified by the clerk, with the court's seal | $25 |
| Plain copies | Photocopies of other papers in the file | $0.05 a letter page, $0.07 legal |
| Exemplified copy | Clerk's attestation, seal and a judge's certificate, usually for use in courts in other states | $50 plus copy fees |
The clerk's office itself points out that "In many circumstances it may not be necessary to obtain a copy of the actual Judgment of Divorce." If you only need to prove that you're divorced, ask whoever wants the proof whether the $10 certificate will do.
A property settlement agreement isn't always part of the judgment. If you need its terms, ask for the agreement too; extra copy fees may apply.
The fees above are from the SCCO's fee table. A Judiciary FAQ says "The minimum fee for a certified copy of a judgment of divorce is $10." The two official pages don't match, so if the amount matters, call the SCCO at 609-421-6100 before you pay.
Where the record is
Divorce cases are heard in the county Family Division. When a case closes, the file eventually moves to the SCCO's records center in Trenton, but the timing varies by county. The SCCO's inventory (last updated March 8, 2024) lists the latest case year it holds for each county, ranging from 2008 to 2023. If your case is newer than that, the file is still at the county courthouse.
Your docket number tells you the county and year. It starts with "FM" (or "M" for older cases), then the county code and the year: FM-01-07500-00, for example, is an Atlantic County case filed in 2000. If you don't know the docket number, the SCCO can search by the county, the approximate year and the names of the parties.
How to order
- Fill out the Records Request Form (CN 10200). Give the docket number, the case title, the county, and the document you want.
- Submit it through JEDS, the Judiciary's online document system, choosing "SCCO" as the division. Records are sent to the email address on the form. If you can't use a computer, mail the request to: Superior Court Clerk's Office, Attention: Records Administration, Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, P.O. Box 971, Trenton, NJ 08625-0971.
- Pay. Checks and money orders go to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey"; cash is accepted only in person; certified, exemplified and sealed copies can be paid by credit card.
If the judgment turns out to be held by a county, the SCCO forwards your request.
What's confidential
Court records are generally open to inspection, with the exceptions listed in Rule 1:38. Divorce documents are released only to the parties and their lawyers, as above, and Rule 1:38-3 keeps several kinds of family papers confidential, including:
- the Case Information Statement and its attachments, and settlement agreements incorporated into a judgment (available to the parties and their lawyers);
- the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet and insurance certifications;
- domestic violence records, and victims' names and addresses;
- custody evaluations and parenting plans.
The Case Information Statement rule says so directly: "The Family Case Information Statement and all attachments thereto shall be confidential and unavailable for public inspection, pursuant to R. 1:38-3(d)(1)."
Old divorces
The New Jersey State Archives holds historical Chancery Court divorce files from 1743 to 1948, with case indexes from 1825 and matrimonial indexes for 1939–1948. For anything later, go to the courts.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a copy of my divorce decree in New Jersey?
Submit a Records Request Form (CN 10200) to the Superior Court Clerk's Office through JEDS or by mail, with your docket number and a copy of your ID. A certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce is $25.
Are divorce records public in New Jersey?
The case is a court record, but copies of divorce documents are released only to the parties and their lawyers, or to someone with a court order. Financial statements and several other family papers are confidential.
What is a Certificate of Divorce in New Jersey?
A one-page certificate from the Superior Court Clerk's Office, under the court's seal, showing the county, docket number, names and date of the final judgment. It costs $10.
Can the Department of Health give me a divorce certificate?
No. The Health Department refers divorce requests to the Superior Court Records Center.
Can I get my New Jersey divorce records online?
You can request them online through JEDS, and the records are emailed to you. Only a party or a party's lawyer can order them.