Passaic County court records in New Jersey are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk's Office and are accessible through online portals, official court resources, and directly at the Clerk's Office. PassaicCourt.us will help you navigate the open court records of this county. Additionally, you can use the NJ Courts case search portal, the Passaic Vicinage page, or contact the court office in person or by phone.
Passaic Court System Overview
Passaic County is part of Vicinage 16 of the unified court system of New Jersey. The New Jersey Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction, and its branch in Passaic County handles criminal, civil, and family cases. Vicinage 16 serves exclusively Passaic County. Administrative management is carried out by the Assignment Judge, who is subordinate to the Trial Court Administrator.
The main courthouse is located in Paterson:
In addition to the Superior Court, there are municipal courts in the county, each serving a specific city or borough.
Courts Serving Passaic
New Jersey Superior Court — Passaic Vicinage
Federal District Court
Passaic County falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The nearest federal court is located in Newark:
Federal Bankruptcy Court
Municipal Courts of Passaic County
There are over a dozen municipal courts in the county — in Paterson, Clifton, Passaic City, Wayne, West Milford, Hawthorne, Pompton Lakes, and other municipalities. Information on specific municipal cases can be found through the Municipal Court Case Search. For specific municipal court contact details, contact the respective municipality directly.
What Types of Cases Passaic Courts Hear
The courts serving the residents of Passaic County hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Criminal cases: indictable offenses, disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses
- Civil cases: claims of any amount, including Small Claims (up to $3,000) and Special Civil Part (up to $20,000)
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony, restraining orders
- Probate cases: inheritance, guardianship, trust management
- Juvenile matters: offenses, child protection, adoption
- Traffic violations and municipal offenses
Each category is discussed in more detail below.
District Court Cases in Passaic
In the New Jersey system, there are no separate "district courts" at the county level — all serious cases are heard by the Superior Court. The Criminal Division of the Passaic Superior Court handles indictable offenses — similar to felonies in other states. Once a Grand Jury issues an indictment, the case is assigned to a judge in the Criminal Division.
The Civil Division hears claims over $20,000, as well as appeals from the Special Civil Part. Cases are allocated among judges according to Vicinage's internal rules. This division also handles post-judgment motions and other procedural matters arising at the Superior Court level.
Magistrate Court Cases in Passaic
New Jersey does not have separate magistrate courts. Their function is performed by municipal courts and the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court.
Municipal courts handle:
- Disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offenses
- Traffic violations, including DUI
- Municipal ordinance violations
- Minor criminal cases that do not require an indictment
Special Civil Part of the Superior Court hears civil claims up to $20,000, as well as Small Claims up to $3,000. If the amount exceeds these limits, the case is transferred to the Civil Division. To search for municipal cases, use the Municipal Court Case Search system.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Passaic
Family Law
The Family Division of the Passaic Superior Court handles cases of divorce, child custody, alimony, restraining orders, paternity establishment, and termination of parental rights. Divorce documents can be filed with the Family Division in the county where the plaintiff or defendant resides. A certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce can be ordered through the Superior Court Records Center for a fee starting at $10.
Probate Cases
The Surrogate's Court of Passaic County handles the probate of wills, appointment of executors and estate administrators, and guardianships for incapacitated persons. This office operates separately from the Superior Court, although contested probate issues may be transferred to the Chancery Division.
Juvenile Matters
The Family Division also handles juvenile offenses and child protection cases (DCPP — Division of Child Protection and Permanency). Juvenile case records are confidential and generally closed to public access.
How Cases Move Through the Passaic Court System
- Case initiation. A criminal case begins with a complaint or a Grand Jury indictment. A civil case starts with the filing of a complaint with the appropriate division.
- Judge assignment. The case is assigned to a specific judge according to Vicinage's internal procedures.
- First hearing. In criminal cases — arraignment, where the charges are read to the defendant and bail is set. In civil cases — Case Management Conference.
- Pre-trial phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial. The case concludes with a verdict, jury decision, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment. The convicted receives a sentence. Any party may appeal to the Appellate Division. In civil cases — enforcement of the judgment.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Passaic
The administration of Vicinage 16 courts is managed by the Assignment Judge together with the Trial Court Administrator. Contact information and court operation details can be found on the official Passaic Vicinage page. Local rules and general state court rules are published on the official NJ Courts website.
Public access to records. Most court records in New Jersey are open to the public, except for juvenile cases, certain family cases, sealed and expunged records. Access is regulated by State Court Rules and the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Requests for copies of court records can be submitted through the Superior Court Clerk's Office.
Attending hearings. Court sessions are generally open. Some hearings are held remotely via video — confirm the format with the court office before visiting.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Passaic
- Case search. The Find a Case portal allows searching for civil, criminal, and family cases in the Superior Court online.
- Criminal cases. The PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system provides public information on criminal cases. Some records are restricted according to state law.
- Municipal cases. Municipal Court Case Search — for searching traffic tickets and municipal complaints.
- Record copies. Order certified and uncertified copies through the Superior Court Clerk's Office.
- Expungement of court records. Apply for expungement of arrest or conviction records for free through the eCourts Expungement system.
- Inmate search. NJ Department of Corrections Offender Search allows finding information about individuals in state correctional facilities.
- Archived records. Historical documents of the county clerk's office and courts are stored in the New Jersey State Archives — Passaic County collection.
- Divorce decrees. Copies of Divorce Decrees are available through the Superior Court Records Center.
- Forms and self-help. A catalog of forms, instructions, and resources for self-representation is available on the main NJ Courts page.
- Property tax information. Data on property assessments and taxes can be found through the NJ Transparency Center or the NJ Parcels Portal.
If you are unsure which court or division to contact, start with PassaicCourt.us — it gathers links to key resources for Passaic County residents.