Passaic County, New Jersey court records are available through several channels. PassaicCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the state's official online court system tools, the court clerk's office, and public terminals directly in the courthouse building.
Passaic Court System & Jurisdictions
In New Jersey, there are no county district or magistrate courts in the traditional sense — instead, there is a unified Superior Court system divided into divisions. Passaic County is part of Vicinage 15, and the Passaic County Superior Court handles the majority of cases at the county level.
Superior Court Divisions
- Civil Division — civil lawsuits, contract disputes, debt collection, as well as Small Claims cases (claims up to $3,000 without a lawyer or up to $5,000 with a lawyer).
- Criminal Division — criminal charges: from fourth-degree offenses to first-degree felonies. Criminal case searches are available through the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system.
- Family Division — divorces, child custody, alimony, domestic violence, juvenile cases. Some family records have restricted access.
- Probate — inheritance cases and guardian appointments. The county Surrogate's Court office registers wills and issues letters of administration.
Traffic violations and minor offenses are handled by Municipal Courts in each municipality of the county. You can check the status of a fine or complaint through the Municipal Court Case Search.
Passaic Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week depends on the court division and the specific case. Here's how to find out the hearing date:
- Visit the Find a Case page on the official NJ court system website — enter the case number or party's last name to see scheduled hearings.
- For municipal cases (traffic fines, complaints), use the Municipal Court Case Search. The system will show the date of the next hearing if it is scheduled.
- Call the Superior Court Vicinage 15 clerk's office directly. The clerk can confirm the time and courtroom.
Passaic County Superior Court
Public terminals in the courthouse lobby also allow you to view the schedule for the current day. If the case is criminal, current hearing dates are displayed in PROMIS/Gavel.
How to Get a Copy of a Passaic Court Document
The Superior Court Clerk's Office issues both regular and certified copies of court documents. The difference is significant: a certified copy has the court's seal and the clerk's signature, making it legally valid for submission to other institutions.
Ways to Obtain
- Online request. Through the Copies of Court Records page on the NJ Courts website, you can submit a written request with the case number, court division, and county.
- In person. Visit the clerk's office at the address provided above. Bring your ID and case number.
- By mail. Send a letter with case details and a check or money order to the clerk's office address.
To obtain a copy of a final divorce judgment, contact the Superior Court Records Center, specifying the county and year of the divorce. Detailed instructions are available on the NJ Courts website. The minimum fee starts at $10.
Family and juvenile case records are usually closed to public access — only the parties to the case or their attorneys have access. Criminal records that have been expunged are also not available for public viewing.
What You'll Need for a Request
- Full name of the party or case number (docket number)
- Court division (Civil, Criminal, Family)
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Payment of the applicable fee
Passaic Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and searches of court records in New Jersey are set at the state level and are the same for all counties, including Passaic. Below are the main rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy of a document (per page) | $0.05 |
| Certified copy of a document | $10.00 (first 10 pages), then $0.05 for each additional page |
| Copy of final divorce judgment | From $10.00 |
| Request via OPRA (Open Public Records Act) | Free for viewing; copies at standard rates |
Payment is accepted by check, money order, or — when visiting in person — sometimes by credit card. Confirm acceptable payment methods with the clerk's office before visiting.
Requests for public records can also be submitted in accordance with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Viewing records is free, but there is a fee for making copies at the rates listed. The clerk's office is required to respond to an OPRA request within seven business days.