Camden County Public Records /Camden County Court Records

Camden County Court Records

What Is Camden County Court Records

Court records in Camden County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records maintained by the courts. Pursuant to New Jersey Court Rule 1:38, court records are defined as any information maintained by a court in any form in connection with a judicial proceeding.

Court records are distinct from other public records such as:

Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
Tax records
Business licenses

The following courts in Camden County maintain official court records:

Superior Court (Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate Divisions)
Municipal Courts
Tax Court (for tax-related matters)

Camden County court records document proceedings across various case types including civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family matters, probate proceedings, and traffic violations. The New Jersey Judiciary maintains these records according to established retention schedules and access policies.

Are Court Records Public In Camden County

Court records in Camden County are generally public pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., and the common law right of access. Additionally, New Jersey Court Rule 1:38 specifically addresses public access to court records, establishing the presumption that court records are open for public inspection and copying.

The following court records are typically available to the public:

Most civil case files
Criminal case files (post-charging)
Judgments and orders
Docket sheets
Hearing schedules

However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure, including:

Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings
Family court records involving child custody or domestic violence
Grand jury proceedings
Sealed records by court order
Records containing confidential personal identifiers

It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (which includes Camden County) are governed by federal rules and accessed through the federal PACER system, while state and local court records follow New Jersey state access rules.

The New Jersey Supreme Court has established comprehensive guidelines for public access to court records through Directive #15-05, which implements Court Rule 1:38 and balances the public's right to access with privacy concerns.

How To Find Court Records in Camden County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Camden County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents:

In-Person Requests:

Identify the appropriate court that maintains the desired records
Visit the court clerk's office during regular business hours
Complete a records request form specifying the case information
Present valid identification
Pay applicable search or copy fees

By Mail:

Prepare a written request including case information, parties involved, and specific documents needed
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
Enclose payment for applicable fees (check or money order)
Mail to the appropriate court clerk's office

Online Access:

Access the New Jersey Courts Public Access system
Register for an account if required
Search by case number, party name, or filing date
View available documents and case information
Download or request copies of available records

For Superior Court records, contact:

Camden County Superior Court
Camden County Hall of Justice
101 South 5th Street
Camden, NJ 08103
856-650-9100
Camden Vicinage

For municipal court records, contact the specific municipal court where the case was filed. The City of Camden Municipal Court can be reached at:

Camden Municipal Court
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102
856-757-7223
Camden Municipal Court

How To Look Up Court Records in Camden County Online?

Camden County residents and interested parties can access various court records through several online portals maintained by the New Jersey Judiciary:

For Superior Court Records:

Visit the New Jersey Courts Case Search portal
Select the appropriate case type (Civil, Criminal, Family, etc.)
Enter search criteria such as party name, case number, or filing date
Review search results and select the desired case
View available case information and documents

This portal provides access to:

Civil case dockets
Criminal case information
Judgment records
Foreclosure cases
Special Civil Part cases

For Municipal Court Records:

Access the Municipal Court Case Search
Enter the required information (ticket number, case number, or defendant information)
Complete the security verification
View available case information

The municipal court portal includes:

Traffic tickets
Local ordinance violations
Disorderly persons offenses
Petty disorderly persons offenses

For Attorney Discipline Records:

Visit the Attorney Discipline System search
Enter attorney name or bar ID
Review any disciplinary history

The Superior Court Clerk's Office also maintains online access to judgment records, liens, and other civil case information through their electronic filing system.

How To Search Camden County Court Records for Free?

New Jersey law provides for free public inspection of court records pursuant to Court Rule 1:38-9, which states that "any records required by law to be made, maintained or kept on file by any court, office, or official within the judicial branch of government shall be available for public inspection without cost." This right applies to Camden County court records.

Free access options include:

In-Person Inspection:

Visit the appropriate court clerk's office during regular business hours
Request to view specific case files
Examine records at designated public terminals or viewing areas
No fee is charged for inspection (copying fees may apply)

Free Online Resources:

The New Jersey Courts Public Access system provides free basic case information searches
Camden County Clerk's Office offers free online searches for certain records
Municipal Court Case Search provides free access to municipal court case information

While inspection is free, fees may apply for:

Certified copies of documents
Extensive searches requiring staff assistance
Printed copies beyond minimal amounts
Special document requests

Per N.J.S.A. § 22A:2-29, certain statutory fees apply for copies and certified documents, though these can be waived in cases of indigency upon proper application to the court.

What's Included in a Camden County Court Record?

Camden County court records typically contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but generally include:

For Civil Cases:

Complaint and answer
Summons and service documentation
Motions and supporting briefs
Court orders and decisions
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Transcripts of proceedings
Settlement agreements (if not sealed)
Judgment information
Case management schedules
Attorney appearances

For Criminal Cases:

Indictment or accusation
Plea information
Bail/detention documents
Motions and court orders
Evidence lists
Pre-sentence investigation reports (restricted access)
Sentencing information
Probation terms
Appeal notices
Transcripts of proceedings

For Family Cases (with restricted access):

Divorce complaints and decrees
Child custody and support orders
Domestic violence restraining orders
Financial disclosure statements
Parenting time schedules
Name change petitions
Adoption records (sealed)

For Probate Matters:

Wills and codicils
Letters testamentary or administration
Inventories of estate assets
Claims against estates
Guardianship appointments
Conservatorship documents
Estate accounting reports

Each court record also contains a docket sheet that serves as an index of all filings and proceedings in chronological order, providing a complete history of the case from initiation to disposition.

How Long Does Camden County Keep Court Records?

Camden County courts maintain records according to the New Jersey Judiciary Records Retention Schedule, which is established pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2B:34-1 and Supreme Court Directive #15-05. Retention periods vary by record type:

Criminal Records:

Indictable offenses (felonies): Permanently maintained
Disorderly persons offenses: 15 years after disposition
Petty disorderly persons offenses: 5 years after disposition
Dismissed criminal charges: 3 years after dismissal

Civil Records:

General civil litigation: 15 years after disposition
Small claims: 7 years after disposition
Landlord/tenant: 7 years after disposition
Foreclosure cases: 10 years after disposition
Civil judgments: 20 years (renewable)

Family Records:

Divorce decrees: Permanently maintained
Child custody orders: Until youngest child reaches 23 years of age
Domestic violence case files: 10 years after final disposition
Adoption records: Permanently maintained (but sealed)

Probate Records:

Wills: Permanently maintained
Estate administration: 15 years after closing
Guardianship: 10 years after termination

Municipal Court Records:

Traffic violations: 10 years after disposition
Parking violations: 3 years after disposition
Local ordinance violations: 5 years after disposition

After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed according to established procedures. However, certain historically significant records may be transferred to the New Jersey State Archives for permanent preservation rather than destruction.

Types of Courts In Camden County

Camden County's court system consists of several levels of courts, each with specific jurisdiction and authority:

Superior Court of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage
Camden County Hall of Justice
101 South 5th Street
Camden, NJ 08103
856-650-9100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Camden Vicinage

The Superior Court includes several divisions:

Civil Division (general civil litigation)
Criminal Division (indictable offenses)
Family Division (divorce, custody, domestic violence)
Probate Division (wills, estates, guardianships)
Special Civil Part (small claims, landlord/tenant)

Camden Municipal Court
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102
856-757-7223
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Camden Municipal Court

Additional Municipal Courts in Camden County include:

Berlin Borough Municipal Court
Cherry Hill Municipal Court
Gloucester Township Municipal Court
Pennsauken Municipal Court
Voorhees Municipal Court
(And others for each municipality)

Tax Court of New Jersey (Camden County cases)
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
25 Market Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-815-2922
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tax Court

The court hierarchy in New Jersey proceeds from Municipal Courts to Superior Court, then to the Appellate Division of Superior Court, and finally to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, with appeals to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

What Types of Cases Do Camden County Courts Hear?

Camden County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their respective jurisdictions:

Superior Court - Civil Division:

Personal injury claims
Contract disputes
Property litigation
Professional malpractice
Product liability
Civil rights violations
Complex commercial litigation
General equity matters
Foreclosure proceedings

Superior Court - Criminal Division:

Indictable offenses (equivalent to felonies)
First-degree crimes (most serious)
Second-degree crimes
Third-degree crimes
Fourth-degree crimes
Post-conviction relief applications
Expungement petitions
Bail and pretrial detention hearings

Superior Court - Family Division:

Divorce proceedings
Child custody and support
Domestic violence restraining orders
Juvenile delinquency matters
Child abuse and neglect cases
Adoption proceedings
Name changes
Termination of parental rights

Superior Court - Probate Division:

Will probate
Estate administration
Guardianships
Conservatorships
Trust administration
Elder care matters

Municipal Courts:

Disorderly persons offenses
Petty disorderly persons offenses
Municipal ordinance violations
Traffic violations
DWI/DUI offenses
Minor drug possession
Simple assault
Harassment charges
Fish and game violations

Tax Court:

Property tax appeals
State tax disputes
Local tax matters

Case assignment is determined by the nature of the offense or dispute, the amount in controversy, and the remedies sought. The New Jersey Courts website provides detailed information about case types and their appropriate venues.

How To Find a Court Docket In Camden County

Court dockets in Camden County provide chronological listings of all filings, appearances, and judicial actions in a case. Members of the public can access docket information through several methods:

Online Docket Search:

Visit the New Jersey Courts Case Search portal
Select the appropriate case type (Civil, Criminal, Family, etc.)
Enter search criteria (case number, party name, filing date)
Review the docket sheet showing all case events
Note that some sensitive cases may have restricted access

In-Person Docket Review:

Visit the appropriate court clerk's office
Provide case information to the clerk
Request to view the docket
Use public access terminals if available
Request printed copies if needed (fees may apply)

Municipal Court Dockets:

Access the Municipal Court Case Search
Enter ticket number, complaint number, or defendant information
View available case events and scheduled court dates

For upcoming court calendars and hearing schedules:

Visit the Camden Vicinage website
Select "Court Calendars" or "Daily Schedules"
Review listings by date, judge, or division

The Superior Court Clerk's Office maintains official docket records for all Superior Court cases and can provide certified copies upon request.

Which Courts in Camden County Are Not Courts of Record?

In New Jersey's judicial system, a "court of record" is defined as a court whose proceedings are permanently recorded, preserved, and available for review. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2B:12-1 et seq., Municipal Courts in Camden County are technically classified as "courts of limited jurisdiction" rather than "courts not of record."

However, Municipal Courts have characteristics that distinguish them from the Superior Court:

While Municipal Courts maintain records of proceedings, they traditionally did not create verbatim transcripts of all proceedings
Appeals from Municipal Courts are heard de novo (new trial) in Superior Court
Municipal Courts handle only disorderly persons offenses and lesser matters
Municipal judges are appointed by local governing bodies rather than the Governor

Municipal Courts in Camden County include:

Camden City Municipal Court
Cherry Hill Municipal Court
Gloucester Township Municipal Court
Pennsauken Municipal Court
Voorhees Municipal Court
And others for each municipality within the county

All other courts in Camden County, including all divisions of the Superior Court, are courts of record with comprehensive recording and documentation of proceedings. The New Jersey Court Rules, specifically Rule 1:2-2, requires that all trials, hearings of motions, and other proceedings in the Superior Court be recorded verbatim.

It should be noted that modern Municipal Courts now typically record proceedings electronically, making the historical distinction between "courts of record" and "courts not of record" less significant in practice than in legal theory.