Somerset County, New Jersey Divorce Records
In Somerset County, New Jersey, divorce records are official files that contain information on divorce events. Such records typically reveal the case parties’ personal information, case identifiers, and judicial actions.
Divorce records in Somerset County are important for various financial and legal purposes. Concerned parties may use the records for tax readjustment or to renegotiate mortgages. On the other hand, divorce records are important in family-related divorce case proceedings, such as child custody and support agreements. Concerned parties may also use the record when applying for a new marriage license.
Somerset County Divorce Rate: An estimated 7.2% of Somerset County residents were divorced as of December 31, 2024. Based on gender, male and female residents had a 5.9% and 8.5% divorce rate, respectively.
Are Divorce Records Public in Somerset County?
Interested parties can access most divorce records in Somerset County. The New Jersey Court Rules and the Open Public Records Act oversee public access to government records, including divorce case files. Under these laws, record seekers may view and obtain copies of divorce records from designated record custodians.
The law may restrict access to records whose disclosure may endanger the safety of concerned parties. For example, personal bank statements and financial records are typically exempt from most public divorce records. The law also restricts access to details of custody agreements and personal information on abused parties in a dissolved union. In some cases, divorced parties may petition the court to remove specific information from publicly accessible domains.
How to Find Divorce Records in Somerset County
Record seekers may find Somerset County divorce records by using the following general steps:
- Identify the required information for looking up the records: Record seekers must provide the case party name, divorce case filing year, and county where the case was heard. For example, you need these case identifiers to find court records at the New Jersery Court’s Record Information Center in Trenton.
- Identify the agencies in charge of maintaining divorce records: Somerset County divorce records are obtainable via resources provided by state and local agencies. The Somerset County Superior Court Clerk is the local custodian of divorce records and may maintain records from 2014 till the present date. However, earlier divorce records are stored in the New Jersey Court’s Information Center in Trenton.
- Select a preferred option for looking up records: Record seekers may obtain divorce records by following these steps:
- Download and fill out the divorce record request form. Select “SCCO” as the custodian of the record.
- Register an account on the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission platform.
- Upload the form.
- Upon receiving the form, the superior court clerk’s office will process the request and forward the requested record to the record seeker’s mail address.
In contrast, record seekers may submit a request in person to the court clerk’s office at this address:
Somerset County Courthouse
20 North Bridge Street
Somerville, NJ 08876.
Phone: (908) 332-7700 (Main)
Phone: (908) 332-7700 ext. 13730 (Family Division)
The Somerset County Superior Court charges different fees based on the type of the requested document. For example, letter- and legal-sized pages cost $0.5 and $0.7, respectively. However, the agency charges $15 per certified divorce record.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | New Jersey Courts | Request form, payment | $0.5 to $0.7 per copy; $15 per certified copy; and $10 per divorce certificate. | Varies. |
| In Person | Somerset County Superior Court Clerk’s Office | Valid ID | Varies | Same day |
Overview of the Somerset County Court System
The Somerset County Superior Court, via the Chancery Division, hears divorce cases in the county. Interested public members may find the courthouse at this address:
Somerset County Superior Court
Somerset County Courthouse
20 North Bridge Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
Phone: (908) 332-7700
Somerset family court divorce filings are handled by the superior court clerk’s office. The clerk’s office also acts as the official record custodian of divorce case files. Hence, record seekers may submit requests to the clerk’s office at this address:
Somerset County Courthouse
20 North Bridge Street
Somerville, NJ 08876.
Phone: (908) 332-7700 (Main)
Phone: (908) 332-7700 ext. 13730 (Family Division)
Online Access to Somerset County Divorce Records
Record seekers may only access Somerset County divorce records by submitting an online request via the New Jersey Courts platform. There is no online searchable portal for looking up divorce records in the county.
In contrast, third-party websites allow free online searches for divorce records in Somerset. These websites may offer case name- or number-based searches for records. In addition, some websites allow users to not only search but also to freely download court documents to their devices. With that being said, third-party websites are unregulated and may not include updated court information.
What’s Typically Included in a Somerset Divorce Record
Somerset County divorce records typically reveal the following information:
- Petitioner’s and defendant’s names and other personal information.
- Divorce year and court location.
- Marriage year and duration.
- Case initiating documents, including divorce petitions and crime reports.
- Case identifiers, including docket and case number.
- Court judgment, including divorce decrees and custody agreements.
The Somerset County Superior Court may restrict access to information that is exempt under state laws. For example, personal-identifying details of minors are exempt from public access.
| Information | Available to the Public? |
|---|---|
| Names of spouses | Yes |
| Divorce date | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Custody arrangements | Sometimes restricted |
| Financial disclosures | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Somerset Divorce Records
Record seekers may obtain certified copies of divorce decrees from the New Jersey Court’s online request platform. To get the records, record seekers must follow these steps:
- Download and complete the online request form.
- Select “SCCO” as the option for cases under the jurisdiction of the superior court clerk’s office.
- Upload the form via the “Submit the Completed Form" button.
- Include a $15 certification fee along with the request form.
Upon receiving the form, the court clerk will process and forward the request to the record seeker’s mail.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, legal proceedings | Spouse, attorney, court | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy, general info | Anyone (if public) | No |
Somerset Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Court (Court Records) | Full case files, judgments | Public Portal / Mail / In person | $0.50 to 0.70/page; $15 certified divorce record; $10 per divorce certificate. |
| Third-Party Websites | Aggregated records | Online search (paid) | Convenience at cost; accuracy may vary |