Court records in Atlantic County, New Jersey can be searched through several channels. AtlanticCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also use official state court resources such as the New Jersey Judiciary's Find a Case portal, visit the clerk's office at the Atlantic County courthouse in person, or use public access terminals available at the courthouse. Each method offers different levels of detail depending on the case type and record status.
Atlantic County Court System & Jurisdictions
New Jersey uses a unified court system, so Atlantic County does not have separately named district, magistrate, or small claims courts in the way some other states do. Instead, cases are handled through divisions of the Superior Court and through local municipal courts.
Superior Court of New Jersey — Atlantic County Vicinage
The Superior Court sits in Mays Landing and is divided into three divisions:
- Criminal Division — indictable (felony-level) offenses, including drug crimes, assault, theft, and other serious charges. Search criminal case data through the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system.
- Civil Division — lawsuits exceeding the Small Claims threshold, contract disputes, personal injury, foreclosures, and landlord-tenant matters. The Special Civil Part within this division handles Small Claims (up to $3,000) and other cases up to $20,000.
- Family Division — divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, juvenile delinquency, adoption, and guardianship matters. Many Family Division records are confidential under New Jersey court rules.
Surrogate's Court
The Atlantic County Surrogate handles probate of wills, appointment of estate administrators, and guardianship of minors' property. The Surrogate's office is located at the Atlantic County courthouse complex in Mays Landing.
Municipal Courts
Each municipality in Atlantic County operates its own municipal court for traffic violations, disorderly persons offenses, local ordinance violations, and minor criminal matters. You can look up municipal court cases through the Municipal Court Case Search portal.
U.S. District Court
Federal cases involving Atlantic County residents — such as federal criminal prosecutions, bankruptcy, or civil rights claims — are filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, which maintains a courthouse in Camden.
Atlantic County Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's court schedule in Atlantic County:
- Superior Court calendars — Visit the New Jersey Judiciary website and navigate to the Atlantic County vicinage page. Daily court calendars for criminal, civil, and family proceedings are typically posted there or available by contacting the court clerk's office directly.
- Municipal court schedules — Each municipality sets its own hearing dates. Contact the specific municipal court or check the municipality's website for session dates and times.
- Public terminals — Walk-in visitors at the Atlantic County Justice Facility in Mays Landing can view posted daily calendars in the courthouse lobby.
If you need to confirm a specific hearing date, call the appropriate division clerk. Criminal Division scheduling can also be cross-referenced through the PROMIS/Gavel system by searching for the defendant's name or case number.
How to Get a Copy of an Atlantic County Court Document
The process depends on whether the case is open or closed, and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Open Cases
- Visit the clerk's office for the appropriate division (Criminal, Civil, or Family) at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
- Provide the case number or party names so staff can locate the file.
- Request either a plain copy or a certified copy. Certified copies bear the court seal and are accepted as official documents for legal proceedings.
Closed Cases
For closed Superior Court cases, submit a records request through the Superior Court Clerk's Office records request process. You will need to complete a records request form and may need to provide identifying details such as the docket number, case caption, and approximate filing date.
Divorce Decrees
Certified copies of New Jersey divorce decrees are available through the Superior Court Records Center. The NJ Department of Health provides guidance on where to direct your request.
Mailing Address for Requests
What to include in a mail request:
- Your full name and contact information
- Case number or party names
- Description of the document(s) needed
- Whether you need certified or uncertified copies
- Payment for applicable fees (check or money order payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey")
Records That May Be Restricted
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Sealed or expunged criminal records
- Certain Family Division filings (adoption, child abuse/neglect)
- Grand jury proceedings
- Records subject to a court-issued confidentiality order
Atlantic County Court Records Fees & Payment
The New Jersey Judiciary sets statewide fee schedules for court document services. The following table reflects standard fees applicable at Atlantic County court offices. Confirm current amounts with the clerk, as fees may be updated by administrative directive.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.75 |
| Certification of a document | $15.00 |
| Exemplified copy (double certification) | $25.00 |
| Case name search (manual, per name) | $15.00 |
| Filing a civil complaint (Law Division) | $300.00 |
| Filing a Small Claims case | $30.00 – $50.00 (varies by claim amount) |
| Surrogate — probate of a will | $5.00 – $10.00 (varies) |
Accepted payment methods typically include cash, check, and money order made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey." Some offices accept credit or debit cards; ask the clerk before visiting. Online record requests through the Superior Court Clerk's Office may have separate processing instructions.
For offender custody status rather than court documents, the NJ Department of Corrections offender lookup is available at no charge.