Bergen County Public Records

Bergen County is one of the original counties in New Jersey, with its seat of government in Hackensack. Public records in Bergen County cover property deeds, mortgages, probate filings, court documents, and much more. The county maintains several offices where residents and researchers can access these records. The Surrogate office, County Clerk, and court system each hold different types of records. Bergen County is home to nearly one million people, making it one of the most populous counties in the state. This page covers the main ways to find and obtain public records in Bergen County.

Bergen County Surrogate Office

The Bergen County Surrogate handles probate and estate records. Michael R. Dressler serves as Surrogate. The office is at Two Bergen County Plaza, Suite 5000, in Hackensack, NJ 07601. Call (201) 336-6700 for questions about probate filings or estate records. The Surrogate office processes wills, appoints executors, and manages guardianship matters for Bergen County residents.

The Bergen County Surrogate website has details on services and forms. The office provides "How to Probate" booklets in English, Korean, and Spanish. Probate can typically be completed in under an hour at the Bergen County office.

For probate questions, email bersurrprobate@bergencountynj.gov. For records requests, email bersurrrecords@bergencountynj.gov. Bergen County does not have a complete public online index for surrogate records. You must visit the office or contact staff to search for specific filings.

Probate Records in Bergen County

Probate records are public records in New Jersey. Anyone can request copies of filed wills, letters testamentary, and estate documents from the Bergen County Surrogate. These records show how estates were handled after a person passed away. They include the will, the appointment of an executor or administrator, and any court orders related to the estate.

The Bergen County probate records page provides more information on accessing these filings. Bergen County probate records are useful for genealogy research, property title searches, and legal proceedings. The Surrogate office keeps records of all estates probated in the county. Older records may be stored at the State Archives in Trenton.

The New Jersey State Archives holds Bergen County probate records from 1714 to 1962. This is one of the longest spans of any county in the state. The collection also includes unrecorded estate papers from 1783 through the early 1900s. These historical documents are on microfilm and can be viewed at the State Archives facility in Trenton.

Note: Probate records from recent years are only available through the Bergen County Surrogate office in Hackensack.

How to Access Bergen County Public Records

There are several ways to obtain public records in Bergen County. The method depends on which office holds the record you need. Property records are at the County Clerk. Probate records are at the Surrogate. Court records are at the Superior Court. Each office has its own process for requests.

New Jersey law gives the public the right to access government records through the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). You can file a records request with any Bergen County office. The office must respond within seven business days. Some records are available right away at the counter. Others require a formal request and processing time. Bergen County offices accept OPRA requests in person, by mail, by fax, and by email.

For court records in Bergen County, the New Jersey Courts public access page provides information on what is available online. The eCourts system lets you search civil case records by party name or docket number. This covers cases from Bergen County Superior Court. Not all documents are online, but the index and basic case information are accessible.

Bergen County Surrogate Directory

The New Jersey Courts maintain a statewide directory of all county surrogates. This is a helpful resource if you are not sure which county handled a particular estate. The county surrogates directory lists contact details for every surrogate office in the state, including Bergen County.

The directory shows addresses, phone numbers, and office hours. It is maintained by the New Jersey judiciary. This can be useful if you need to contact surrogates in neighboring counties as well. Bergen County borders Hudson, Passaic, and Essex counties. Estate matters sometimes cross county lines when a person owned property in more than one county.

Historical Public Records for Bergen County

Bergen County has some of the oldest records in New Jersey. As one of the original counties, its records date back to the colonial era. The State Archives preserves many of these on microfilm. The probate collection spans from 1714 to 1962. Unrecorded estate papers go back to 1783. These are primary sources for anyone researching Bergen County history or family genealogy.

The State Archives county records catalog details all Bergen County holdings. Records include Clerk's Office filings, court documents, and Surrogate records. Researchers can visit the archives in Trenton to view microfilm. Copies can also be ordered by mail. Local libraries in Bergen County may have some records on microfilm as well. The Bergen County Historical Society is another resource for older documents and maps.

Bergen County public records from more recent decades are at the county offices in Hackensack. The County Clerk, Surrogate, and courts each hold records from their respective areas. Together, these offices provide a complete picture of public records in Bergen County from the 1700s to today.

Filing Records in Bergen County

If you need to file a document with Bergen County, the process depends on the type of record. Deeds, mortgages, and liens go to the County Clerk. Wills and estate matters go to the Surrogate. Court filings go to the Superior Court clerk. Each office has specific requirements for format, fees, and supporting documents.

Bergen County follows New Jersey state guidelines for recording fees. Fees vary by document type and page count. Call the relevant office before visiting to confirm current rates and requirements. Staff at each Bergen County office can explain the filing process and help you prepare your documents correctly.

Note: All recorded documents in Bergen County become part of the permanent public record and can be searched by anyone.

Nearby Counties

Bergen County shares borders with several other New Jersey counties. If you are researching records that may span more than one county, these neighboring county pages may help.