Mercer County Public Records
Mercer County sits in central New Jersey with Trenton as its county seat. The county is home to the state capital and has a mix of urban and suburban communities, including Hamilton Township. Public records in Mercer County are kept by the County Clerk, the Surrogate, the courts, and several state offices based in Trenton. County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello oversees land records, elections, and other filing services from 209 South Broad Street. There is also a branch office in Hamilton. This guide walks you through how to find and request Mercer County public records from the right office.
Mercer County Clerk Services
The Mercer County Clerk's main office is at 209 South Broad Street in Trenton. Call 609-989-6473 for the Trenton location. A second office in Hamilton Township can be reached at 609-890-9800. The clerk handles land records, elections, passport services, notary commissions, county ID cards, and trade name filings.
Land records are a core function. Every deed, mortgage, lien, and easement filed in Mercer County goes through this office. E-recording is available through NJRecording.com for title firms and attorneys who want to submit documents online. The clerk also maintains a Public Search tool and Property Info Portal, so you can look up records from your computer before making a trip to Trenton or Hamilton.
You can learn more about the clerk's services at the Mercer County website. The site has forms, fee schedules, and office hours for both locations.
How to Search Mercer County Property Records
Mercer County property records are open to the public. Search the online index by grantor name, grantee name, date range, or document type. The Public Search portal and Property Info Portal let you view index data at no cost. When you find a record you need, you can order a copy from the clerk.
Plain copies of recorded documents cost $2 per page. Certified copies carry a $10 certification fee plus $1.50 per page. These fees are set by state law and apply to all document types. If you are doing a title search for a property in Trenton, Hamilton Township, or anywhere else in Mercer County, the clerk's index is the place to start. Staff at both offices can help with basic questions about how to use the search tools.
Since Mercer County has no local images available, the image below from the New Jersey State Archives shows the statewide resource for historical county records.
The State Archives in Trenton holds historical Mercer County documents that may not be in the clerk's digital system.
Filing OPRA Requests in Mercer County
OPRA gives you the right to request records from any public body in Mercer County. This includes the clerk's office, the county government, municipal offices in Trenton and Hamilton, and more. Submit your request in writing to the custodian of records at the office that holds the file you need.
The response deadline is seven business days. Copy fees are $0.05 per letter-size page and $0.07 per legal-size page under OPRA. Electronic records may be provided at no cost by email. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Government Records Council, which reviews OPRA disputes at no charge to the requester.
Note: OPRA requests must describe the specific record you want, not ask a general question or request that staff do research on your behalf.
Mercer County Surrogate Office
The Mercer County Surrogate's phone number is (609) 571-6500. This office handles the probate of wills, estate administration, and guardianship matters for all of Mercer County. When someone dies, the will is filed with the surrogate, and the executor receives letters testamentary to manage the estate.
Probate records are public documents. You can request copies of filed wills, estate inventories, and other surrogate records. The office is in the county courthouse complex in Trenton. Walk-in visits are welcome during normal business hours.
Court Records in Mercer County
Mercer County court records are managed through the New Jersey court system. The NJ Courts public access site lets you search civil and criminal cases filed in Mercer County by name or case number. This tool is free and available to anyone. The courthouse in Trenton handles Superior Court cases for the county.
Some records are sealed or restricted. Most civil cases, though, are open to the public. You can check case status, view filing dates, and read judgment details online. For records not in the online system, visit the courthouse during business hours to request paper files.
Vital Records and State Resources
Because Trenton is the state capital, several key records offices are right in Mercer County. The New Jersey Department of Health maintains birth, death, and marriage records at the state level. These vital records are separate from what the county clerk holds. You can request copies from the state office or from the local registrar in the town where the event took place.
The image below shows the state OPRA portal, which is useful for requesting records from state agencies based in Trenton.
State-level requests follow the same OPRA rules but are handled by the specific state agency, not by Mercer County offices.
What Records Are Available
Mercer County offices hold a broad range of public records. Here are some of the most common types people search for:
- Deeds and mortgage documents
- Property liens and judgments
- Probate records and wills
- Civil and criminal court filings
- Trade name registrations
- Election records and voter data
Each type of record is held by a specific office. The clerk handles land records and trade names. The surrogate keeps probate files. The courts manage case filings. Knowing which office to contact saves you time and helps you get the right document on the first try.