Find Middlesex County Public Records
Middlesex County is one of the largest counties in New Jersey, with major communities like Edison Township, Woodbridge Township, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, and Old Bridge. The county seat is New Brunswick. Public records in Middlesex County are maintained by the County Clerk, Surrogate, Sheriff, and the courts. Whether you need a property deed from Edison or a court filing from New Brunswick, this page covers where to go, what to expect, and how to get copies of the records you need.
Middlesex County Clerk Office
The Middlesex County Clerk is at 75 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Call (732) 745-4200 for general questions. This office records all land documents for the county, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. It also handles elections, passports, and notary commissions.
Land records make up the bulk of what the clerk stores. Every property transfer in Edison, Woodbridge, Piscataway, Old Bridge, and all other Middlesex County towns gets filed here. The recording creates a permanent public record of who owns a property and what debts are attached to it. Title search firms rely on these records every day to verify ownership and check for liens before a sale goes through.
You can learn more at the Middlesex County website. The site has office hours, fee information, and links to online search tools.
Searching Middlesex County Property Records
Property records in Middlesex County can be searched by name, date, or document type. The clerk's office provides an online index that covers recent filings. Older records may require a visit to the office in New Brunswick. If you are looking for a deed to a home in Perth Amboy or a mortgage filed in Woodbridge, the same index applies.
Copy fees are standard across the county. Plain copies cost $2 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the certification plus $1.50 for each additional page. Bring a check or exact change if you visit in person. Some offices accept credit cards, but it is wise to call ahead and confirm.
The image below from the New Jersey State Archives shows the statewide resource for older county records.
Historical Middlesex County records that are not in the clerk's digital system may be available through the State Archives in Trenton.
Note: The online index does not include images of the actual documents, so you will need to order copies from the clerk for the full record.
OPRA and Public Records Requests
The Open Public Records Act applies to all government offices in Middlesex County. You can request records in writing from the custodian at any county or municipal office. The deadline for a response is seven business days. OPRA does not require you to state a reason for your request.
Standard copy fees under OPRA are $0.05 per letter-size page and $0.07 per legal-size page. Electronic records may be sent by email at no cost. If an office denies your request, you have the right to appeal. The Government Records Council reviews disputes and can order the release of improperly withheld records. Middlesex County offices must follow the same OPRA rules as every other county in the state.
Middlesex County Surrogate Records
The Middlesex County Surrogate is located at 56 Paterson Street in New Brunswick. The phone number is (732) 745-3822. This office handles probate of wills, guardianship filings, and estate administration for all of Middlesex County.
When a resident of Edison, Woodbridge, or any other town in the county passes away, the will is filed with the surrogate. The office then issues letters testamentary, which allow the executor to manage the estate. These records are public. Anyone can request copies of a filed will or other estate documents by visiting the office or submitting a written request. The surrogate's staff can answer questions about the probate process and the forms you need.
Court Records for Middlesex County
Middlesex County court records are part of the statewide New Jersey court system. Search civil and criminal cases at the NJ Courts public access portal. This free tool lets you look up cases by party name or case number. The Middlesex County courthouse in New Brunswick handles Superior Court matters.
Most civil and criminal case records are open to the public. You can check case status, view hearing dates, and read judgment details online. Some records are restricted by law, including sealed cases and certain family court filings. For paper files, visit the courthouse during normal hours. The staff can direct you to the right clerk's window for the type of case you need.
Sheriff and Civil Process
The Middlesex County Sheriff's office phone is (732) 745-3366. The sheriff handles civil process, courtroom security, and prisoner transport. Foreclosure sales for properties in Middlesex County are also run through the sheriff's office. Sale listings are posted publicly, and anyone can attend as a bidder as long as they follow the posted rules.
The image below shows the NJ Courts portal, which links to civil case data related to foreclosure actions in Middlesex County.
Check the sheriff's website or call for the current schedule of foreclosure sales and the terms that apply to bidders.
Major Towns in Middlesex County
Middlesex County covers a large area of central New Jersey. Several of its towns are among the most populated in the state. Each municipality has its own clerk who handles local records like building permits, meeting minutes, and ordinances. For county-level records such as deeds, probate, and court filings, you will use the county offices in New Brunswick.
- Edison Township, the largest community in the county
- Woodbridge Township, a major suburban hub
- New Brunswick, the county seat and home to Rutgers
- Perth Amboy, a historic city on the Raritan Bay
- Piscataway Township, bordering New Brunswick
- Old Bridge Township, in the southern part of the county
All property recordings and county-level filings for these towns pass through the Middlesex County Clerk at 75 Bayard Street in New Brunswick.
Getting Started with Your Search
If you are new to searching Middlesex County records, start with the online tools. The county website has links to the clerk's search portal, the courts system, and other resources. For records that are not online, call the relevant office to confirm hours and fees before you visit. Staff at the clerk's office, surrogate, and courthouse can point you to the right place if you are not sure where to begin.