Somerset County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Somerset County?

Public records in Somerset County are defined as government-created or maintained documents that are accessible to the public pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA). According to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, public records include "any paper, written or printed book, document, drawing, map, plan, photograph, microfilm, data processed or image processed document, information stored or maintained electronically or by sound-recording or in a similar device, or any copy thereof."

Somerset County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court documents maintained by the Somerset County Superior Court
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
• Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission and various boards' proceedings
• Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, revenues, and financial reports
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with statutory limitations)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and development applications

The Somerset County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized departments maintain others. The Somerset County Surrogate's Office maintains probate records, and the Somerset County Sheriff's Office maintains certain law enforcement records.

Is Somerset County an Open Records County?

Somerset County fully complies with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), which establishes the state's public records access framework. Under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, the law declares that "government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this State, with certain exceptions, for the protection of the public interest."

The statute further states that "all government records shall be subject to public access unless exempt from such access by [OPRA] as amended and supplemented; any other statute; resolution of either or both houses of the Legislature; regulation promulgated under the authority of any statute or Executive Order of the Governor; Executive Order of the Governor; Rules of Court; any federal law, federal regulation, or federal order."

Somerset County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains a dedicated Records Access Office that processes OPRA requests and ensures compliance with statutory requirements.

Additionally, Somerset County adheres to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," which requires public bodies to conduct their business in open, public sessions with proper notice.

How to Find Public Records in Somerset County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Somerset County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

1. Submit an OPRA Request: Complete the county's official OPRA request form, available through the Somerset County Records Access Office. Requests may be submitted:

   • In person at the Records Access Office
   • By mail
   • By fax
   • Through the county's online portal
   • Via email to the designated Records Custodian

2. Visit the Appropriate Department: Many records can be accessed directly from the department that maintains them:

   • Property records: Somerset County Clerk's Office
   • Court records: Somerset County Superior Court
   • Probate records: Somerset County Surrogate's Office
   • Tax records: Somerset County Tax Board

3. Use Online Resources: Somerset County provides several online databases for public access:

   • The Somerset County Clerk's Land Records Search for property documents
   • The New Jersey Courts Public Access System for court records
   • The Somerset County GIS Portal for property maps and data

4. Schedule an Appointment: For complex research or to examine physical records, the public may schedule appointments with specific departments to ensure staff availability and access to requested materials.

When submitting requests, individuals should provide specific information about the records sought, including relevant dates, names, and document types to facilitate efficient processing.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Somerset County?

Somerset County assesses fees for public records in accordance with N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5. The current fee structure includes:

• Standard Paper Copies: $0.05 per letter-size page or smaller; $0.07 per legal-size page or larger
• Electronic Records: Generally provided at no cost when records are maintained electronically and can be emailed
• Alternative Formats: Actual cost of materials for records provided on CD, DVD, or other media
• Special Service Charges: May apply for extraordinary time or effort required to fulfill requests, calculated based on the lowest-paid qualified employee's hourly rate

Specific record types may have statutorily established fees:

• Certified Copies of Vital Records: $25 for the first copy, $2 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time
• Recorded Land Documents: $10 for the first page, $2 for each additional page
• Maps and Large Format Documents: $5 per page
• Certified Court Records: $25 per certification plus copy fees

Payment methods accepted include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Check or money order
• Credit/debit cards (for certain departments and online services)
• Electronic payment through the county's online portal

Fee waivers may be available for certain requestors, including news media representatives seeking records in the public interest and individuals demonstrating financial hardship, subject to approval by the Records Custodian.

Does Somerset County Have Free Public Records?

Somerset County provides free access to certain public records as required by state law. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours at no charge. The following free services are available:

• In-Person Inspection: Records may be examined at the appropriate county office during normal business hours without charge (copying fees still apply)

• Online Access: Several free online databases are maintained by the county:

  • Somerset County Meeting Agendas and Minutes
  • Somerset County Budget Documents
  • Somerset County Election Results
  • Somerset County GIS Maps (basic access)

• Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Somerset County Library System branches and certain county offices for accessing digital records

• Electronic Delivery: When records are maintained electronically and can be emailed, they are typically provided without charge

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection also provides free access to environmental records that may pertain to Somerset County locations.

Who Can Request Public Records in Somerset County?

Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, any person may request access to government records in Somerset County. According to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, requestors:

• Need not be New Jersey residents
• Are not required to state a reason or purpose for their request
• May remain anonymous for most record types
• May submit requests through an attorney or authorized representative

However, certain limitations apply to specific record types:

• Criminal Records: Background checks require proper identification and may have restrictions based on the requestor's relationship to the subject
• Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates are restricted to individuals with a direct interest (self, immediate family, legal representative) or those with a demonstrable need
• Voter Registration Records: While available to the public, personal identifying information is redacted for privacy protection
• Medical Records: Access is restricted by HIPAA and state privacy laws to the individual or their authorized representative

For records containing both public and confidential information, the county will redact exempt information and provide access to the remainder of the record, as required by N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(g).

Requestors seeking their own records typically must provide identification to verify their identity before receiving sensitive personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Somerset County?

Somerset County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act and other applicable laws. According to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1, the following records are not considered government records subject to public access:

• Criminal Investigatory Records: Ongoing investigation materials and records that would jeopardize security measures or investigations
• Victim Records: Information that would violate a victim's reasonable expectation of privacy
• Juvenile Records: Court and law enforcement records pertaining to minors
• Personnel and Pension Records: Employee evaluations, medical information, and personal data
• Attorney-Client Privileged Materials: Communications between the county and its legal counsel
• Deliberative Process Materials: Pre-decisional drafts, recommendations, and advisory opinions
• Emergency or Security Information: Plans, procedures, or facilities that would create a security risk
• Computer Security Information: Data that would jeopardize computer security
• Social Security Numbers, Credit Card Numbers, Unlisted Phone Numbers: Personal identifying information
• Health Records: Medical information protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
• Domestic Violence Records: Information that could compromise victim safety

Additional exemptions apply to:

• Adoption Records: Sealed by court order and accessible only through court procedures
• Certain Economic Development Information: Proprietary commercial or financial information
• Grand Jury Materials: Proceedings and testimony before grand juries
• Certain Law Enforcement Techniques: Information that would compromise law enforcement methods

The county applies a balancing test as required by N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, weighing the public's right to access against privacy concerns and security needs. When records contain both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact confidential portions and release the remainder.

Somerset County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Somerset County Clerk's Office
20 Grove Street, 1st Floor
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7000
Somerset County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Extended hours until 6:00 PM on Wednesdays
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, and land records
• Processing of business trade names
• Passport applications
• Notary public registrations
• Veterans' discharge recordings
• Election administration
• Records management

Somerset County Surrogate's Office
20 Grove Street, 2nd Floor
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7003
Somerset County Surrogate

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Somerset County Records Access Office
20 Grove Street, Administration Building
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7101
Somerset County Records Access

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Lookup Public Records in Somerset County

NJ Courts: Official Website of the New Jersey Judiciary

Superior Court Clerk's Office: Court Records Access

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: OPRA Records Request