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How to Look Up Eviction Records in New Jersey 2026

Court portal, certified copy fees, and expungement laws for New Jersey

Special Civil Part of Superior Court Court handling eviction cases
Statewide Online Online access level
$0.50/page Certified copy fee (typical)
Yes Eviction record expungement available

Where to Search New Jersey Eviction Records

Court: Special Civil Part of Superior Court
Online portal: NJ Courts eCourts
Certified copy fee: $0.50/page

New Jersey Residential Landlord-Tenant (eviction) actions are filed in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court, in the county where the property is located. The NJ Courts eCourts portal (portal.njcourts.gov) allows statewide case search. Important: New Jersey S3691 (enacted 2021) restricts adverse screening use of eviction records older than 3 years and requires sealing of records where the tenant prevailed. Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.; NJ Courts.

Step-by-Step: How to Search New Jersey Eviction Records

  1. Go to NJ Courts eCourts. Open https://portal.njcourts.gov in your browser.
  2. Search by party name. Enter the prospective tenant's full legal name (last name, first name) as a defendant/respondent. Try name variations including maiden names.
  3. Filter by case type. Select eviction, forcible detainer, unlawful detainer, or summary possession as the case type depending on the court's terminology.
  4. Review the disposition. Identify whether the case resulted in a judgment for the landlord (eviction), dismissal (tenant won or case settled), or is still pending. A filing alone does not mean the tenant was evicted.
  5. Check the filing date. Important: New Jersey has eviction record protections — N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16 et seq. (S3691, eff. 2021); NJ Admin Code 5:7-5.2. Do not make adverse screening decisions on sealed, expunged, or protected records.
  6. Request certified copies if needed. For a certified copy of the court record, contact the Special Civil Part of Superior Court clerk's office directly. Fees are typically $0.50/page.

Eviction Record Expungement in New Jersey

Expungement Law: NJ S3691 (2022) — Eviction records may be sealed if tenant wins or case is dismissed; 3-year limit on use of adverse eviction records for screening. NJ Anti-Eviction Act protects certain tenants from adverse use.
Citation: N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16 et seq. (S3691, eff. 2021); NJ Admin Code 5:7-5.2

Landlords and screening companies may not use sealed or expunged eviction records as a basis for adverse tenant-screening decisions in New Jersey. Tenants who believe their records have been improperly used may have a civil claim under the applicable statute. If a tenant discloses an expunged eviction, you may ask for context but cannot deny housing based solely on the expunged record.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up eviction records in New Jersey?

New Jersey Residential Landlord-Tenant (eviction) actions are filed in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court, in the county where the property is located. The NJ Courts eCourts portal (portal.njcourts.gov) allows statewide case search. Important: New Jersey S3691 (enacted 2021) restricts adverse screening use of eviction records older than 3 years and requires sealing of records where the tenant prevailed. Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.; NJ Courts.

Are eviction court records public in New Jersey?

Yes — eviction court records in New Jersey are presumptively public under New Jersey's public records law. Eviction actions are civil court filings and are part of the court's public record, accessible by any member of the public, except for sealed or expunged records (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16 et seq. (S3691, eff. 2021); NJ Admin Code 5:7-5.2).

Can a tenant get an eviction record removed or expunged in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey has enacted eviction record expungement or sealing protections: NJ S3691 (2022) — Eviction records may be sealed if tenant wins or case is dismissed; 3-year limit on use of adverse eviction records for screening. NJ Anti-Eviction Act protects certain tenants from adverse use. (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16 et seq. (S3691, eff. 2021); NJ Admin Code 5:7-5.2). Tenants who qualify may petition the court to seal or vacate the eviction record.

How much does it cost to get a certified copy of an eviction court record in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, certified copy fees for court records are typically $0.50/page. Fees are set by the Special Civil Part of Superior Court and may vary by county or court location. Many courts also charge a flat certification fee on top of the per-page copy fee. Online access to basic case information (party names, filing date, disposition) is typically free through the court's public portal where available.

Related New Jersey Landlord Guides

← New Jersey Eviction Risk Overview New Jersey Just Cause Eviction New Jersey Eviction Notices New Jersey Eviction Timeline Eviction Records — All States

Court portal information sourced from the New Jersey court administrative office official website. Expungement laws from published New Jersey statutes (see citations above). Last updated April 30, 2026. For informational purposes only — not legal advice.