Bergen County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Bergen County?

Public records in Bergen County are defined as government-created or maintained documents that are accessible to the public pursuant to New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq. This comprehensive statute establishes that government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by citizens of New Jersey, with certain exceptions for confidential information.

Bergen County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the New Jersey Courts system. These include complaints, motions, judgments, and case dispositions.
Property Records: The Bergen County Clerk's Office maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other land records dating back to the county's founding. Property assessment records are maintained by the Bergen County Board of Taxation.
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and civil union records are maintained by the Bergen County Clerk's Office and local municipal registrars.
Business Records: Trade names, business registrations, and certain licenses and permits are filed with the County Clerk's Office.
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax appeals are managed by the Bergen County Board of Taxation and municipal tax assessors.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registrations, election results, and campaign finance reports are maintained by the Bergen County Clerk and Board of Elections.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the Bergen County Board of Commissioners, planning boards, and other public bodies are maintained by the respective agencies.
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements are maintained by the Bergen County Treasurer's Office.
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with redactions as required by law), and other public safety records are maintained by the Bergen County Sheriff's Office and local police departments.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and development applications are maintained by the Bergen County Planning Board and municipal planning departments.

The Bergen County government website serves as the primary portal for accessing information about county services and records. Each record type is maintained by specific departments, with the County Clerk serving as the principal records custodian for many of the most frequently requested documents.

Is Bergen County an Open Records County?

Bergen County fully complies with New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., which establishes the state's framework for public access to government records. Under this statute, all government records are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

The preamble to OPRA clearly states: "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." This fundamental principle guides Bergen County's approach to records management and public access.

Bergen County has implemented comprehensive policies to ensure compliance with OPRA. The county maintains a dedicated OPRA request system through which members of the public may submit formal requests for records. Each county department has designated records custodians responsible for responding to requests within the statutorily mandated timeframe of seven business days.

In addition to OPRA compliance, Bergen County adheres to New Jersey's Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. § 10:4-6 et seq., commonly known as the "Sunshine Law." This statute requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with adequate notice provided, and that minutes of these meetings be promptly available as public records.

The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online resources, which provide direct access to many commonly requested records without the need for a formal OPRA request. The Bergen County official website serves as a central repository for public information, including meeting agendas, budgets, and departmental reports.

How to Find Public Records in Bergen County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Bergen County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple access points for public records:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- Property records can be searched through the Bergen County Clerk's land records portal
- Court records are accessible through the New Jersey Courts case search system
- Tax assessment records can be found via the Bergen County Board of Taxation property search tool
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and other public documents are posted on the Bergen County website
OPRA Requests: For records not readily available online, individuals may submit a formal Open Public Records Act request:
- Complete the county's OPRA request form
- Submit the form to the appropriate records custodian
- Provide a clear description of the records sought
- Include contact information for response
- Records custodians must respond within seven business days
In-Person Inspection: The public may visit county offices to examine records during regular business hours:
- No appointment is necessary for general inspection of public records
- Identification may be required for certain sensitive records
- Staff assistance is available to locate specific documents
- Copying services are provided for a fee
Municipal Records: For records maintained at the municipal level:
- Contact the appropriate municipal clerk's office
- Submit municipal OPRA requests through the local government's established process
- Many municipalities offer online OPRA request submission
Specialized Records: Certain records require specific procedures:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) can be ordered through the New Jersey Department of Health
- Environmental records are available through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- Court records may require submission of specific forms to the Superior Court Clerk's Office

Records custodians are required by law to provide assistance in identifying and locating the specific records requested. If a request is unclear or overly broad, the custodian will work with the requestor to clarify and narrow the scope of the request.

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

Bergen County follows the fee structure established by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, which sets standard rates for copies of government records. The current fee schedule for Bergen County public records is as follows:

Standard Paper Copies:
- Letter size (8.5" x 11"): $0.05 per page
- Legal size (8.5" x 14"): $0.07 per page
Electronic Records:
- Records provided via email or download: No charge
- Records provided on CD/DVD: $0.50 per disc
- Records provided on USB drive: Actual cost of the storage device
Special Service Charges:
- May apply for extraordinary requests requiring extensive use of technology or staff time
- Must be calculated based on the actual direct cost of providing the service
- Requestor must be notified in advance if such charges will apply
Specialized Records:
- Certified copies of vital records: $25.00 per copy
- Property deed copies: $10.00 for first page, $1.00 for each additional page
- Tax maps: Varies by size and complexity
- Large format plans/maps: Actual cost of reproduction

Payment methods currently accepted by Bergen County 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

It is important to note that under OPRA, fees may be waived for certain requestors, such as news media representatives seeking records in the public interest. Additionally, inspection of records in person is generally provided at no cost, with fees applying only to copies requested.

For records with statutorily established fees outside of OPRA (such as vital records), those specific fee schedules take precedence over the standard OPRA rates. The county is prohibited from charging more than the actual cost of reproducing the record.

Does Bergen County Have Free Public Records?

Bergen County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to residents and other interested parties. In accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., the following free options are currently available:

In-Person Inspection: Any member of the public may inspect public records during regular business hours at no charge. This right of inspection applies to all non-exempt government records maintained by Bergen County departments.
Online Access: The county provides free online access to numerous public records through its digital platforms:
- Bergen County's official website offers meeting minutes, budgets, and reports
- The Board of Taxation provides property assessment data
- Election results and voter information are available through the County Clerk's election division
Electronic Delivery: When records are available in electronic format, Bergen County provides them via email at no charge, as mandated by OPRA.
Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at various county facilities, including:
- The Bergen County Clerk's Office provides public access terminals for searching land records
- The Bergen County Law Library offers terminals for legal research and court record searches
- The Bergen County Planning Board maintains terminals for accessing zoning and planning documents
Public Meetings Documentation: Agendas, minutes, and supporting materials for public meetings are made available at no cost, both online and in paper format at the meetings themselves.
Certain Statutory Records: Some records are provided free of charge by statute, including:
- Veterans' discharge papers (DD-214) for the veteran or immediate family
- Certain records requested by other government agencies
- Records provided to indigent individuals who demonstrate financial hardship

It should be noted that while inspection is free, requests for copies of records may incur the standard fees outlined in the county's fee schedule. Additionally, records that require extensive research, compilation, or redaction may be subject to special service charges as permitted under OPRA.

Who Can Request Public Records in Bergen County?

Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, any person has the right to request access to government records in Bergen County, regardless of citizenship or residency status. The statute specifically states that government records shall be accessible to "the citizens of this State," but in practice, Bergen County does not restrict access based on residency.

The following individuals and entities may submit records requests:

New Jersey residents
Out-of-state residents
Foreign nationals
Corporations and business entities
Non-profit organizations
News media representatives
Government agencies
Attorneys and legal representatives
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)

When requesting records, individuals are generally not required to:

State the reason for their request
Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
Demonstrate a "need to know" or particular interest in the records

However, requestors must provide:

A clear description of the records sought
Contact information for response
Payment of applicable fees, if copies are requested

For certain specialized records, additional requirements may apply:

Vital Records: Requests for birth, death, and marriage certificates require proper identification and demonstration of a direct relationship or legitimate interest as defined in N.J.A.C. § 8:2A-3.1.
Criminal History Records: Access to complete criminal history information is restricted to authorized agencies and the subject of the records.
Medical Records: Access is limited to the patient or their authorized representative pursuant to HIPAA regulations.
Juvenile Records: These are generally confidential under N.J.S.A. § 2A:4A-60, with access limited to specified individuals and agencies.

Bergen County records custodians are required to respond to all valid OPRA requests, regardless of who submits them, within the statutory timeframe of seven business days. The county may not discriminate against requestors based on their identity or purpose, except as specifically authorized by law for protected record categories.

What Records Are Confidential in Bergen County?

While Bergen County strives to provide maximum access to public records, certain categories of information are exempt from disclosure under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., and other state and federal laws. The following records are generally considered confidential and not subject to public access:

Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, unlisted phone numbers, and driver's license numbers are protected under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1.
Criminal Investigatory Records: Information pertaining to ongoing investigations is exempt from disclosure under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1, including:
- Active investigation materials
- Confidential informant information
- Surveillance techniques and procedures
- Undercover officer identities
Juvenile Records: Court and law enforcement records involving minors are confidential pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2A:4A-60, with limited exceptions for specific agencies and circumstances.
Medical and Health Records: Patient information is protected under both OPRA and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Personnel and Pension Records: Employee records are generally exempt under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-10, except for basic employment information such as title, salary, and date of employment.
Domestic Violence Records: Information that would reveal the location of domestic violence victims or shelters is exempt under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1.
Emergency Response Plans: Security measures, surveillance techniques, and emergency evacuation plans are protected under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1.
Inter-agency or Intra-agency Advisory, Consultative, or Deliberative Material: Documents reflecting pre-decisional deliberations are exempt under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1.
Attorney-Client Privileged Communications: Legal advice and strategy documents between county officials and their attorneys are protected.
Trade Secrets and Proprietary Commercial Information: Confidential business information submitted to the county is exempt under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1.
Certain Educational Records: Student records are protected under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Child Abuse Records: Information maintained by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency is confidential pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 9:6-8.10a.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Bergen County records custodians will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the document. The custodian must provide a specific legal basis for any denial or redaction of records.

In some cases, courts may apply a "balancing test" weighing the public's right to access against privacy interests or other concerns, as established in Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408 (2009).

Bergen County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Bergen County Clerk's Office
One Bergen County Plaza, Room 130
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 336-7000
Bergen County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Extended hours: Wednesday until 7:30 PM (for certain services)
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and liens
Issuance of passports
Processing of business trade names
Notary public registrations
Veterans' discharge recordings
Election administration
Issuance of ID cards for veterans and seniors
Naturalization records

Bergen County Surrogate's Court
Bergen County Justice Center
10 Main Street, Room 211
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 336-6700
Bergen County Surrogate

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

Services Provided:

Probate of wills
Administration of estates
Guardianship proceedings
Adoption records

Bergen County Board of Taxation
One Bergen County Plaza, Room 370
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 336-6300
Bergen County Board of Taxation

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

Services Provided:

Property tax records
Tax appeals
Assessment records

Bergen County Sheriff's Office
Bergen County Justice Center
10 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 336-3500
Bergen County Sheriff

Hours of Operation:
Administrative Offices: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Records Bureau: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
24-hour operations for law enforcement functions

Services Provided: