What are Elizabeth Public Records?
Under the New Jersey Open Records Act, Elizabeth public records include all records generated, received, or preserved by any government agency in the city. Public records include papers, photographs, documents, microfilms, and electronically-stored data, used in the course of an agency's official business. Although most records are presumed public, the following exemptions exist:
- Criminal investigatory information not required by law
- Sealed records
- Trade secrets and proprietary information
- Records that reveal personal identifying information
- Records that contain personal information on crime victims
- Most records created by medical examiners
Elizabeth Crime Statistics
The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) provides statewide crime statistics, crime rate, clearances, and arrests for each police department in the state. According to published 2019 figures from the Elizabeth Police Department(EPD), the city recorded a total of 4,824 crimes, including 926 violent crimes and 3,898 property crimes. With 7 reported cases, rape was the least recurring violent crime while aggravated assault was the most common, with 485 cases. Other recorded violent crimes include 384 robberies and 50 rape cases. Reported property crimes include 757 auto thefts, 365 burglaries, and 2,776 cases of larceny, the most common property crime recorded in 2019. In the year, the total crime rate was 3,737.2 per 100,000 persons. The NJSP also reported a total of 714 arrests in Elizabeth.
Are Elizabeth Criminal Records Public?
Elizabeth criminal records are considered private and not obtainable by the general public. In compliance with New Jersey law, only the following may obtain criminal records in the city:
- The individual named on the record
- Private persons and organizations for deciding whether or not an individual is eligible for employment or volunteer activity
- Attorneys requesting in furtherance of active prosecution
- Registered and licensed private detectives
- Government agencies for carrying out official functions
Any of the above persons may request Elizabeth criminal records from the NJSP. Note that third-party requestors may be restricted to name-based searches for criminal records.
How to Obtain Elizabeth Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Administrative Service Bureau of the Elizabeth Police Department provides police reports and arrest records through its Records Division. Persons interested in Elizabeth police records may send written requests to the EPD. Ensure that the request contains all available information about the requested record, including the names of persons involved, dates, and locations. Send the request to:
Elizabeth Police Department
1 Police Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (908) 558-2000
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Elizabeth
The New Jersey State Police manages a public sex offender registry that contains information on all registered sex offenders. Persons interested in Elizabeth sex offender information may search the online sex offender registry. Residents may find offenders by name, city, address, and zip code and filter the search results for non-compliant offenders. Information accessible on the database includes the offender's full name, aliases, physical description, registration number, and a booking photograph. The registry also displays the offender's offense and warrant details, and vehicles the offender may own.
How to Find Elizabeth Inmate Records
The Union County Department of Corrections provides information on incarcerated inmates through its inmate lookup function. Using the feature, anyone may find an inmate by first name, last name, or date of birth. The inmate lookup function also allows Elizabeth residents to find inmates using a unique identifier. Available identifiers include:
- Booking number
- Case number
- FBI number
- ICE number
- Permanent number
- State number
- County number
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Union County Jail?
Each inmate at the Union County Jail is allowed to prepare a visiting list and change the names on the list every 30 days. The facility will only allow a visitor if the person is on the inmate's list. All visitors must present ID upon entry. Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Valid driver's license
- Alien card
- Passport
- DMV photo ID
- Valid military ID
Each visitor should be at least 18 years old or visit in the company of a parent or legal guardian. However, the adult must be on the inmate's visiting list. Visitors must adhere to a strict dress code during all visits. Clothing should not be tight, transparent, or revealing. Visitors who show up wearing clothes considered inappropriate may be denied entry.
The Union County Jail schedules visitations for inmates depending on classification. For instance, inmates in General Population may receive visitors from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Visitors may obtain numbered passes for the 9:00 am and 1:00 pm visiting sessions by 7:00 am and 11:am, respectively. All passes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitation to inmates in Protective Custody and the Close Custody Unit may be at the discretion of the Union County Jail Director.
Court Records
The city of Elizabeth sits the Union County Superior and Surrogate's Courts. The Superior Court is the county's highest court, with general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil matters. The Union County Superior Court also hears cases beyond other courts' jurisdiction. The Surrogate's Court exercises jurisdiction over probate matters, including appointing administrators for estates and guardians of minors.
Elizabeth also has a Municipal Court with limited jurisdiction over certain types of cases. It generally handles motor vehicle and traffic law violations, felony preliminary hearings, and violations of municipal or county ordinances.
Locations of Courts in Elizabeth
Union County Superior Court
Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: (908) 787-1650
Office of the Union County Surrogate
Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street
Second Floor
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: (908) 527-4280
Elizabeth Municipal Court
1 Police Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (908) 558-6800
Fax: (908) 558-1503
Are Elizabeth Court Records Public?
Most court records are open to the public in Union County. Anyone may request and obtain a copy of an Elizabeth court record, except the record has been sealed by a judge or is otherwise considered confidential by law. Regardless of this rule, the general public may not access certain information, such as juvenile and adoption records.
Can You Look up an Elizabeth Court Case Online?
Residents may gain online access to Elizabeth court records through the Electronic Access Program (EAP) provided by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts. The EAP contains case information and judgment details of statewide court records. Interested parties may use the function to access specifics on most filed documents, litigant information and status, attorneys involved in cases, motion dispositions, and court orders. To use the EAP, send a completed enrollment form to:
Electronic Access Program
Superior Court Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 971
Trenton, NJ 08625
The EAP features different systems for accessing court records, depending on the type of record desired. These include:
- Automated Case Management System (ACMS)
- Civil Judgment and Order Docket
- Family Automated Case Tracking System (FACTS)
- Automated Traffic System (ATS)
How to Obtain Elizabeth Court Case Records
Interested parties may obtain Elizabeth court records in person or by mail. To request by mail, fill a records request form with a detailed description of the desired records. The form requires the case name, docket or complaint number, information on the defendant, arrest date, and the requestor's contact details. Requestors may also select one of the following types of copies:
- Certified
- Certified with a court seal
- Apostille
- Exemplified
- Triple exemplified
- Plain
Note that fees payable for each type of copy may differ. Send the completed form to the county court or visit in person at:
Union County Superior Court
Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: (908) 787-1650
What are Elizabeth Vital Records?
Elizabeth vital records are created by government agencies and contain recorded information on life events. Vital records are official documents that serve as proof of death, birth, marriage, and divorce. Depending on the desired record, residents may obtain copies of Elizabeth vital records from the Union County Superior Court or the Elizabeth Office of Vital Statistics.
Where and How to Obtain Elizabeth Divorce Records
The Union County Superior Court maintains records of divorces in the county and issues copies of the court's final judgment. An interested party may obtain a Certificate of Divorce or a Judgment of Divorce. Both types of records contain important information, such as the names of the divorced parties, the date of the court's judgment, and a docket number.
Elizabeth divorce records are obtainable by mail or in person. For a mail order, send a written request to the Superior Court. Ensure that the request contains the date of divorce, any known specifics of the court's judgment, and the divorced parties' names. The requestor may visit the court or send the request using the following details:
Union County Superior Court
Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: (908) 787-1650
Interested parties may also access Elizabeth divorce records using the Family Automated Case Tracking System (FACTS) provided under the Electronic Access Program (EAP).
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Elizabeth
The Elizabeth Office of Vital Statistics maintains records of marriages that take place in the city and receives requests by mail or in person. The Office of Vital Statistics only entertains requests for certified copies from the following persons:
- One of the married parties
- Either party's parent, legal representative, or legal guardian
- Either party's spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner of legal age
- Either party's sibling, child, or grandchild of legal age
- An individual with a court order granting access to the record
Persons who do not meet the above criteria may obtain certifications. To order an Elizabeth marriage by mail, fill a request form with the full names of both spouses, date of event, and place of event. Each certified copy costs $15, payable by check or money order. Certifications cost $8 each. Send the completed form, payment, and a government-issued ID card to the Office of Vital Statistics or visit in person at:
City of Elizabeth
Office of Vital Statistics
City Hall
Room G12
50 Winfield Scott Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (908) 820-4062
Fax: (908) 820-4717
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where and How to Find Elizabeth Birth Records
Interested persons may obtain copies of Elizabeth birth certificates from the Office of Vital Statistics. While other persons may obtain certifications, access to a certified record is restricted. Only the following persons may obtain certified copies:
- The person on the record
- A parent, legal representative, or guardian
- Spouse of legal age
- Child, grandchild, or sibling of legal age
- Anyone granted access by a court order
To order a birth record by mail, complete a request form with the name of the child at birth, date and place of birth, and the full names of the child's parents. If the child presently goes by a different name, include the new name. A certification costs $8, while a certified copy costs $15, payable by check or money order. In-person requestors may pay cash. Send the form, payment, and a copy of a valid government-issued ID to the Office of Vital statistics. Alternatively, visit in person at:
City of Elizabeth
Office of Vital Statistics
City Hall
Room G12
50 Winfield Scott Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (908) 820-4062
Fax: (908) 820-4717
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where and How to Find Elizabeth Death Records
The Office of Vital Statistics maintains copies of Elizabeth death records. To request a death record by mail, fill a request form with the decedent's name, place and date of death, and the decedent's parents' full names. Only persons who can prove a relationship may obtain certified copies of Elizabeth death records. Each certified copy costs $15, while certifications obtainable by other persons cost $8 each. Mail orders require payment by check or money order. If requesting in person, the Office of Vital Statistics accepts cash payments. Send all documents to the Office of Vital Statistics, or visit in person to obtain copies of death records:
City of Elizabeth
Office of Vital Statistics
City Hall
Room G12
50 Winfield Scott Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (908) 820-4062
Fax: (908) 820-4717
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
