Gloucester County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Gloucester County?

Public records in Gloucester County are defined as government-created or maintained documents that are accessible to the public under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. These records document the business of government and are maintained by various county departments and agencies.

The following types of public records are available in Gloucester County:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records maintained by the New Jersey Courts system. These include case filings, judgments, and court calendars.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Gloucester County Clerk's Office and Tax Assessor's Office.
Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates maintained by the Gloucester County Clerk's Office. Birth and death certificates from 1917 onward are also available through the New Jersey Department of Health.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations (trade names) maintained by the County Clerk's Office.
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps maintained by the Gloucester County Tax Board and municipal tax collectors.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports maintained by the Gloucester County Board of Elections.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and other public body deliberations.
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial statements, audits, and expenditure reports maintained by the Gloucester County Finance Department.
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports maintained by the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office and local police departments.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning board decisions, zoning maps, and land development applications maintained by the Gloucester County Planning Department and municipal planning offices.

The Gloucester County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including land records, business filings, and vital statistics. Other records are maintained by their respective departments according to their statutory responsibilities.

Is Gloucester County an Open Records County?

Gloucester County fully complies with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, the law 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, and any limitations on the right of access accorded by P.L.1963, c. 73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.) as amended and supplemented, shall be construed in favor of the public's right of access."

Gloucester County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains a dedicated OPRA request process through each department and agency that serves as a custodian of records.

In addition to OPRA, Gloucester County also adheres to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and properly noticed.

The county has established a comprehensive records management program in compliance with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) guidelines for records retention and disposition.

How to Find Public Records in Gloucester County in 2026

Members of the public may access Gloucester County records through several methods:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. The Gloucester County Clerk's Office provides online access to land records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Property tax information is searchable through the county tax board's online portal.
OPRA Request Form: For records not available online, individuals may submit an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request form to the appropriate records custodian. The standard OPRA request form is available on the county website and at county offices. Requests must include:
- Requestor's name, address, and contact information
- Clear description of the records sought
- Preferred method of delivery (inspection, copies, electronic format)
In-Person Inspection: The public may visit county offices during regular business hours to inspect records in person. No appointment is necessary for general inspection, though some specialized records may require scheduling.
Court Records: Judicial records can be accessed through the New Jersey Courts public portal, which provides case information for Superior Court matters.
Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates may be requested in person at the County Clerk's Office or through the mail with proper identification and applicable fees.
Land and Property Records: Real estate documents dating back to 1686 are maintained by the County Clerk's Office and can be searched by name, property location, or document type.
Sheriff's Records: Law enforcement records requests must be submitted to the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office using their specific request procedures.

Records custodians must respond to OPRA requests within seven business days of receipt, either by providing access to the records, denying access with specific reasons, or requesting an extension of time.

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

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

Paper Copies:
- Letter size (8.5" x 11") and legal size (8.5" x 14"): $0.05 per page
- Larger sizes: Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic Records:
- Records sent via email or downloaded from a website: No charge
- Records provided on storage media (CD, DVD, USB drive): Cost of the storage medium
Special Service Charges: May apply when the request requires extraordinary time or effort to accommodate. These charges must reflect the actual direct cost of providing the service.
Certified Copies:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $25.00 for the first copy, $2.00 for each additional copy of the same record
- Certified copies of other documents: Additional $5.00 per document
Land Records:
- Recording fees: First page $40.00, each additional page $10.00
- Copies of recorded documents: $0.05 per page
- Certified copies of recorded documents: Additional $10.00 per document
Court Records:
- Copies from the Superior Court: $0.05 per page
- Certified copies: Additional $5.00 per document

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit cards (at select locations). All checks and money orders should be made payable to "Gloucester County Clerk" or the specific department handling the request.

Fee waivers may be granted when the information requested is deemed to be in the public interest and will contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations.

Does Gloucester County Have Free Public Records?

Gloucester County provides free access to certain public records in accordance with state law. Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, the public has the right to inspect records at no cost during regular business hours. The following free record access options are available:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine non-exempt records at no charge at the appropriate county office during regular business hours. This includes reviewing land records, meeting minutes, budgets, and other public documents.
Online Records: The county provides free access to several online record databases, including:
- Land records search for basic property information
- Tax assessment records through the county tax board portal
- County Commission meeting agendas and minutes
- County budget documents and financial reports
- Election results and voter information (excluding confidential voter data)
Government Websites: The Gloucester County website provides free access to numerous public documents, forms, and information.
Public Libraries: The Gloucester County Library System offers free public computer access where residents can search online county records.
New Jersey Courts: Basic case information is available at no charge through the New Jersey Courts public portal.
New Jersey State Archives: Historical records related to Gloucester County may be accessed through the New Jersey State Archives research room at no cost for inspection.

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or records requiring special processing as detailed in the fee schedule section.

Who Can Request Public Records in Gloucester 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 Gloucester County. The following eligibility requirements and considerations apply:

Residency: There is no residency requirement for requesting public records. Both New Jersey residents and non-residents may submit OPRA requests.
Identification: Requestors must provide their name, address, and contact information on the OPRA request form. However, anonymous requests are permitted for in-person inspection of immediate access records such as budgets, bills, vouchers, and contracts.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose or reason for their request, except in specific circumstances involving:
- Criminal investigatory records
- Victim's records
- Personnel records
- Records protected by court order
Commercial Use: While commercial entities may request records, some specialized records may have different fee structures for commercial use.
Requesting Your Own Records: Individuals requesting their own records may need to provide proper identification to verify their identity, particularly for confidential or personal records.
Requesting Others' Records: Access to another individual's records may be limited by privacy protections under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, which states that "a public agency has a responsibility and an obligation to safeguard from public access a citizen's personal information with which it has been entrusted when disclosure thereof would violate the citizen's reasonable expectation of privacy."
Attorneys and Legal Representatives: May request records on behalf of clients with proper authorization.
News Media: Representatives of news organizations have the same rights of access as other requestors, with no special privileges or restrictions.

Records custodians are prohibited from asking why a record is being requested, except in the limited circumstances noted above. The identity or status of the requestor should not affect the right of access except where specifically provided by law.

What Records Are Confidential in Gloucester County?

Certain records in Gloucester County are exempt from public disclosure under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 specifically exempts the following categories of records:

Criminal Investigatory Records: Records pertaining to ongoing investigations or those that would reveal investigative techniques or jeopardize investigations if released.
Juvenile Records: Records related to juveniles charged as delinquents or in need of supervision, including family court records involving minors.
Victim's Records: Information that would reveal the identity of victims of crimes, particularly in cases of domestic violence or sexual offenses.
Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, unlisted telephone numbers, and driver's license numbers.
Medical Records: Health records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other medical privacy laws.
Personnel and Pension Records: Employee records including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information, with limited exceptions for specific employment information.
Adoption Records: Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed by court order.
Child Welfare Records: Records maintained by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency regarding child abuse investigations and foster care.
Emergency Response Plans: Security measures, surveillance techniques, and emergency evacuation plans for public buildings and infrastructure.
Inter-agency or Intra-agency Advisory, Consultative, or Deliberative Material: Documents reflecting pre-decisional deliberations among government officials.
Trade Secrets and Proprietary Commercial Information: Confidential business information that would give advantage to competitors.
Attorney-Client Privileged Communications: Legal advice and communications between government agencies and their attorneys.
Computer Security Information: Information regarding computer network security and potential vulnerabilities.
Records Protected by Court Order: Any records sealed or otherwise restricted by judicial order.
Records Protected by Daniel's Law: Home addresses and telephone numbers of active and retired judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the records custodian must redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The custodian bears the burden of proving that a denial of access is authorized by law.

Gloucester County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Gloucester County Clerk's Office
1 North Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 853-3237
Gloucester County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Extended hours: Wednesday until 6:30 PM (for recording documents and passport services only)
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Recording Division Contact Information:
Phone: (856) 853-3237
Fax: (856) 853-3327
Email: countyclerk@co.gloucester.nj.us

Services Provided: