Salem County Criminal Court Records
Salem County criminal court records are available at the Superior Court in Salem, New Jersey. This is one of the oldest counties in the state, established in 1694 in the Province of West Jersey. Criminal court records in Salem County cover indictable offenses handled by the Superior Court and minor criminal matters heard in local municipal courts. The Criminal Division Records office processes requests for case documents, dispositions, and related court files. Salem County is part of the Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Vicinage.
Salem County Quick Facts
Salem County Criminal Division
The Salem County Courthouse is at 92 Market Street in Salem, NJ 08079. Criminal Division Records can be reached at 856-878-5050, extension 15780. The court is part of the Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Vicinage, which means three counties share certain administrative court services.
The Ombudsman Office serves all three counties in the vicinage. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The main Ombudsman Office is at the Cumberland County Courthouse, 60 West Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302. The phone is 856-878-5050, extension 15159. For Salem County criminal court records specifically, contact the Criminal Division at the Salem County Courthouse.
Court staff can help with procedures but cannot provide legal advice. If you need to understand the process for obtaining criminal court records in Salem County, the staff can walk you through the steps. They can tell you which forms to fill out, where to submit them, and what the current fees are.
| Court |
Salem County Superior Court Criminal Division 92 Market Street Salem, NJ 08079 Phone: (856) 878-5050 ext. 15780 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Vicinage | Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Vicinage |
Note: Salem County shares its vicinage with Cumberland and Gloucester Counties, so some administrative functions are handled from the Bridgeton office.
Search Salem County Criminal Records
You can search for criminal court records in Salem County through several methods. In-person visits, mail requests, and online portals each provide different levels of access. The method you choose depends on your needs.
Visit the Criminal Division at 92 Market Street in Salem for in-person requests. Bring your photo ID. Fill out a Records Request Form. Provide the defendant's name, case number, or date of birth. Pay the search fee of $5 per name and $0.05 per page for copies. Staff will help you find the criminal court records you need.
Online searches for Salem County criminal court records can be done through the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system. This portal covers indictable criminal cases from arrest through all court stages. Search by name, indictment number, or complaint number. Only convicted and sentenced defendants appear in the results.
The Salem County Clerk's Office also maintains public records at 110 Fifth Street, Suite 200, Salem, NJ 08079. The phone is 856-339-8605. While the Clerk's Office focuses on land records and property documents, it may hold some older court-related records. The Record Room is open for searching between 8:30 AM and 4:15 PM. Call 856-935-7510, extension 8219 to reach the Record Room.
Visit the Salem County Clerk website for public records information.
The Salem County Clerk's website provides details about appointments, office hours, and available records.
Salem County Court Record History
Salem County has one of the longest histories of any county in New Jersey. The Salem court was first set up in the Province of West Jersey in 1681. The county itself was formed from the Salem Tenth on May 17, 1694. Its southern section became Cumberland County in 1748. This long history means Salem County has a deep archive of court records going back hundreds of years.
The New Jersey State Archives holds a large collection of Salem County records. Their holdings cover 123.53 cubic feet of paper records and 137 reels of microfilm. The collection includes Justice of the Peace Dockets from 1758 to 1948, Records relating to Chancery Court, Court of Oyer and Terminer, and Supreme Court Cases from 1779 to 1877. These represent some of the earliest criminal court records in the state.
Other historical records in the State Archives include Deeds from 1786 to 1900, Marriage Records from 1680 to 1956, Slave Manumissions and Birth Certificates of Children of Slaves from 1800 to 1841, Military Records from around 1860 to 1940, and Naturalization Records from 1800 to 1929. County clerks were required to file copies of deeds starting in 1785 and mortgages starting in 1766.
Note: For historical criminal court records from Salem County predating 1900, contact the New Jersey State Archives rather than the current County Clerk's office.
Salem County Municipal Court Records
Municipal courts in Salem County handle minor criminal matters, traffic violations, and disorderly persons offenses. Each municipality has its own court. Records from municipal courts are kept at the local court, not at the Superior Court. For minor criminal court records, contact the specific municipal court where the case was heard.
Salem City Municipal Court is at 125 West Broadway, Salem, NJ 08079. The phone is 856-935-1734. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM. Court sessions start at 9:00 AM and are typically held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
View the Salem City Municipal Court page for session dates and contact details.
The Salem City Municipal Court website lists upcoming session dates and payment methods for fines and fees.
Salem City Court does not accept debit or credit cards. Only check, cash, or money order is accepted for criminal court records and fines. For traffic matters, payments can be made online at njmcdirect.com. The Municipal Court Case Search portal offers free access to municipal court records statewide.
Salem County Clerk Recording Office
The Salem County Clerk's Office records more than 150 types of documents. Most relate to property transactions, but the Clerk also handles business certificates, liens, and money judgments. The office is at 110 Fifth Street, Suite 200 in Salem. The County Clerk is Dale A. Cross.
Services are by appointment only. Call 856-935-7510, extension 8605 for the County Clerk or extension 8219 for the Record Room. Recording services run from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM with no transactions accepted after 4:00 PM. The phone for recording services is 856-935-7510, extension 8300.
View Salem County recording services and document requirements.
The recording services page details document requirements and fee schedules for Salem County.
The Clerk's Office also has a public records search tool. The database lets you find documents by type and name within a specific time period. You can view documents that have been published online. Press F2 to see details of each document. This tool covers land records rather than criminal court records, but it may help with related property searches in Salem County.
Salem County Surrogate Court
The Salem County Surrogate's Office handles probate matters, wills, estate administrations, and guardianship papers. It is at 94 Market Street in Salem. The Surrogate is Nicki A. Burke. The phone number is 856-935-7510, extension 6322. While the Surrogate does not handle criminal court records, probate and estate matters sometimes connect to criminal cases in Salem County.
Towns in Salem County
Salem County is one of the smaller counties in New Jersey. All indictable criminal cases are handled at the Superior Court in Salem. Each municipality also operates its own municipal court for minor criminal offenses.
Other municipalities in Salem County include Pennsville Township, Carneys Point Township, Woodstown Borough, Penns Grove Borough, Pittsgrove Township, Alloway Township, Lower Alloways Creek, Pilesgrove Township, Quinton Township, Upper Pittsgrove Township, Elsinboro Township, Mannington Township, and Oldmans Township. All serious criminal court records go to the Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Salem County. Criminal court records are filed where the offense took place. Make sure you have the right county before requesting records.