Hudson County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Hudson County?

Public records in Hudson County are defined as government-created or maintained documents that are accessible to the public pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), codified under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1. These records document official government business and are maintained by various county and municipal offices throughout Hudson County.

Hudson County maintains a comprehensive array of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Hudson County Superior Court system
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Hudson County Register's Office
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and civil union records
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the Hudson County Board of Commissioners and various county boards
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions), and jail records
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and development applications

The Hudson County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized departments maintain records specific to their functions. The Hudson County Register's Office maintains property records, while the Hudson County Superior Court maintains judicial records.

Is Hudson County an Open Records County?

Hudson County fully complies with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, the law states that "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."

The statute further declares that "all government records shall be subject to public access unless exempt from such access by: [OPRA]; any other statute; resolution of either or both Houses of the Legislature; regulation promulgated under the authority of any statute or Executive Order of the Governor; Executive Order of the Governor; Rules of Court; any federal law, federal regulation, or federal order."

Hudson County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains designated records custodians in each department who are responsible for processing OPRA requests. Additionally, Hudson County adheres to New Jersey's Open Public Meetings Act, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," which ensures public access to government meetings.

The Hudson County Board of Commissioners has established a formal public records policy that outlines procedures for requesting and accessing county records, which is available on the county website.

How to Find Public Records in Hudson County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Hudson County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Submit an OPRA Request: Complete the official OPRA request form and submit it to the appropriate records custodian. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, fax, or electronically through department websites.
Visit County Offices: Records may be inspected in person during regular business hours at the appropriate county office:

Hudson County Clerk's Office
Hudson County Plaza
257 Cornelison Avenue, 4th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-369-3470
Hudson County Clerk
Search Online Databases: Many records are currently available through online portals:
- Court records can be searched through the New Jersey Courts public access system
- Property records can be accessed through the Hudson County Register's Office
- Vital records information is available through the New Jersey Department of Health
Contact Municipal Clerks: For records specific to municipalities within Hudson County, contact the appropriate city clerk's office, such as the Jersey City Clerk's Office.
Use the County Records Portal: The Hudson County Records Portal provides centralized access to various county records and forms.

Pursuant to OPRA, records custodians must respond to requests within seven business days. If a request is denied, the custodian must provide a specific legal basis for the denial.

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

Hudson County follows the fee structure established by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5. The current standard fees for public records in Hudson County are:

Paper Copies:
- $0.05 per letter-size page or smaller
- $0.07 per legal-size page or larger
Electronic Records:
- No charge when records are transmitted electronically
- Actual cost of media (CD, DVD, etc.) if physical media is requested
Special Service Charges:
- May apply for extraordinary time or effort required to fulfill a request
- Must be based on actual direct cost, including employee hourly wages
- Requestor must be notified in advance if special charges will apply
Certified Copies:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $25 for the first copy, $2 for each additional copy
- Certified court records: $10-$25 depending on document type
- Certified property records: $10 per document

Hudson County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (in person or online). Some departments may have specific payment requirements.

Fee waivers may be available for requests made in the public interest by news media, non-profit organizations, or researchers. The determination to grant fee waivers is made on a case-by-case basis.

Does Hudson County Have Free Public Records?

Hudson County provides free access to certain public records as required by state law. Under OPRA, all government records must be available for inspection at no cost during regular business hours. The following free records access options are currently available:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect any non-exempt public records free of charge at the appropriate county office during regular business hours.
Online Access: Several free online resources provide access to Hudson County records:
- The New Jersey Courts public access system offers free access to basic court case information
- The Hudson County Board of Commissioners website provides free access to meeting agendas, minutes, and resolutions
- The Hudson County Clerk's Election Results page offers free access to election data
Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Hudson County Clerk's Office and the Hudson County Law Library for free public access to certain electronic records.
Public Notices: Legal notices, public meeting schedules, and other official announcements are freely available on the Hudson County website.

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies of records as outlined in the fee schedule established under OPRA.

Who Can Request Public Records in Hudson County?

Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), any person may request access to government records in Hudson County. According to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, requestors have the following rights and requirements:

Residency: There is no residency requirement to request public records in Hudson County. 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 records.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose or reason for their request, except in specific cases where the law requires such disclosure (such as for certain motor vehicle records under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act).
Record-Specific Restrictions: Certain records have additional requirements:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require proof of relationship or legitimate interest
- Criminal history information requires fingerprinting and identity verification
- Medical examiner records may require proof of relationship to the deceased
Commercial Use: While commercial entities may request public records, some records may have specific restrictions on commercial use.
Requesting Your Own Records: Individuals requesting their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity.

The law prohibits discrimination against requestors based on the reason for the request, except where specifically authorized by statute.

What Records Are Confidential in Hudson County?

Certain records in Hudson County are exempt from public disclosure under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and other state and federal laws. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1, the following records are generally considered confidential:

Court Records:
- Sealed court records
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Domestic violence records
- Family court records involving minors
Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Unlisted telephone numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Personal financial information
Medical and Health Records:
- Patient records protected under HIPAA
- Mental health records
- Substance abuse treatment records
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation records
- Victim information in criminal cases
- Domestic violence reports
- Information that would jeopardize security measures
Personnel and Employment Records:
- Employee personnel files (with limited exceptions)
- Performance evaluations
- Disciplinary actions (unless resulting in termination)
Other Protected Records:
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Deliberative process materials
- Emergency or security information that could jeopardize public safety

Under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(g), if a government record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the records custodian must redact the exempt information and provide access to the remainder of the record.

The Government Records Council (GRC) provides guidance on exemptions and can mediate disputes regarding record access. Records custodians must cite the specific legal basis for any denial of access to records.

Hudson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Hudson County Register's Office
Hudson County Plaza
257 Cornelison Avenue, 2nd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-369-4747
Hudson County Register

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

Hudson County Clerk's Office
Hudson County Plaza
257 Cornelison Avenue, 4th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-369-3470
Hudson County Clerk

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

Hudson County Superior Court
Hudson County Administration Building
595 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
201-795-6400
New Jersey Courts - Hudson Vicinage

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

Jersey City Clerk's Office
City Hall
280 Grove Street, Room 118
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-547-5150
Jersey City Clerk

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