Court records in Cape May County, New Jersey can be searched through several channels. CapeMayCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additional access points include the New Jersey Courts online case search, the Superior Court Clerk's Office at the Cape May County Courthouse, the Cape May County Clerk's Office, and public terminals available at the courthouse during business hours.
Cape May Court System & Jurisdictions
New Jersey uses a unified court system, so Cape May County does not have separate district, magistrate, or probate courts. Instead, the Superior Court of New Jersey — Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage handles nearly all case types. The Superior Court is divided into three divisions:
- Criminal Division — Indictable offenses (felony-level crimes), criminal complaints, and grand jury matters.
- Civil Division — Lawsuits, contract disputes, foreclosures, landlord-tenant cases, and small claims (Special Civil Part handles claims up to $15,000 and landlord-tenant matters).
- Family Division — Divorce and dissolution, child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, juvenile delinquency, adoption, and guardianship.
In addition, Cape May County's 16 municipalities each operate a Municipal Court that handles:
- Traffic violations and moving offenses
- Disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanor-level)
- Petty disorderly persons offenses
- Municipal ordinance violations
- Fish and wildlife violations
Tax appeals are heard by the Cape May County Board of Taxation. Surrogate's Court, housed in the county courthouse, handles probate matters including wills, estates, and guardianship of minors.
The Cape May County Courthouse is located at:
Cape May Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Superior Court cases in Cape May County are managed through the New Jersey Judiciary's statewide system. To find today's or upcoming hearing schedules:
- Visit the New Jersey Courts website.
- Navigate to the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage page for local court information, contact numbers, and scheduling details.
- For a specific case, use the Find a Case tool to look up case status and scheduled events by case number or party name.
Municipal court calendars are posted by each individual municipality. Contact the specific municipal court directly for session dates and times. Court sessions in Cape May County municipal courts are typically held on set days each month.
If you are a party or attorney in a case, the eCourts system at portal.njcourts.gov provides case-specific scheduling information after login.
How to Get a Copy of a Cape May Court Document
The process for obtaining court documents depends on the type of record and the office that maintains it.
Superior Court Records
The Superior Court Clerk's Office processes requests for copies of court records. For Cape May County, electronic records in the statewide system generally date back to 2011. Older records may need to be retrieved from archived files.
- Certified copies — Bear the court seal and clerk's signature; required for legal proceedings.
- Uncertified copies — Plain reproductions suitable for personal reference.
To request copies:
- In person — Visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office at the Cape May County Courthouse, 9 North Main Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and document needed to the address above. Include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Online — Some case information is viewable through the Find a Case portal, though downloadable certified copies typically require an in-person or mail request.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are available through the Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center. The NJ Courts website also provides divorce self-help resources.
Land and Property Records
The Cape May County Clerk's Office maintains recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. These can be searched through the County Clerk's public search portal or the Consolidated Records Search System (PRESS), which pairs tax parcel data with land records dating back to 1996.
Restricted Records
Certain records are not publicly accessible in New Jersey, including:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile delinquency records (generally sealed)
- Records that have been expunged
- Sealed grand jury proceedings
Additional records may be obtainable through a formal Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request when directed to the appropriate government agency.
Cape May Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies in New Jersey are set by court rule and statute. The following table reflects standard fees established by the New Jersey Judiciary and the Cape May County Clerk's Office:
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.75 | NJ Court Rule 1:43-3 |
| Certification of a document | $15.00 | NJ Court Rule 1:43-3 |
| Exemplified copy (triple seal) | $25.00 | NJ Court Rule 1:43-3 |
| County Clerk — recorded document copy (per page) | $1.00 | Cape May County Clerk's Office |
| County Clerk — certification fee | $5.00 | Cape May County Clerk's Office |
Payment methods accepted at the courthouse typically include cash, check, and money order. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the Treasurer, State of New Jersey (for Superior Court records) or to the Cape May County Clerk (for recorded documents). Contact the relevant office to confirm current accepted payment methods, as policies may change.
Fees for OPRA requests follow state guidelines — the first page is generally free for letter-sized copies, with per-page charges applying thereafter. Special service charges may apply for large or complex requests.