Search New Jersey Felony Records
New Jersey felony records are public documents kept by the Superior Court in each of the 21 counties and by the New Jersey State Police. County courts store full criminal case files at the Criminal Division of the Superior Court. The state police maintain criminal history records through the State Bureau of Identification. You can search New Jersey felony records online through the PROMIS/Gavel system, by mail, or in person at courthouses across the state. This guide covers how to find and access felony records in New Jersey, what they contain, and where to look in each county.
New Jersey Felony Records Quick Facts
Where to Find New Jersey Felony Records
There are two main sources for felony records in New Jersey. The Superior Court Criminal Division in each county holds the full case files for every indictable offense prosecuted there. These files include indictments, criminal complaints, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders signed by the judge. The clerk of the Superior Court in each county keeps these felony records and can provide copies. You can visit the courthouse in person or search some records through the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system online.
The New Jersey State Police, through the State Bureau of Identification, serve as the central repository for Criminal History Record Information. Under N.J.A.C. 13:59-1 et seq., the state police maintain fingerprint-based criminal history records covering arrests, convictions, and dispositions across all 21 counties. You can request your own record or an authorized check through IDEMIA fingerprinting at a cost of $45.73. Personal record requests use service code 2F1BJG, and results are available within 24 to 72 hours of fingerprinting at the IDEMIA IdentoGO portal.
Note: The PROMIS/Gavel system only shows defendants with cases where they were convicted and sentenced in Superior Court.
How to Search Felony Records in New Jersey
New Jersey offers several ways to look up felony records. Online access is the fastest method for most searches. You can search from home at any time. In-person visits work well when you need certified copies or want to review the full case file. Both options are available to anyone in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Courts public access portal provides free access to criminal case records across all 21 counties. You can search by defendant name, indictment number, or complaint number to find felony cases. The system shows case status, charges, and sentencing details for convicted defendants. For municipal court matters like disorderly persons offenses, the Municipal Court Case Search covers all 530 municipal courts statewide. Search by ticket number, complaint number, or full name. Case numbers use a structure where S means summons, C means complaint, and W means warrant, followed by the year and court code.
To search felony records through the courts portal, you need the following:
- Full name of the defendant
- County where the case was filed
- Indictment or docket number if available
- SBI number for state police records
You can also search in person at any Superior Court clerk office in New Jersey. Go to the county where the case was filed. Staff can help you find felony records and make copies. Most clerks charge $0.05 per page for letter size and $0.07 for legal size. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus copy fees. For a full criminal history check through the state police, schedule fingerprinting through IDEMIA at 1-877-503-5981.
Types of Felony Records in New Jersey
New Jersey classifies serious crimes as indictable offenses rather than felonies. There are four degrees. First degree crimes carry 10 to 20 years in prison. Second degree crimes carry 5 to 10 years. Third degree crimes bring 3 to 5 years. Fourth degree offenses carry up to 18 months. All indictable offenses are prosecuted in Superior Court and create felony records that become part of the public record in New Jersey.
Felony records in New Jersey contain detailed case information. The indictment is the formal charge document from a grand jury. Plea agreements show what the defendant agreed to. Trial transcripts record everything said in court. The judgment of conviction is the final order from the judge. Sentencing orders detail prison time, fines, probation terms, and other penalties. All these documents are part of the criminal case file at the Superior Court clerk's office.
A typical felony record in New Jersey includes:
- Full legal name and known aliases of the defendant
- Date of birth and physical description
- Arrest date, time, and arresting agency
- Charges filed and statutes cited
- Case disposition and sentencing details
- Probation or parole status
Court case files may also contain motions, evidence lists, bail documents, and pretrial service reports. These show the full history of the felony case in New Jersey.
New Jersey Felony Records and Public Access
Felony records are generally public in New Jersey. Under the Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.), citizens have the right to access government records including criminal case files. OPRA replaced the old Right to Know Law and took effect on July 7, 2002. You do not have to be a party to the case to request felony records. The records are available to anyone who submits a proper request.
Some restrictions apply. Certain felony records may not be available for public inspection. Active criminal investigation records are exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1. Juvenile records are sealed under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60. Expunged records are removed under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1. Records sealed by court order are not accessible. Daniel's Law (N.J.S.A. 47:1B-1) protects personal information of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers.
To file an OPRA request, submit a written request to the custodian of records at the agency holding the felony records. Each county office, court, and law enforcement agency has its own custodian. The custodian must respond within seven business days under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5. Standard copy fees are $0.05 per letter page and $0.07 per legal page. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Government Records Council at 866-850-0511 or file in Superior Court.
Felony Record Expungement in New Jersey
New Jersey law allows certain felony records to be expunged. Expungement means the extraction, sealing, and isolation of all records related to an arrest, trial, or conviction as defined under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1. This includes complaints, warrants, fingerprints, photographs, rap sheets, and judicial docket records. Expunged felony records still exist but are separated from public access.
For indictable offenses, the standard waiting period is 10 years from the most recent conviction, payment of all fines, and completion of probation or parole under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2. An early pathway allows expungement after 5 years with compelling reasons. Not all felony records can be expunged. Criminal homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual assault, first or second degree robbery, arson, and terrorism convictions are permanently ineligible in New Jersey.
New Jersey also has an automated Clean Slate process under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.4. The state is developing a system to automatically render certain convictions inaccessible after 10 years. This applies to persons who have completed all sentences, paid all fines, and have no convictions for non-expungeable crimes. You can check the status of an expungement petition through the Expungement Status Portal maintained by the New Jersey State Police.
New Jersey Corrections and Offender Search
The New Jersey Department of Corrections maintains an Offender Search Engine that provides public access to information about offenders in state custody. This covers inmates in state prisons, residential community programs, work release, and furlough programs. You can search by name, SBI number, or physical description.
Search results include the offender's full name, aliases, physical description, current facility, admission date, parole eligibility date, and offense details. Information is updated on a biweekly basis. Offenders are removed from the site one year after completion of their custodial term, except those sentenced to Community Supervision for Life or Parole Supervision for Life. The New Jersey State Parole Board handles information requests for paroled offenders. Contact them at NJSPB_Public_Info_Office@spb.state.nj.us or submit an OPRA request.
The New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry allows free public access to search registered sex offenders by name or location under N.J.S.A. 2C:7-12. Tier 3 high risk and Tier 2 moderate risk offenders appear on the registry. Tier 1 low risk offenders are excluded from the public site. The registry is not a complete list of every sex offender in New Jersey.
Criminal History Checks in New Jersey
Getting a criminal history check in New Jersey requires fingerprinting. The state police use fingerprint-based checks to provide accurate felony records. Schedule an appointment through IDEMIA IdentoGO online or by calling 1-877-503-5981. Bring valid photo ID with your current address. The fee is $45.73, payable by credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
After fingerprinting, access your Personal Record Request letter within 24 to 72 hours at the NJSP website. You must download it within 90 days or repeat the process. If a criminal history exists, full disclosure is mailed to your address. If no record exists, an official letter is available for download. Contact the Criminal Information Unit at (609) 882-2000 ext. 2302 or CIU@njsp.gov if you do not receive results within 10 working days.
The NJ Attorney General's Office also handles public records requests through its own OPRA custodians. The Division of Criminal Justice can be reached at 609-984-6500 or DCJ.Records@njdcj.org. Standard response time is 7 business days, with 14 days for commercial requests.
Note: Under New Jersey law, only subjects of records and authorized persons may receive criminal history records from the State Police.
New Jersey Parole and Felony Records
The Earn Your Way Out Act (N.J.S.A. 30:4-123.55b) took effect on February 1, 2021. It allows eligible incarcerated persons to receive administrative parole release at their primary or subsequent parole eligibility date. Exclusions apply for sex offenses, No Early Release Act crimes, Graves Act crimes, and Sexually Violent Predator Act cases. Offenders must also have no serious disciplinary infractions within the prior two years and must complete relevant rehabilitation programs.
Parole records can be requested through the State Parole Board. For anonymous tips regarding parolees or parole absconders, email SPB-Fugitive-Tip-Submit@spb.nj.gov. The parole board's OPRA request form is available at the official parole website. Felony records related to parole decisions, violations, and revocations are maintained separately from court records in New Jersey.
Browse New Jersey Felony Records by County
Each county in New Jersey has its own Superior Court that keeps felony records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for criminal records in that area.
Felony Records in Major New Jersey Cities
Residents of major cities can access felony records at their county Superior Court. Pick a city below to learn about criminal records in that area.