Passaic County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Passaic County?

Public records in Passaic 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), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq. These records document official government business and are maintained by various county departments and agencies for public transparency and accountability.

Passaic County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Passaic County Superior Court
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Passaic County Clerk's Office
• Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates (with access restrictions) maintained by the Passaic County Clerk
• 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 county commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with statutory exemptions), and jail records
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and development applications

The Passaic County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized records are maintained by their respective departments, such as the Passaic County Surrogate's Court for probate matters and the Passaic County Tax Board for tax assessment records.

Is Passaic County an Open Records County?

Passaic County fully complies with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., which establishes the state's framework for public access to government records. Under this law, all government records are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute, executive order, court rule, or federal law.

N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 explicitly 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."

Passaic County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with OPRA. The county maintains an OPRA Request Portal where citizens can submit formal requests electronically. Additionally, the county adheres to the state's "Sunshine Law" (Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. § 10:4-6 et seq.), which requires public bodies to conduct their business in open, publicly accessible meetings.

The county has designated Records Custodians within each department who are responsible for responding to OPRA requests within the statutorily mandated seven business days, unless an extension is warranted due to the nature or volume of the request.

How to Find Public Records in Passaic County in 2026

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

1. Submit an OPRA Request: The most comprehensive method is to submit a formal OPRA request through the Passaic County OPRA Request Portal. Requestors may also submit requests in person, by mail, or by fax to the appropriate department.

2. Visit the Appropriate Office: Many records are available for in-person inspection at the relevant county office:

   Passaic County Clerk's Office
   401 Grand Street, Room 130
   Paterson, NJ 07505
   973-881-4788
   Passaic County Clerk

3. Search Online Databases: Passaic County provides several online resources for public records:

   • Court records through the New Jersey Courts public access portal
   • Property records through the NJ Transparency Center
   • Criminal case information via the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system

4. Contact the Records Custodian: Each department has a designated Records Custodian who can provide guidance on locating specific records:

   Passaic County Administration Building
   401 Grand Street
   Paterson, NJ 07505
   973-881-4000
   Passaic County Government

5. Check the County Website: The Passaic County website contains many publicly available documents, including meeting minutes, budgets, and reports.

For court-specific records, the Passaic Vicinage of the New Jersey Superior Court maintains records for cases filed within the county judicial system.

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

Passaic 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 public records. The current standard fees are:

• Paper Copies:

  • $0.05 per letter-size page (8.5" x 11")
  • $0.07 per legal-size page (8.5" x 14")

• Electronic Records:

  • No charge when records are transmitted electronically
  • Actual cost of the storage medium (CD, DVD, flash drive) if physical media is required

• Special Service Charges: May apply for extraordinary requests requiring extensive use of technology, staff time, or other resources. These charges must be reasonable and based on the actual direct cost of providing the records.

• Specialized Records:

  • Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $10.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
  • Property recordings: Vary based on document type and page count as established by N.J.S.A. § 22A:2-29
  • Maps and large format documents: Actual cost of reproduction

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit cards (for certain departments and online services). Payment must be made before records are released.

The county cannot charge for the cost of research, redaction, or retrieval of records under normal circumstances. Additionally, pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(b), "A custodian shall permit access to a government record and provide a copy thereof in the medium requested if the public agency maintains the record in that medium."

Does Passaic County Have Free Public Records?

Passaic County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost:

• In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(a), all public records must be available for inspection during regular business hours at no charge. Citizens may visit the appropriate county office to view records without paying any fees.

• Online Resources: The county provides free access to numerous records through its online platforms:

  • Passaic County Board of Commissioners meeting agendas and minutes
  • County budgets and financial reports
  • Election results

• Court Records: Basic case information is available at no cost through the New Jersey Courts public access portal.

• Property Information: Limited property assessment data is accessible through the NJ Transparency Center.

• Electronic Delivery: When records are maintained electronically and can be emailed, no fees are charged for the transmission of these records under OPRA.

The Passaic County Library System also provides public access computers where residents can access online county records at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Passaic County?

Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, any person may request access to government records in Passaic County, regardless of citizenship or residency status. The statute defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, associations, and other legal entities.

Key eligibility considerations include:

• No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be residents of Passaic County or New Jersey to submit OPRA requests.

• Identification Requirements: While basic contact information is required on OPRA request forms, requestors are not generally required to provide identification or state the reason for their request. However, pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(f), a custodian may require a requestor to provide personal identification when the request is for government records containing personal information.

• Anonymous Requests: Anonymous requests are permitted, though providing contact information is necessary for the county to respond.

• Special Considerations for Certain Records:

  • Vital Records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Access is restricted to individuals with a direct interest in the record, such as the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives, as governed by N.J.S.A. § 26:8-62.
  • Criminal Records: While basic information is public, detailed criminal history information may require specific authorization.
  • Voter Registration Records: Commercial use of these records is prohibited under N.J.S.A. § 19:31-18.1.

• Commercial Use: OPRA does not restrict access based on the intended use of the records, including commercial purposes, with limited exceptions for certain categories of records.

• Incarcerated Individuals: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-2.2, persons incarcerated in state, county, or federal facilities may be denied access to certain records related to their incarceration.

What Records Are Confidential in Passaic County?

While Passaic County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1, and other applicable laws. These confidential records include:

• Personal Information: Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, unlisted telephone numbers, and drivers' license numbers

• Medical Records: Patient records and information protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

• Criminal Investigatory Records: Records pertaining to ongoing investigations that are not required by law to be made, maintained, or kept on file

• Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors, as protected by N.J.S.A. § 2A:4A-60

• Domestic Violence Records: Information that would reveal the location of domestic violence victims or shelters

• Personnel and Pension Records: Employee personnel files, though certain basic information (title, salary, date of separation) remains public

• Attorney-Client Privileged Materials: Communications between the county and its legal counsel

• Deliberative Process Materials: Pre-decisional records that reflect the deliberative processes of government officials

• Emergency or Security Information: Records that would jeopardize building, facility, or computer system security

• Inter-agency or Intra-agency Advisory Consultative or Deliberative Material: Documents used in the deliberative process

• Trade Secrets and Proprietary Commercial Information: Confidential business information submitted to the county

• Certain Educational Records: Student records protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

• Child Abuse Records: Information maintained by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, as protected by N.J.S.A. § 9:6-8.10a

• Grand Jury Records: Proceedings and testimony before grand juries

The determination of whether a record is exempt often involves a balancing test weighing the public's right to access against privacy interests or other protected concerns, as established in Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408 (2009).

Passaic County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Passaic County Clerk's Office
401 Grand Street, Room 130
Paterson, NJ 07505
973-881-4788
Passaic County Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Extended Hours: Wednesday until 7:00 PM (Recording Division only)
Closed on Weekends and County Holidays

Recording Division Services:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, and liens
• Property record searches
• Trade name certificates
• Veteran discharge recordings
• Notary public services

Additional Locations:

Passaic County Clerk's Satellite Office - Wanaque
Wanaque Borough Hall
579 Ringwood Avenue
Wanaque, NJ 07465
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Passaic County Clerk's Satellite Office - Clifton
Clifton City Hall
900 Clifton Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

For court records not maintained by the County Clerk, contact:

Passaic County Superior Court
77 Hamilton Street
Paterson, NJ 07505
973-247-8600
Passaic Vicinage

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