New Jersey Criminal History Search
New Jersey criminal history records are kept by the State Police and by county courts across all 21 counties. These records show arrests, charges, court outcomes, and sentences tied to a person's criminal past. The New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit serves as the main state source for criminal history data. You can search criminal records through state online tools, by mail, or in person at local courthouses. County courts in New Jersey also hold case files for crimes charged in their area.
New Jersey Criminal History Quick Facts
New Jersey State Police Criminal Records
The New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit is the main state agency that holds criminal history records. This unit keeps a file on each person who has been arrested and fingerprinted in New Jersey. The file tracks each arrest, the charges, the court case, and the final outcome. Under N.J.A.C. 13:59-1, the State Police are authorized to share criminal history record information with approved agencies and with the public through set channels. The Criminal Information Unit is based at P.O. Box 7068, West Trenton, NJ 08628. You can reach them at 609-882-2000 ext. 2302 or by email at CIU@njsp.gov.
There are two main ways to get a criminal history record check from the New Jersey State Police. The first is through Form 212A, which you can fill out online at the NJ Portal. This form costs $20.00 per check. It gives you a name-based search of the state criminal records database. Results show any criminal history tied to the name and date of birth you provide in New Jersey.
The name-based check is fast. Most results come back in days. It works for personal use or for a quick look at criminal records in New Jersey. But it is not as thorough as a fingerprint-based check.
Note: Form 212A results are not official for licensing or regulated purposes in New Jersey.
Fingerprint Criminal History Checks in New Jersey
A fingerprint-based criminal history check is more thorough than a name search. It links your prints to arrest records held by the New Jersey State Police and the FBI. This check is required for many state licenses, school staff, and other roles that involve trust. Under N.J.S.A. 53:1-20.5, the State Police can run fingerprint checks for a wide range of purposes set by law.
To get fingerprinted, you must schedule a visit through IdentoGO, the state's approved vendor. You can book online or call 1-877-503-5981. The total cost is $45.73. That breaks down to a $30.00 state fee and a $15.73 vendor fee paid to IdentoGO. You go to a local site, give your prints, and the results go straight to the agency that asked for the check.
Fingerprint results are sent to the requesting agency in New Jersey. You do not get a copy of the results yourself in most cases. If you want to see your own criminal history record, you can submit a personal request through Form 212A or ask the State Police for a copy of your record. The Criminal History Review Unit at the Division of Consumer Affairs helps coordinate background checks for people who need them for professional licensing in New Jersey.
The Criminal History Review Unit (CHRU) at the Division of Consumer Affairs coordinates background checks for professional licensing in New Jersey. The CHRU reviews criminal history results and works with licensing boards to determine eligibility. You can visit their website or call the Division of Consumer Affairs for more information about the review process.
Note: The $45.73 fingerprint fee is set by the state and the vendor, and it may change over time.
Criminal Court Records in New Jersey
New Jersey courts are a key source for criminal history records. The court system tracks cases from the first charge through trial and any appeals. Two main tools let you search criminal court records in the state.
The PROMIS/Gavel system tracks indictable criminal cases in New Jersey. These are serious crimes like assault, theft, and drug offenses that go to the Superior Court. PROMIS/Gavel follows each case from arrest through all court events and appeals. You can search this system at the NJ Courts portal. It is free to use. You search by name or case number. Results show charge details, court dates, and case outcomes for criminal cases across New Jersey.
For less serious offenses, the Municipal Court Case Search handles traffic and disorderly persons complaints in New Jersey. These are cases that go through municipal courts rather than the Superior Court. You can look up results by name or ticket number.
The NJ Courts Find a Case tool brings these search options together in one place. It lets you look across court types for criminal history records in New Jersey. Basic case data is free to view. For deeper access to court records, the Electronic Access Program is available.
New Jersey Criminal Records Access Programs
The Electronic Access Program gives enhanced access to court records in New Jersey. It costs $4 per minute of use. Lawyers, firms, and others who need deep access to criminal case files use this tool. It shows more detail than the free public search tools. You get full docket info, hearing dates, and filed documents for criminal cases across New Jersey.
The state also runs a Parole Board offender search that lets you look up people on state parole in New Jersey. The Department of Corrections maintains a separate inmate search for people held in state prisons. Both tools are free. They show basic info like name, date of birth, and current status.
Note: The $4 per minute Electronic Access Program fee applies only to enhanced court record searches in New Jersey.
Public Access to Criminal History in New Jersey
The Open Public Records Act, or OPRA, gives you the right to request government records in New Jersey. Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, public agencies must respond to records requests within 7 business days. This law applies to criminal history records held by state and local agencies. You can file an OPRA request with any police department, court, or state office that has the records you need in New Jersey.
OPRA fees are low. Copies cost $0.05 per page for letter size and $0.07 per page for legal size paper. The OPRA information page from the state explains how to file a request. Each agency has its own OPRA form. You fill it out, describe the records you want, and submit it. The agency must give you the records or explain why they are exempt.
If an agency denies your OPRA request, you can appeal to the Government Records Council in New Jersey. The GRC reviews disputes between the public and government agencies over records access. You can reach them at 1-866-850-0511. They handle complaints about denied or delayed criminal record requests across New Jersey.
New Jersey Sex Offender Criminal Records
New Jersey maintains a sex offender registry under N.J.S.A. 2C:7-1, known as Megan's Law. This registry tracks people convicted of sex crimes in the state. The New Jersey State Police manage the list. It sorts offenders into three tiers based on risk.
- Tier 1 covers low-risk offenders whose info goes only to law enforcement
- Tier 2 covers moderate-risk offenders, and local schools and groups are told
- Tier 3 covers high-risk offenders whose info is shared with the whole community
You can search the public sex offender registry at the NJ State Police registry site. The search shows Tier 2 and Tier 3 offenders in New Jersey. It gives the person's name, photo, address, and the crime they were convicted of. Tier 1 offender data is not public. This registry is one of the most used criminal history tools in New Jersey.
Note: Only Tier 2 and Tier 3 sex offender records are open to the public in New Jersey.
Criminal Record Expungement in New Jersey
New Jersey law allows some criminal records to be erased through expungement. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1, a person can ask the court to seal their criminal history so it no longer shows up in most searches. Once a record is expunged, it is treated as if the arrest or charge never happened. The person can legally say they have no criminal record in most situations in New Jersey.
Wait times depend on the type of offense. For disorderly persons offenses, the wait is 5 years from the date of conviction, payment of fines, or end of probation. For indictable offenses, the wait ranges from 6 to 10 years. Drug crimes have their own rules. Some arrests that did not lead to a conviction can be expunged right away in New Jersey. The court reviews each case and decides whether to grant the request.
New Jersey also passed a Clean Slate law under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3. This law allows automatic expungement of certain criminal records after 10 years with no new offenses. The goal is to clear old records for people who have stayed out of trouble. The state runs the process, so the person does not have to file a petition. Clean Slate applies to a range of crimes but not to all offenses in New Jersey. Serious crimes like murder and sex offenses are not eligible.
To file for expungement on your own, you submit a petition to the Superior Court in the county where the case was heard. You must serve a copy on the county prosecutor, the State Police, and the original arresting agency. The court holds a hearing and reviews the request. If granted, the criminal history record is sealed across all state databases in New Jersey.
Criminal History Checks for New Jersey Schools
New Jersey requires criminal history background checks for all school staff. Teachers, aides, bus drivers, and volunteers who work with children must be checked. The NJ Department of Education sets the rules for these checks. Each person must get fingerprinted through IdentoGO and have the results sent to the Department of Education.
The check looks at both New Jersey State Police records and FBI records. Certain criminal convictions bar a person from working in schools. The state reviews each case. If a record shows up, the Criminal History Review Unit at the Division of Consumer Affairs works with the Department of Education to make a decision. The cost is the same $45.73 fingerprint fee that applies to all state criminal history checks in New Jersey.
Browse New Jersey Criminal Records by County
Each county in New Jersey keeps its own criminal court records at the Superior Court. Pick a county to find local criminal history resources and contact info for that area.
Criminal History Records in Major New Jersey Cities
City residents can search criminal history records through their county Superior Court. Pick a city to learn about criminal records access in that area of New Jersey.