Free links to official New Jersey state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 21 counties.
How to Search New Jersey Criminal Records (Start Here)
New Jersey criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: New Jersey state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Superior Court Clerk (state-run, by vicinage) in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: New Jersey repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official New Jersey State Police - SBI publisher on review date. 5 primary .gov sources cited below.
New Jersey Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
NJSP SBI; Office of Student Protection conducts checks for NJ schools. SBI 212B form for entity-based checks.
$30
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Online 212A form (non-cr
Primary method
How to submit
New Jersey State Police
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
N.J.S.A. §53:1
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What's in a state criminal check (typical %)
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.
What Changed in 2026 — New Jersey Criminal Records
2026
New Jersey state-only check active
The New Jersey State Police - SBI continues to process state criminal history checks via www.njportal.com.
For most non-employment uses, a New Jersey state-only check from the New Jersey State Police - SBI is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
Online 212A form (non-criminal justice purposes). Current fee: $30.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at www.njportal.com — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.
Five Things People Get Wrong About New Jersey Criminal Records
❌ Myth: "New Jersey background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The New Jersey State Police - SBI check covers ONLY New Jersey arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only www.njportal.com (the official New Jersey repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under New Jersey law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most New Jersey public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The New Jersey state check shows New Jersey-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
Mission: To provide overall administrative support to Burlington County Department of Corrections, which enforce judicial sanctions for inmates in a safe, humane environment.
BE SURE YOU HAVE READ THIS PAGE FIRST BEFORE CLICKING THE LINK BELOW! The following web page is a daily listing of all the inmates assigned to the custody of the Cape May County Correctional Center. The list is updated once per day Monday through Friday excluding holidays.
Certain records are not available for public inspection in accordance with statutes and the Rules of Court Governing the State of New Jersey Judiciary. Confidential records and information will not be returned in your search results. Common examples of criminal confidential records include, ...
The New Jersey State Police frequently receives inquiries from government, business, and citizens on the regulations and procedures for obtaining an individual's criminal history record. This web site has been developed to assist you in answering the most common questions asked about this process.
The purpose of the Offender Search Web Page is to promote public safety and welfare while providing community access to selected offender information, consistent with the spirit and intent of the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA). The New Jersey Department of Corrections updates this information on a biweekly basis to ensure that it is complete and accurate as possible.
In January 2020, The County of Hunterdon contracted with the Warren County Department of Corrections to house all Hunterdon County Inmates. The Warren County Correctional Center is located at: 175 County Route 519 South Belvidere, New Jersey 07823-1950
The purpose of the Offender Search Web Page is to promote public safety and welfare while providing community access to selected offender information, consistent with the spirit and intent of the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA). The New Jersey Department of Corrections updates this ...
The individual named in this notification is a convicted sex offender . As required by New Jersey Megans Law, you have received this notification from law enforcement because this individual resides in your area. Use this information to assist you in protecting your family, employees, and those ...
Parole Counselors make sure inmates understand the parole process, and that all necessary documents and information are in place to allow parole hearings to take place. Under New Jersey law, an inmate becomes eligible for parole consideration after serving one-third of his or her prison sentence , ...
ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY USERS OF THIS SITE WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL BE USED ONLY FOR VINE SERVICES, INCLUDING NOTIFICATION PURPOSES. The VINE service representatives may contact you from time to time to ask about your experience with the VINELink site and our VINE services.
This site is maintained by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on behalf of the Federal Judiciary. PACER Service Center (800) 676-6856 pacer@psc.uscourts.gov
How do I run an official New Jersey background check?▼
New Jersey's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the New Jersey State Police - SBI. Begin the request at www.njportal.com. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by New Jersey statute.
Are New Jersey criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in New Jersey is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The New Jersey State Police - SBI explains who can request what at www.njportal.com. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in New Jersey?▼
A state check from the New Jersey State Police - SBI (www.njportal.com) covers only criminal activity within New Jersey. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's New Jersey criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the New Jersey State Police - SBI. The New Jersey State Police - SBI documentation at www.njportal.com lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a New Jersey criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your New Jersey criminal history, the New Jersey State Police - SBI offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at www.njportal.com — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.
