Salem County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Salem County?

Public records in Salem County are government-generated or government-maintained documents that are available for inspection and copying by members of the public under New Jersey law. Under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) defines a government record as any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photograph, film, sound recording, magnetic or other medium, or other like document or instrument made, maintained, or kept on file in connection with the transaction of public business by any public agency.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained by Salem County government offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Salem Vicinage
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers are recorded and searchable through the Salem County Clerk's online records portal
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are held by the Salem County Surrogate's Court and local municipal registrars
Business records — Trade name registrations, business licenses, and fictitious name filings are maintained by the County Clerk's Office
Tax records — Property tax assessments and payment histories are maintained by the Salem County Board of Taxation
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Salem County Clerk, who also serves as the County's election authority
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions are published through the Salem County government website
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audit reports, and financial statements are available through the County Administrator's Office
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, may be requested through the relevant municipal police department or the Salem County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Subdivision approvals, zoning permits, and planning board decisions are maintained by individual municipal offices and the County Planning Department

Is Salem County an Open Records County?

Salem County fully complies with New Jersey's statewide open records framework, making it an open records county. Under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, the Legislature declared that government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of New Jersey, with certain exceptions, for the protection of the public interest. This statute establishes a strong presumption of openness: any record not specifically exempted by law is presumed to be a public record subject to disclosure.

Key provisions of OPRA that apply to Salem County include:

Government agencies must respond to a records request within seven business days of receipt
Custodians of records must acknowledge receipt of a request and either provide the records, deny the request with a legal basis, or request an extension
Requestors who are denied access may file a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC) or seek relief in Superior Court

Salem County's OPRA custodian is currently Sharon Whittick, and the county maintains a dedicated OPRA request page where members of the public may download and submit the official request form. New Jersey's Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. § 10:4-6) further requires that all public body meetings be open to the public, with advance notice provided, reinforcing the county's commitment to government transparency.

How to Find Public Records in Salem County in 2026

Members of the public may access Salem County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

Step 1 — Identify the correct custodian. Determine which county office maintains the record. Property and land records are held by the County Clerk; vital records such as death certificates are held by the Surrogate's Court; court case records are maintained by the Superior Court.

Step 2 — Search online portals first. Many records are available without a formal request. The County Clerk's office provides a searchable database of verified property documents. Court case information, including civil and criminal matters, may be searched through the New Jersey Courts case search system.

Step 3 — Submit an OPRA request. For records not available online, members of the public must complete the official OPRA Request Form, available on the county's OPRA page. The completed form may be submitted by mail, fax, email, or in person to the OPRA custodian.

Step 4 — Await the agency response. The custodian must respond within seven business days. If the request is granted, the requestor will be notified of any applicable fees before copies are produced.

Step 5 — Appeal a denial if necessary. If a request is denied, the requestor may appeal to the Government Records Council or file a complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey.

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

Current fees for public records in Salem County are governed by OPRA and the fee schedule established by the New Jersey Legislature. Standard fees currently in effect include:

Letter-size copies (8.5" x 11"): $0.05 per page
Legal-size copies (8.5" x 14"): $0.07 per page
Larger-format documents: Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic records: No charge for records transmitted electronically, unless special programming is required
Certified copies of vital records (e.g., death certificates): Fees are set by statute and are currently $25.00 for the first copy and $2.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order made payable to the relevant county office. Under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, a government agency may not charge a fee for the inspection of a public record — fees apply only to the duplication of records. Fee waivers are not broadly available under OPRA, though agencies retain discretion in individual circumstances.

Does Salem County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under New Jersey law. OPRA expressly prohibits agencies from charging for the mere inspection of a government record; fees are assessed only when copies are requested.

The following free resources are currently available through official government channels:

Property and land records — Members of the public may search and view verified deed, mortgage, and lien documents at no cost through the Salem County Clerk's online records database
Court case information — Basic case status, docket entries, and written opinions may be searched at no charge through the New Jersey Courts public access portal
County government documents — Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and resolutions are published at no cost on the official Salem County government website
Surrogate's Court records — Information regarding estate proceedings and probate matters may be reviewed in person at the Surrogate's Court without charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Salem County?

Any person may request access to public records maintained by Salem County government agencies. Under OPRA, there is no residency requirement — non-residents of New Jersey hold the same right of access as residents. Requestors are generally not required to:

Provide government-issued identification
State the purpose for which the records are sought
Demonstrate a personal interest in the records

However, certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Requestors seeking their own records — such as personal court files or vital records — may be required to provide proof of identity or legal standing. Third parties seeking another individual's vital records, such as a birth or death certificate, must demonstrate an authorized relationship as defined by New Jersey statute. Adoption records, juvenile records, and sealed court files require a court order for access regardless of the requestor's identity. Personnel records maintained by county agencies are subject to partial disclosure rules, with certain information redacted prior to release.

What Records Are Confidential in Salem County?

Not all government documents maintained by Salem County are subject to public disclosure. OPRA enumerates specific categories of exempt records, and additional exemptions exist under federal law and other New Jersey statutes. The following records are currently withheld from public access:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible without a court directive
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are confidential under New Jersey law
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Law enforcement records that, if disclosed, would jeopardize an active investigation are exempt
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
Medical and health records — Protected under both HIPAA and state law
Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential by the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency
Personnel records — Home addresses, personal telephone numbers, and certain employment information of public employees are exempt
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies in confidence
Security and infrastructure plans — Documents detailing vulnerabilities of public facilities or critical infrastructure

Under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-9, any exemption from disclosure must be construed in favor of public access, and the burden of proving that a record is exempt rests with the government agency asserting the exemption. Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the agency is required to redact only the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Salem County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Salem County Clerk serves as the official recorder of deeds and public documents for the county. The office maintains property records, land instruments, business filings, and election records. Members of the public may visit the office in person during regular business hours or submit requests by mail or through the county's online portal.

Salem County Clerk's Office 92 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079 (856) 935-7510 ext. 8218 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Salem County Clerk — Online Records Search

Salem County Surrogate's Court 92 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079 (856) 935-7510 ext. 8300 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Salem County Surrogate's Court — Death Certificates

Salem County Board of Commissioners (OPRA Custodian) 92 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079 (856) 935-7510 ext. 8108 (OPRA Custodian: Sharon Whittick) Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Salem County OPRA Request Portal

Superior Court of New Jersey — Salem Vicinage 92 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079 (856) 878-5050 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. New Jersey Courts — Find a Case