Cape May County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Cape May County?
Public records in Cape May County are official documents, files, and information created, maintained, or received by government agencies in the course of their official business. According to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., public records include any document "made, maintained or kept on file in the course of official business by any officer, commission, agency, or authority of the State or of any political subdivision thereof."
Cape May County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate case files maintained by the Cape May County Superior Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments recorded by the Cape May County Clerk's Office
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates (with access restrictions)
- 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 certain privacy restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and development applications
The Cape May County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, particularly those related to land transactions, business filings, and election information. The county's land records public search system provides online access to property records dating back to 1996.
Is Cape May County an Open Records County?
Cape May County fully complies with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. The statute explicitly states that "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."
Under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, Cape May County agencies must respond to public records requests within seven business days. The law further mandates that "a custodian of a government record shall permit the record to be inspected, examined, and copied by any person during regular business hours."
Cape May County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains a Consolidated Records Search system known as PRESS (Public Records Electronic Search System), which represents a collaborative effort between the County Clerk's Office and other county departments to enhance public access to records.
Additionally, Cape May County adheres to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. § 10:4-6 et seq., commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and properly noticed.
How to Find Public Records in Cape May County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Cape May County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Online Access: The county maintains several electronic portals for public records:
- The Land Records Public Search system provides access to property records
- The Cape May County Clerk's Public Search portal offers searchable databases of recorded documents
- The Consolidated Records Search system (PRESS) allows searching across multiple county departments
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For property records, business filings, and election information, visit the County Clerk's Office
- For court records, visit the Superior Court
- For tax records, contact the Tax Assessor's Office
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Written Requests: Submit an OPRA request form to the specific agency that maintains the desired records. The form should include:
- Requestor's name, address, and contact information
- Clear description of the records sought
- Preferred delivery method (inspection, copies, electronic format)
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Records Request Submission: Cape May County accepts OPRA requests through several channels:
- In person at the relevant department
- By mail to the records custodian
- By fax or email (where available)
- Through the county's online request portal (for participating departments)
When requesting records, it is advisable to be as specific as possible about the information sought. Vague requests may result in delays or denials. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(g), the custodian must provide access or deny the request within seven business days.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cape May County?
Cape May County follows the fee structure established by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(b), which sets standard rates for copies of government records:
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Paper Copies:
- Letter size (8.5" x 11"): $0.05 per page
- Legal size (8.5" x 14"): $0.07 per page
- Electronic records sent via email: No charge (except for extraordinary circumstances)
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Special Document Fees:
- Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 for first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
- Land records: $10.00 for first page, $2.00 for each additional page
- Maps and large format documents: Actual cost of reproduction
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Special Service Charges: For requests requiring extraordinary time or effort, additional fees may apply based on the actual direct cost of providing the records, including personnel time. The county must provide an estimate of these charges before proceeding.
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Payment Methods: The county accepts the following forms of payment:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Check or money order
- Credit/debit cards (for certain departments and online services)
According to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(c), "Access to electronic records and non-printed materials shall be provided free of charge, but the public agency may charge for the actual costs of any needed supplies such as computer discs."
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly for requests that serve the public interest. News media organizations, researchers, and non-profit groups may qualify for reduced or waived fees under specific conditions.
Does Cape May County Have Free Public Records?
Cape May County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act. The following free services are available:
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Free Inspection: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(a), all government records must be available for inspection during regular business hours at no charge. Members of the public may examine records without paying fees, provided they do not disrupt agency operations.
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Free Online Resources:
- The Cape May County Consolidated Records Search (PRESS) system offers free searching of various county records
- The Land Records Public Search portal provides free access to property records dating back to 1996
- The County Clerk's Public Search system allows free searching of recorded documents
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Free Electronic Delivery: When records exist in electronic format, the county typically provides them via email at no charge, as required by N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(b).
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Public Access Computers: The County Clerk's Office and certain other departments maintain public terminals where visitors can search electronic records at no cost.
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Meeting Minutes and Agendas: These documents are typically available for free on the county website or through the County Clerk's Office.
While inspection and certain electronic access are free, fees may still apply for physical copies, certified documents, or requests requiring extensive staff time or resources as outlined in the previous section.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cape May County?
Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, public records in Cape May County are accessible to any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status. The statute specifically states that government records "shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this State," but in practice, this right extends to all requestors.
Key eligibility considerations include:
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No Residency Requirement: Non-residents of Cape May County or New Jersey may request public records
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No Purpose Statement Required: Requestors generally do not need to explain why they want the records or how they will use them
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Identification Requirements: While basic contact information is required on request forms, formal identification is typically only needed for:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Records with specific statutory access restrictions
- Certified copies of documents
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Anonymous Requests: Anonymous requests are permitted for certain records, though providing contact information is necessary if copies are to be mailed or if fees apply
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Requesting Records About Oneself vs. Others: Special considerations apply when requesting:
- Personal vital records (proof of identity and relationship required)
- Criminal history information (subject to Criminal History Record Information Act)
- Medical or personnel records (subject to heightened privacy protections)
According to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-2.2, certain individuals, such as victims of domestic violence or law enforcement officers, may request that their personal information be redacted from public records under specific circumstances.
Commercial entities may request public records, though bulk requests for commercial purposes may be subject to special service charges if they require extraordinary time or effort to fulfill.
What Records Are Confidential in Cape May County?
While Cape May 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, which states that government records shall not include specific categories of information. Confidential records include:
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Court Records:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Family court records involving minors
- Grand jury proceedings and materials
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Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Unlisted telephone numbers
- Drivers' license numbers
- Personal financial information
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Criminal investigatory records
- Victim information in criminal cases
- Information that would jeopardize security measures
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
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Medical and Health Information:
- Individual medical, psychiatric, or psychological history
- Records protected under HIPAA
- Substance abuse treatment records
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Personnel and Pension Records:
- Employee personnel files (with limited exceptions)
- Performance evaluations
- Grievance materials
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Other Protected Records:
- Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Deliberative process materials (pre-decisional)
- Emergency or security information that could jeopardize public safety
- Computer security information
N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-9 further incorporates exemptions from other state and federal laws, regulations, executive orders, and court rules. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(g).
The county applies a balancing test in certain cases, 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).
Cape May County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Cape May County Clerk's Office
7 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
(609) 465-1010
Cape May County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays
Document Recording Division
7 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
(609) 465-1010
Document Recording
Cape May County Surrogate's Office
4 Moore Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
(609) 463-6666
Cape May County Surrogate
Cape May County Tax Board
4 Moore Road, DN 302
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
(609) 465-1030
Cape May County Tax Board
Cape May County Superior Court
9 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
(609) 463-6500
Cape May County Superior Court