Arrest records are public in Bergen County, New Jersey, pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by citizens of New Jersey, with certain exceptions as prescribed by law. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental interests, including:
The Bergen County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, which requires custodians of government records to provide prompt access to such materials. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, such as social security numbers, unlisted telephone numbers, and driver's license numbers.
Bergen County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The New Jersey Courts electronic case management system provides public access to criminal case information, including arrest data. Additionally, the Bergen County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records that may be accessed through their official website.
Online accessibility is governed by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g), which states that "a custodian shall permit access to a government record and provide a copy thereof in the medium requested." This provision has been interpreted to include electronic access where such capabilities exist. The following online resources are available to the public:
Users should note that pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:59-1.1 et seq., certain limitations apply to the dissemination of criminal history record information through electronic means.
Members of the public seeking Bergen County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods include:
In-Person Requests:
Electronic Requests:
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(f), custodians of records may charge a reasonable fee for reproduction costs. Current fee schedules are available at each respective agency. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record location, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
Bergen County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by N.J.A.C. 13:74-1.1 et seq., which establishes uniform reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey. These records typically include:
The New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit maintains the central repository for all criminal history record information in the state, including arrest data from Bergen County. This information is collected pursuant to N.J.S.A. 53:1-20.5, which requires law enforcement agencies to report arrest information to the state repository within a specified timeframe.
It should be noted that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and may not be included in publicly accessible arrest records.
The expungement process in Bergen County allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County Vicinage, located at Justice Center, 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The expungement process requires submission of the following documents:
Upon granting of an expungement order, all records related to the arrest are removed from public access and sealed. Law enforcement agencies, including the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, are required to remove such records from their publicly accessible databases pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-15.