Camden Probate Court Records
Camden probate court records are handled by the Camden County Surrogate's Court. Camden is the county seat of Camden County, which was formed in 1844 from parts of Gloucester County. The Surrogate maintains a satellite office in the city for local access. Residents who need to file a will for probate or search for estate records can use either the Camden location or the main office in Blackwood. Searching probate court records in Camden starts with a phone call to the Surrogate at (856) 225-7282. Staff can look up files and explain the process.
Camden Quick Facts
Camden County Surrogate for Camden
The Camden County Surrogate is Michelle Gentek-Mayer. Her office manages all probate court records for Camden and every other town in the county. The main office is at 509 Lakeland Road, Blackwood, NJ. A satellite location sits at the Camden City Hall of Justice, 101 South 5th Street, Camden, NJ 08103. Both offices accept probate filings. Call (856) 225-7282 to set up an appointment before you visit either location.
All in-person visits require an appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted at the Camden satellite or the Blackwood office. You can also mail documents or place them in the Purple Drop Box at the main office. These options work well if you cannot schedule a visit. The Surrogate's staff processes probate court records the same way no matter which method you use.
| Court | Camden County Surrogate's Court |
|---|---|
| Surrogate | Michelle Gentek-Mayer |
| Camden Office | 101 South 5th Street Camden, NJ 08103 |
| Main Office | 509 Lakeland Road Blackwood, NJ |
| Phone | (856) 225-7282 |
| Website | camdencounty.com/service/surrogate-court |
Note: Documents are not issued the same day at the Camden satellite location. Probate court records processed at the Camden City Hall of Justice are sent to you by mail.
Camden City Hall and Local Records
Camden City Hall is at 520 Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102. This is the main building for city government. It handles local permits, vital records, and tax matters. Probate court records are not filed here. Those go through the Surrogate's office.
The city website has details on all departments and services. Visit the City of Camden official website for contact information and office hours.
Below is a view of the City of Camden official website.
The site lists city departments and services, though probate court records for Camden are managed at the county level.
Probate Court Records Fees in Camden
The Camden County Surrogate charges set fees for probate filings. These rates apply at both the Camden satellite and the Blackwood main office. Fees follow state guidelines but can change. Always confirm with the office before you file probate court records in Camden.
Common fees for probate court records in Camden include:
- Probate of a will: $100 for up to two pages, $5 per extra page
- Letters of administration: $125
- Short certificates: $5 each
- Filing a complaint or accounting: $175
These fees cover the standard filings that most Camden residents need. Short certificates are often required by banks and title companies to prove that an executor or administrator has the legal right to act. You may need several copies. Each one costs $5 from the Camden County Surrogate. If you plan to file probate court records in Camden, bring payment in the form the office accepts. Call ahead at (856) 225-7282 to ask about payment methods.
E-Filing Probate Records in Camden
Camden County offers e-filing for attorneys. This lets lawyers submit probate court records through an online system. It saves time and avoids the need to mail or hand-deliver papers. Only licensed attorneys can use this option. If you are not an attorney, you must use the mail, drop box, or in-person appointment method for probate filings in Camden.
E-filing works well for routine probate tasks. An attorney can submit a will for probate, file an accounting, or request short certificates without visiting the office. The system processes filings for all of Camden County. Contact the Surrogate's office for setup details if you are an attorney who handles probate court records in Camden.
Camden Municipal Court Records
Camden has a municipal court that handles local matters like traffic cases and ordinance violations. This court does not deal with probate court records. Estate filings, wills, and administration cases all go through the Camden County Surrogate instead. The municipal court is a separate body with its own staff and schedule.
Below is a view of the Camden Municipal Court page.
If you need probate court records in Camden, contact the Surrogate's office rather than the municipal court.
Historical Probate Court Records in Camden
Camden County was formed on March 13, 1844. Probate court records for the area go back to that date. Any estate files from before 1844 belong to Gloucester County, since Camden was carved from it. If your search leads to a year before the split, check Gloucester County probate records.
The New Jersey State Archives holds older probate court records from Camden County. Their collection includes will books from 1844 to 1920, orphans court minutes from 1844 to 1902, and administration bonds from 1861 to 1902. Researchers and family members use these files to trace estates and find old wills tied to Camden. The archives are in Trenton, and some indexes are available online.
Note: Probate court records filed before March 13, 1844, for the Camden area are held in Gloucester County.
Probate Statutes for Camden Residents
Probate court records in Camden follow New Jersey state law. N.J.S.A. 3B:3-22 covers the execution of wills. It sets the rules for signing and witnessing. N.J.S.A. 3B:3-19 defines who has the legal capacity to make a will. Both statutes govern every probate filing in Camden County.
When someone dies without a will in Camden, the estate goes through administration. N.J.S.A. 3B:10-1 controls who may serve as administrator. Sections 3B:10-3 and 3B:10-4 rank the priority of applicants. A surviving spouse comes first. Then adult children. The Camden County Surrogate follows this order when she issues letters of administration. You can read these statutes on the New Jersey Legislature website.
How to Search Probate Court Records in Camden
Call the Camden County Surrogate at (856) 225-7282. Give them the name and any dates you have. Staff can search their files and tell you what probate court records exist. Recent records are at the Surrogate's office. Older files may be at the State Archives in Trenton.
You can also check the New Jersey Courts website for general filing forms and guides. The site has links to all county surrogates and standard probate forms used across the state. This helps Camden residents prepare their paperwork before they schedule an appointment with the Surrogate's office.
For online research, the State Archives has a database portal with indexes for Camden County probate court records. Not everything is digitized. But the index helps you find specific files before you visit. This saves time for people searching probate court records tied to Camden estates.
Camden County Probate Court Records
Camden is the county seat of Camden County. All probate filings go through the Camden County Surrogate's Court. The county office handles cases for every municipality in the area. For more on the surrogate, full fee lists, historical records, and other resources, visit the Camden County probate court records page.