Bergen County Small Claims (Special Civil Part, NJ): How to File
Bergen County small claims: the $5,000 limit, the $35 fee, where to file in Hackensack, how to file and case lookup. Checked 2026-10-27.
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Quick answer: In Bergen County, small claims are heard by the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court, Law Division, for lawsuits of $5,000 or less. One office serves the whole county: the Bergen County Justice Center, 10 Main Street, Room 427, Hackensack. Filing costs $35 for one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant. You can file through JEDS, by mail or in person. Special Civil Part: 201-221-0700 ext. 25250.
This independent guide covers small claims cases in Bergen County, New Jersey, filed at the Special Civil Part office in Hackensack. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.
Checked on 2026-10-27 against the New Jersey Courts website. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our New Jersey small claims guide.
Filing in Bergen County? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of the New Jersey Small Claims Complaint (CN 10532), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Bergen County small claims court: the Special Civil Part
- Court: the Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part.
- Limit: "Small claims are lawsuits for $5,000 or less." The Special Civil Part also hears lawsuits up to $20,000.
- Hearings and appeals: we couldn't confirm the hearing schedule or the appeal deadline. Ask the Special Civil Part at 201-221-0700 ext. 25250.
Which courthouse do I file in?
- One office for the county. Bergen County small claims go to the Special Civil Part at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack. You don't need to look up a precinct.
- Which county: "A complaint must be filed in the Office of the Special Civil Part of the county where at least one defendant lives or where the defendant's business is located. ... If none of the defendants live or are located in New Jersey, the complaint must be filed in the county where the cause of the complaint occurred."
Addresses, phone numbers and hours
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From the Special Civil Part offices directory and the Bergen Vicinage page.
Bergen County Justice Center
Address: 10 Main Street, Suite/Room 427, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: 201-221-0700 ext. 25250
Office:
- Special Civil Part (small claims)
How much does small claims cost in Bergen County?
From the New Jersey Courts' Small Claims and Special Civil pages:
- Small claims, one defendant: $35
- Each additional defendant: $5
For comparison, other Special Civil Part cases cost $50 up to $5,000 and $75 over $5,000, plus $5 for each additional defendant, $10 if mailing, and $100 for a jury.
- We couldn't confirm how small claims papers are served or what service costs.
- Fees can change; confirm with the Special Civil Part at 201-221-0700 ext. 25250.
Can I e-file in Bergen County?
Yes. You can upload through JEDS, file by mail, or file in person at the Special Civil Part Office.
Bergen County small claims forms: the Small Claims Complaint
See the New Jersey Courts' Small Claims page for how to start a case. You can file through JEDS, by mail or in person.
How to file in Bergen County, step by step
- Make sure your claim is $5,000 or less.
- Confirm the case belongs in Bergen County (where at least one defendant lives or the business is located).
- Prepare your small claims complaint.
- File through JEDS, by mail, or in person at Room 427, and pay $35 plus $5 for each additional defendant.
- Ask the Special Civil Part how the defendant will be served and when your hearing is.
- Go to your hearing with your evidence. Statewide rules are in our New Jersey guide.
Ready to fill in your own form?
The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one: a filled-in sample of the New Jersey Small Claims Complaint (CN 10532) with every box explained, plus your New Jersey Playbook section on what happens after you file (service, the answer and the trial notice), what to bring to your trial, collecting a judgment, and appeals (the deadline, fees and transcript).
You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
How to look up a Bergen County small claims case
- Use the New Jersey Courts' Civil and Foreclosure Public Access system. "First-time users must register."
What does it cost to collect a judgment?
Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Bergen County's collection fees weren't on the pages we checked. Ask the Special Civil Part, and see our New Jersey guide for the statewide steps.
Fee waivers and venue changes
- Can't afford the fees? Ask the Special Civil Part what options it offers.
- Appeal: we couldn't confirm the deadline. Ask the clerk right after the decision, and don't wait.
Coach's Tips for Bergen County
- Keep it at $5,000 or less. If your claim is $5,000 or less, file it as a small claim. The fee is lower and the process is simpler.
- Skip the trip. You can upload your complaint through JEDS or mail it, instead of going to Hackensack.
- Use the full extension. The Special Civil Part's number is 201-221-0700 ext. 25250.
Bergen County small claims checklist
- My claim is $5,000 or less.
- The case belongs in Bergen County.
- I have my small claims complaint.
- I budgeted $35, plus $5 for each extra defendant.
- I know whether I'll file through JEDS, by mail or in person.
- I asked about service and my hearing date.
- My evidence is organized and copied for court.
Bergen County small claims FAQ
What court handles small claims in Bergen County, NJ?
Small claims in Bergen County are handled by the Small Claims Section of the Special Civil Part, Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division.
Where is Bergen County small claims court?
It is at the Bergen County Justice Center, 10 Main St, Hackensack.
How do I file a Small Claims Complaint and Summons in Bergen County?
You file the Small Claims Complaint and Small Claims Summons with the Special Civil Part online through JEDS, by mail or in person. The fee and limit are in the sections above; confirm them with the clerk before you file.
Is small claims different from the Special Civil Part?
Small claims is a section of the Special Civil Part (sometimes called special civil court) for smaller cases.
Who decides my small claims case in Bergen County?
A judge. You may first be sent to a settlement conference, where a court staff member will try to help the plaintiff and the defendant reach an agreement; if the case does not settle, the judge hears it.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Bergen County?
$35 to sue one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant.
Sources
- New Jersey Courts: Small Claims
- New Jersey Courts: Special Civil Part
- New Jersey Courts: Special Civil Part offices directory
- New Jersey Courts: Civil and Foreclosure Public Access
Checked 2026-10-27.
More for New Jersey: New Jersey small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day
Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers where and how to file in Bergen County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the New Jersey Small Claims Complaint (CN 10532), your New Jersey Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer. But if your situation is complicated, doesn't fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.
Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.