Union Joanne Rajoppi, County Clerk
Phone: 908-527-4787
Address: Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Click here for Union County Election Resources for the July 7, 2020 Primary
Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces effective immediately, the County Clerk’s offices will begin in-person appointments to swear in notaries and assist persons seeking to register trade names, tax waivers and clerk’s certificates.
Everyone seeking these services in person is required to make an appointment in advance and wear a face mask at all times, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. No other in-person services are available at this time.
Elizabeth – Effective Immediately – In-person appointments can be made for the County Clerk’s main office in Elizabeth, by calling the Business Division at 908-527-4966 (office hours are 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday):
- Notary swearing-in
- Tax waivers
- Clerk’s certificates
- Trade names
Westfield – Effective Immediately – In-person appointments can be made for the County Clerks’ annex office in Westfield, by calling 908-654-9859 (office hours are 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday):
- Notary swearing-in
- Clerk’s certificates
- Trade names
Any Notaries whose commission date has expired should call the New Jersey Department of the Treasury at 609-292-9292 for assistance. Website.
Passport Operations
In accordance with U.S. State Department guidelines, please note that the County Clerk’s passport services at the Elizabeth and Westfield offices are temporarily suspended. In life or death emergencies within three days of travel, call the State Department at 877-487-2778 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm). After 5:00 pm call 202-647-4000.
Passport applicants and holders are further advised that the U.S. Department of State will honor all expedited service of passports submitted prior to March 18 with two – to four – week service. Regular passport renewals and new passports will be delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Frequent land records submitters (such as law firms and banks)
Encouraged to use an e-filing service. The vendors used by the County Clerk are:
- Corporation Service Company – www.erecording.com
- SimpliFile – www.simplifile.com / jpettine@simplifile.com
As the County Clerk I am pleased to acquaint you with the broad range of services and functions our office performs. From the recording and filing of all land transactions within the 21 municipalities of our county to the processing of Passports and elections, we are always available to assist and direct you in your needs.
We invite you to download our free Union County Votes App for ioS, android phones and tablets. It will give you instant access to the vital tools of voting and accurate election information.
– Joanne Rajoppi
Recording Fee Changes Effective January 1, 2020
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders pursuant to P.L 2009, Chapter 123 amending N.J .S. 22A:4~17 and supplementing P.L 1984, c.180(c.52.27D~ 280 et seq., has by Resolution, amended the Union County Homeless Trust Fund. Effective January 1, 2020 there will be a surcharge increase from three dollars ($3.00) to five dollars ($5.00) for each document recorded by the Union County Clerk’s Office. The $2.00 increase will offset the cost associated with Code Blue Alert plans. The documents affected by this surcharge are as follows:
- Deeds (All Types)
- Mortgages (All types)
- Powers of Attorney
- Mortgage Cancellations
- Releases Satisfactions
- Vacations Discharges
- Tax Sale Certificates
- Postponements & Subordinations
- Redemptions
- Lis Pendens (Recorded)