Scotch Plains Residents Directory
The Scotch Plains Township residents directory connects people with public records in this Union County community. Scotch Plains has over 24,000 residents and covers more than 9 square miles in western Union County. Named one of the best places to live in New Jersey by Niche.com, the township is known for its strong schools, safe streets, and rich history. The Township Clerk handles OPRA requests and serves as the Custodian of Government Records. This residents directory page explains how to find and request records in Scotch Plains.
Scotch Plains Township Quick Facts
Scotch Plains Residents Directory and the Clerk's Office
The Township Clerk at 430 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 is the primary contact for the residents directory. The main phone number is (908) 322-6700. The clerk handles OPRA requests, vital statistics, ordinance advertising, budget posting, public notices, liquor licensing, and meeting minutes.
Scotch Plains adopted the Council-Manager form of government in 1978. A five-member Mayor and Council govern the township, and they appoint a professional Township Manager to handle day-to-day operations. The manager deals with administrative tasks like budget preparation, appointing department heads, and negotiating contracts. This lets the council focus on policy and laws.
The clerk's office maintains all official records for the township. Council agendas, minutes, and meeting videos are posted online for public access. The township posts budgets, financial documents, and other records on its website as part of its commitment to open government. The Scotch Plains residents directory benefits from this level of transparency.
Note: The Township Clerk is the designated Custodian of Government Records for all of Scotch Plains, including police records.
OPRA Records in the Scotch Plains Directory
Citizens can submit OPRA requests to Scotch Plains by email at opra@scotchplainsnj.com. The OPRA page on the township website has full details about the process. Under the Open Public Records Act at N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, the following are considered public records in Scotch Plains:
- Printed documents like agendas, minutes, contracts, and vouchers
- Handwritten documents, books, maps, and photographs
- Tape and video recordings
- Computer records, email, and electronically stored data
Some records are not subject to OPRA. If a record does not exist and would need to be created, the township is not required to make it. Information that would threaten security is also exempt. Personal details like social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and unlisted phone numbers are protected. Public defender files are excluded too.
The standard response time is seven business days. Copy fees are five cents per letter-size page and seven cents per legal-size page. OPRA requests for police records also go through the Township Clerk. In an effort to be open, the Police Department has published copies of general orders and other documents that get frequent OPRA requests.
Scotch Plains History and the Residents Directory
Scotch Plains has a deep history that makes its residents directory especially rich. The township was settled by European Quakers in the late 1600s and grew as a stagecoach stop between New York and Philadelphia. The area saw action during the American Revolution, including the Battle of Short Hills.
The Osborn Cannonball House in downtown Scotch Plains has stood since 1777. Both British and Continental troops marched past it during the war. It has been turned into a museum and takes part in Union County's annual "Four Centuries in a Weekend" historic festival. The Frazee House, built around 1720 to 1740, is famous for the story of Elizabeth "Aunt Betty" Frazee turning away General Cornwallis and his troops.
The township also has the Shady Rest at Scotch Hills Golf Course, which was the first African-American country club in the nation. Golf pro John Shippen, who played there, was the first American-born professional golfer to enter the U.S. Open. Records related to these historic sites are part of the broader Scotch Plains residents directory.
Note: The Alan M. Augustine Village Green hosts a summer concert series, movie nights, and community events throughout the year.
Union County and the Scotch Plains Residents Directory
Scotch Plains is in Union County, and many records are held at the county level. The Union County Clerk's main office is at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, phone 908-527-4787. A satellite office in Westfield offers extended hours. The county clerk maintains land records, deeds, mortgages, and property documents for all 21 towns in the county.
The Union County Superior Court handles civil, criminal, and family cases for Scotch Plains. Court records can be searched online through the eCourts system. For vital records, the New Jersey Department of Health is the statewide source. The State Archives holds older records for research. The Government Records Council at 866-850-0511 handles OPRA complaints.
Scotch Plains borders Plainfield, Fanwood, Westfield, Clark, Berkeley Heights, and Mountainside. Each of these towns has its own clerk's office with its own records. The Scotch Plains residents directory is your starting point for local records, but county and state resources fill in the gaps for broader searches.
Scotch Plains Vital Records in the Directory
Vital records are among the most common items searched in the Scotch Plains residents directory. Birth, death, and marriage certificates for events in the township are available through the local registrar. Certified copies cost $25 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies of the same record ordered the same day.
The clerk's office also handles wedding license applications and provides vital records request forms on the township website. Marriage records less than 50 years old have restricted access under New Jersey law. Only the parties named, their parents, spouses, children, grandchildren, and siblings can request copies. Older records are open to the general public for research.
For records from other parts of the state, the Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics at 140 East Front Street in Trenton is the central source. Their toll-free phone is 877-622-7549. The State Archives in Trenton keeps historical records for genealogy work.
Union County Records Resources
Scotch Plains Township is in Union County. For county-level records, property searches, and court filings, visit the Union County page in our residents directory.