Hunterdon County, New Jersey Court Records (New York Metro Area)

Located to the west of the New York City area, Hunterdon County in New Jersey lies on the edge of the New York metropolitan area. It has a population of about 129,000. Nearby counties include Mercer, Morris, Somerset, Warren in New Jersey and Bucks County in Pennsylvania. Major employers in Hunterdon County include Exxon Mobil, New York Life, and 3M.

A rural area for many decades, the 20th century saw Hunterdon shift into a suburban region serving both the Philadelphia and the New York metro areas. Today it is one of the wealthiest counties in New Jersey and home to many major corporations across diverse sectors, from science and technology to finance. The presence of many high-paying jobs from major employers frequently attracts highly-educated newcomers, while the service and retail sectors continue to bring in other individuals from surrounding areas. Because of these conditions, employers in Hunterdon may more often encounter applicants from throughout the broader metropolitan region. 

In environments with a highly mobile workforce such as this, your business must follow the correct procedures to screen and vet applicants before hiring. From confirming that they possess the skills for the job to raising potential red flags about risk, this process is a vital step for all employers — especially in metro areas, where people may more frequently move and leave behind criminal records. Background checks give you the information necessary to make a more well-informed choice about whom you will hire to represent your business, but metro areas demand a process tailor-made for their unique conditions.

Employers must pay special attention to checking off all the boxes related to legal compliance, and this effort can take time during the initial set-up period. However, once you understand how to work within the law, you’ll find that powering up your process with the right tools for background checking is easier than ever. Working with backgroundchecks.com provides opportunities for learning about the process, answering difficult questions, and ordering a wide range of verification and vetting services. Before you can begin, however, you will need to understand an important law that applies to New Jersey employers.

New Jersey uses a "ban the box" law to increase job opportunities for various people. In effect since 2015, the law states that private employers may not ask criminal history questions or use background checks until after conducting an initial interview with the candidate. No pardoned or expunged convictions can factor into the employment decision. You may not ask about expunged convictions, nor can you use online search tools for records before the interview. Additionally, employers in New Jersey may not test applicants for marijuana as a condition of hiring.

Employers in New York City handling candidates from Hunterdon County must follow all the rules and regulations specific to that metro area, including the city’s extensive Fair Chance regulations. All employers must follow the guidelines laid out in the FCRA and regulated by the EEOC.

Once you know how to use background checks in accordance with the law, you can begin vetting candidates. The broadest point of view of records found throughout the region comes when you order our instant US OneSEARCH. Checking records compiled from across the nation, this product can return nearly instant results for many jurisdictions; view our coverage map for full details. 

However, not every state and county make records accessible to third parties. Hunterdon County is one of those counties. New Jersey background checks must be ordered through the New Jersey State Police. Name-based checks cost $20. Fingerprint checks are $44.13. For employers in the area fielding applicants from New York City, a multi-county background search is available through the Office of Court Administration for $95.

Background reports sourced from county court records may include the subject's:

• Name
• Offense/Charge
• Sentence
• Disposition

Prepare yourself to hire safely and effectively in Hunterdon county and the New York metropolitan area with services and resources from backgroundchecks.com.