Search Plainfield Phone Directory
The Plainfield phone directory gives you access to local government contacts, department phone numbers, and public records in Union County. Plainfield has a population of about 54,586 and sits in the heart of central New Jersey. The City Clerk at 515 Watchung Avenue serves as the main records custodian for the city. You can use this guide to search for phone listings, find the right office, and learn how to request directory records in Plainfield. All public records requests go through the clerk under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act.
Plainfield Quick Facts
Plainfield City Clerk Phone Directory
The Office of the City Clerk is the central hub for public records in Plainfield. It is at 515 Watchung Avenue on the 1st Floor. The clerk handles all Open Public Records Act requests, keeps city records, and gives access to meeting minutes, ordinances, and resolutions. Call (908) 753-3222 to reach the Plainfield City Clerk for phone directory questions or records access.
The City of Plainfield website lists key department contacts. The Communications Division is at (908) 753-3015. Corporation Counsel can be reached at (908) 226-4901. These contacts help route your call to the right place when you search the Plainfield phone directory. The clerk also maintains a city directory with all department heads and office numbers.
Walk-in visits to the clerk are welcome during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can pull up records, print copies, and help you find the phone number or office you need in Plainfield.
Plainfield Police Phone Directory Records
The Plainfield Police Department Records Unit keeps police reports, accident reports, and incident records. For general police records questions, contact the Records Clerk at 908.753.3018. Police records requests that fall under OPRA must be submitted to the City Clerk, who coordinates with the police department.
If you need a copy of a police report in Plainfield, call the Records Unit first to check what is on file. Some reports take a few days to process. The phone directory for the police department includes the main line, records unit, and dispatch. For emergencies, always dial 9-1-1. For non-emergency calls, use the main police line listed on the city website.
Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, most government records in Plainfield are open to the public. Some police records have exemptions for ongoing investigations or personal safety concerns. The clerk will let you know if any part of your request is denied and give you the reason in writing.
How to Request Plainfield Phone Records
Plainfield uses OPRAMachine for online public records requests. This portal lets you submit, track, and get responses to requests from your computer or phone. It keeps a public log of all requests filed with the city, so you can see what others have asked for and whether those requests were filled.
When you submit a request, be specific. Include names, dates, department names, and any reference numbers you have. The more detail you give, the faster the Plainfield phone directory staff can find what you need. The custodian has seven business days to respond after getting the form. If your request covers multiple departments, the clerk routes it to each one.
You can also submit requests by hand, mail, or fax to the City Clerk at 515 Watchung Avenue. The seven-day clock starts when the custodian gets the form, not when you send it. For questions about OPRA, call the Government Records Council toll-free at 1-866-850-0511.
Note: The OPRAMachine portal shows request status and lets you download records when they are released.
Union County Phone Directory for Plainfield
Plainfield is part of Union County. The Union County Clerk maintains property records, deeds, mortgages, and other land records for Plainfield residents. The Recording Office is at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Call 908-527-4787 for recording services or 908-527-4996 for election information.
The county clerk office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. No appointment is needed for recording services. If you are searching the Plainfield phone directory for property-related contacts, the county clerk is the right place to start. They also run a Property Fraud Alert system that is free to all property owners in Union County. You can sign up at www.propertyfraudalert.com/NJUnion or call 1-800-728-3858.
Under Daniel's Law, certain public officials in Plainfield and Union County can have personal information removed from public records. This includes home addresses and phone numbers for active and retired judges, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors. This may affect some phone directory search results.
Plainfield Phone Directory Copy Fees
Copy fees for records in Plainfield follow New Jersey state law. Here are the standard rates:
- Letter-size pages: $0.05 per page
- Legal-size pages: $0.07 per page
- Electronic records by email: no charge in many cases
- Certified copies: additional fee per document
- Special service charges may apply for large requests
Records sent by email or fax from the Plainfield phone directory are often free. If fees will be more than $5, the clerk may ask for a deposit before starting work. Anonymous requests that exceed $5 require a 100% deposit up front. Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order at the City Clerk office.
New Jersey Phone Directory Resources
Beyond the Plainfield phone directory, several state resources can help with your search. The NJ OPRA Portal connects you to over 1,250 agencies across New Jersey. You can submit and track requests online for free. The New Jersey State Archives holds historical records going back to 1664, including old city directories and census records useful for research.
The New Jersey State Library also keeps printed genealogies, city directories, and local histories. These can be helpful if you are looking for older Plainfield phone directory listings or historical contacts. For vital records, the New Jersey Department of Health at 609-292-4087 handles birth, marriage, and death certificates.
If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal. File a complaint with the Government Records Council or go to Superior Court. The GRC offers free mediation to resolve disputes. Penalties for wrongful denial of records range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the number of prior offenses.
Note: Plainfield residents can also access state archives databases with over 2.3 million entries at no cost.
Union County Phone Directory
Plainfield is in Union County. The county manages property records, court files, voter registration, and other public documents. For more phone directory resources and county-wide contact information, visit the Union County page.