Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how the Bergen County Clerk's Office handles information in connection with this public website. It is intended for website visitors. It does not replace County or State policies that apply to official records, employment, or other County systems.

Note: This policy is owned by County Legal. The text below reflects the site's documented technical privacy posture and is a draft pending Legal sign-off before go-live.

Who we are

This website is operated by the Bergen County Clerk's Office, One Bergen County Plaza, Room 130, Hackensack, NJ 07601. For general inquiries, email countyclerk@bergencountynj.gov or call (201) 336-7000.

Information we collect

The public website does not require visitor accounts and is designed to avoid collecting personal information from casual browsing. Depending on how you use the site, we may process:

  • Server and security logs (which may include IP address, request time, and requested URL) needed to operate and protect the service
  • Anonymized or aggregated analytics such as approximate location (city/region), device class, and page performance metrics when analytics are enabled
  • Site search query text and related filters, without storing IP address, session identifier, or user-agent with those search logs
  • Language preference stored by the optional translation widget (cookie and/or local storage controlled by that vendor)
  • Information you choose to send us by email or other contact channels you initiate

We do not:

  • Use advertising or marketing trackers on the public site
  • Sell visitor personal information
  • Use browser fingerprinting for advertising or personalization
  • Set third-party advertising cookies

How we use information

We use the information described above to:

  • Deliver and secure the website
  • Understand aggregate usage and improve content and performance
  • Respond to messages you send us
  • Meet legal, audit, and records-management obligations that apply to County systems

Cookies and similar technologies

The public site is designed to minimize cookies. Essential operational cookies may be used by the hosting platform. The translation widget may set a first-party cookie or use local storage to remember your language choice. Alert dismissals and similar preferences may be stored in local storage on your device. We do not use cookies for advertising.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect optional features such as translation preference persistence.

Third-party services

This site may include a third-party translation widget and links to external government or service sites (for example, land-records search or election tools). Those services are governed by their own privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy notices of any third-party site you visit.

Retention

Operational logs and analytics are retained only as long as needed for security, troubleshooting, and service improvement, subject to County records-management policy. Search query logs are retained for analytics and quality improvement under the same operational controls. Admin audit logs (for CMS editors, not public visitors) follow separate retention rules.

Because the public site does not maintain visitor accounts or persistent visitor profiles, there is generally no visitor profile to delete. If you contact us about a privacy request, Communications will provide a written acknowledgment and route the request through the County's applicable process.

Children's privacy

This website provides government information and services for the general public. It is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children through the public site.

Public records

New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and other records laws may apply to certain County records. Website analytics and routine server logs described here are operational. Requests for government records should follow the County's published OPRA or records-request process.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in technology, law, or County practice. The "Last updated" date below will change when the published policy is revised.

Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy: countyclerk@bergencountynj.gov

Bergen County Clerk's Office, One Bergen County Plaza, Room 130, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Phone: (201) 336-7000.

Last updated

July 9, 2026