Ocean County Court Records

Ocean County court records include information created during court proceedings or sessions. Records can be maintained in various formats, from microfilms and handwritten papers to pictures and audio recordings. Court records may contain varied information depending on the type of case, its status, and the recording agency. For example, criminal court records include information about convictions and sentencing. Conversely, bankruptcy court filings may contain financial data, such as tax information.

Note: New Jersey court records ensure county courts follow fair legal procedures. Also, the records serve as legal precedents in future court cases.

Are Court Records Public in Ocean County?

Ocean County court records are public documents unless they contain exempt information. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act is a series of laws determining the creation, storage, and disclosure of public records in Ocean County. The law also empowers government agencies to act as custodians of court records.

As stated earlier, not all records are accessible to the public. NJ Court Rule 1:38 exempts or redacts personal identifiers from court records. These identifiers may include social security, insurance policy, and complete financial account numbers. Other exempt information includes:

• Communication between attorneys and their clients
• Court information that is exempt due to a court order or statute.
• Documents produced by a member of the judiciary while performing their duties
• Court documents which disclose the home address of a retired judicial officer or a prosecutor (N.J.S.A. 47:1B-2)

Ocean County Court Records Search

Ocean County court records are available upon request to the record custodians via online, mail, or walk-in. The record custodian determines the process for obtaining court records. For example, the New Jersey Records Center allows online or offline access to court documents. In contrast, the clerk of the superior court allows in-person access to court records.

Irrespective of the request option, record seekers must provide information about the sought documents. In most cases, you only need to provide the case number and the party’s name.

Ocean County Court Records Search by Name

The New Jersey Records Center allows name searches for Ocean County court records. The website maintains different repositories for online court records. For example, it maintains an online search portal for criminal judgments in Ocean County. Other online portals on the website include:

• Search Civil and Foreclosure Cases
• Search for Criminal Convictions
• Search Tax Court Cases
• Find My Municipal Court Cases
• Find Supreme Court Cases

In addition, the Ocean County Clerk’s Office allows name-based searches for property-related court records.

Note: Requesters may create accounts to access court records on some of these platforms. For example, you must create an account to use the Civil and Foreclosure Case Search. Record custodians may also charge fees for printing the records.

Ocean County Courts

The court system in Ocean County consists of municipal courts, surrogate courts, superior courts, and tax courts.

Ocean County District Court Records

Ocean County’s superior courts are the equivalent of district courts in other states. Thus, the courts handle criminal and civil-type cases, such as small claims, felonies, general civil (limited or unlimited), and commercial civil cases.

The clerk of the superior court is the primary custodian of court records filed in Ocean County. To obtain court records from the court clerk, requesters must apply in person at:

Superior Court Clerk's Office
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
25 Market Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08625

Alternatively, you can view and obtain the records via the New Jersey Records Center. The online platform maintains the following search portals for criminal and civil cases:

• Search for Civil and Foreclosure Cases
• Search for Criminal Convictions

To obtain paper copies of the records, record seekers must follow these instructions:

1. Download and save the request form
2. Next, complete the form and include “SCCO” as the processing location for the court record.
3. Upload the completed form via the “Submit Completed Form” button.
4. The agency will send the requested document via the email address provided on the form.
5. You can pay the estimated copy fee by credit card.

Ocean County Criminal Records

The New Jersey Police Department, via the State Bureau of Investigations, is the custodian of criminal records documented in Ocean County. These records are quite different from court records since they only contain arrest and conviction histories.

The NJSP will only release criminal records to record subjects and to employers authorized by them. Eligible applicants can obtain records from the NJSP via name- or fingerprint-based criminal checks.

For fingerprint-based searches, state residents must capture their fingerprints via these steps:

1. Schedule an appointment online to get fingerprinted at approved physical locations.
2. Next, pay the required fees. It cost $45.73 for the fingerprinting service.
3. Visit the fingerprinting center on the appointment date and provide the following:
   1. A valid ID
   2. Documents that show your residential information
   3. A six-character service code. You will get the code when you fill out the online scheduling form.
4. You can download the criminal record online within 24 to 72 hours after fingerprinting.

Requesters must complete an online SBI 212B Form to conduct a name-based search for criminal records. It costs $20 to get criminal records via this request option.

Record seekers may also obtain Ocean County arrest records by contacting the county sheriff's office. Applicants must also fill out the online request form on the sheriff's website to obtain arrest information.

Ocean County Criminal Court Case Lookup

In Ocean County, criminal court records are under the jurisdiction of the superior court and the municipal courts. The former oversees all criminal cases, while the municipal court handles only ordinances and traffic violations.

The clerk of the superior court maintains and provides access to criminal court case records. You may access the records by visiting the clerk’s office at:

Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
25 Market Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08625

In contrast, requesters can access criminal records through the Records Center. The website maintains online search portals for criminal court case records. Interested parties can search court records by using these search databases:

• Online search for criminal convictions
• Criminal judgment search.

The New Jersey Records Center also accepts online requests for criminal case documents. Requesters must download and fill out a request form. Next, they must upload the completed request form to the website. The agency will send a fee estimate and the search result via email.

Note: The agency charges $15 for a certified copy of criminal case records.

Get Ocean County Civil Court Records

In Ocean County, civil court case documents contain information on lawsuits or disputes. The clerk of the superior court serves as the record custodian for civil court cases. Interested parties can obtain the records by visiting the clerk's office at:

Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
25 Market Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08625

The New Jersey Center is also a custodian of civil court records. Requesters may search the records via the agency's online database for civil cases. On the other hand, requesters may send a request to the agency via these steps:

1. Download and fill out the request form for Ocean County civil court records
2. Upload the form on the New Jersey Center website.
3. Include the required payment as credit card payments.

The agency will send the requested court record to the requester's email address.

Ocean County Family Court Records

In Ocean County, family court records consist of domestic relations and juvenile court cases. The clerk of the superior court oversees all family court records generated within the county. Thus, you make requests for the records in-person at the clerk's office.

Conversely, you can find these records at the New Jersey Records Center. To access records via the website, requesters must follow these instructions:

1. Download and complete a request form for family court cases
2. Upload the completed form on the records center website.
3. Include the search fee as a credit card payment.

Note: Family court records may feature confidential data. Thus, record custodians will only release confidential parts of the record to eligible applicants.

Ocean Dissolution of Marriage Records

In Ocean County, dissolution of marriage records are accessible via these general steps:

1. Find the agency or custodian holding the divorce records
2. Determine the best request option for obtaining the record
3. Fulfill the requirements for getting the records via the request option. Requirements may include paying a search or copy fee.

Ocean County Marriage and Divorce Records

New Jersey’s Office of Vital Statistics & Registry maintains records of marriage events that occurred in the last 50 years. Furthermore, the department allows online, walk-in, or mail orders for marriage records.

To order marriage records online, you must fill out the required data on an online request form. Furthermore, you must upload your credit card details, a valid ID card, and a proof of relationship document.

For an in-person or mail-in request, the requester must provide these documents:

• A completed request form for Ocean County marriage certificate in English or Spanish
• A copy of a current photo ID. This may include a driver’s license, voter registration, or passport.
• The applicable search fee. The department charges $25 for the search and first copy of the document. It costs $2 each for additional copies of records ordered simultaneously.
• A proof of relationship document is mandatory if you are requesting certified copies. The document could be a notarized authorization form from the record subject.

Note: Third-party requesters without an authorization form must obtain a court order directing the agency to release the record.

Send these documents and fees via mail or walk-in to:

New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and Registration
Customer Service Unit – Non-Genealogical Requests
P.O. Box 370
Trenton, NJ 08625-0370

For express mail or courier
New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and Registration
Customer Service Unit – Non-Genealogical Requests
H & A Building
5th Floor
Warren and Market Streets
Trenton, NJ 08625

You may also send the requests to local registrars in Ocean County. You can find the full list of Ocean County’s local registrars here.

In contrast, Ocean County divorce records can be found through the New Jersey Records Center. To access the records, you must fill out and download the request form on the website. Next, upload the completed request form on the same website.

Another alternative to obtaining divorce records is to visit the family division of the superior court at:

Family Division Manager
Ocean County Justice Complex
120 Hooper Avenue
Floor 2
Toms River, New Jersey 08754-2191
Phone: (732) 504-0700 ext. 64754

Ocean Birth and Death Records

Ocean birth and death records are available at the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry. The agency allows online, mail, or walk-in requests for the records. That said, only the record subject and legal representatives can obtain Ocean County birth or death records from the agency. Also, the third-party requesters must provide a notarized authorization form from the record bearer.

The Office of Vital Statistics and Registry provides an online request form for online orders for birth and death records. Record seekers must fill out the form and upload the following:

• Credit card details for the applicable fees
• Valid photo ID
• Proof of relationship documents, such as an authorization form.

In contrast, you must follow these steps to obtain the records via mail or in person:

1. Fill out one of these request forms:
2. Application for Ocean County birth certificate in English or Spanish
3. Application for a death certificate in English or Spanish
4. Include a copy of a valid ID.
5. Pay the required fee in your preferred format. The agency charges $25 to search for and produce the first certified copy of the document. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $2 each.
6. Next, send the documents and fees via mail or in person to:
   New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and Registration
   Customer Service Unit – Non-Genealogical Requests
   P.O. Box 370
   Trenton, NJ 08625-0370
   
   For express mail or courier
   New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and Registration
   Customer Service Unit – Non-Genealogical Requests
   H & A Building
   5th Floor
   Warren and Market Streets
   Trenton, NJ 08625

Record seekers may also request records at the local registrar's offices. The contact information for these offices is online.

Ocean County Probate Court Records

The Ocean County Surrogate Court hears probate cases on wills, guardianships and conservatorships, trustees, and estates. However, the superior court handles cases involving name changes.

The Office of the Surrogate maintains and issues copies of probate cases to interested parties. Record seekers can obtain the records by sending a completed request letter via mail or drop-off at:

Ocean County Surrogate’s Court
P.O. Box 2191
118 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08754-2191

You can drop off the request letter in the lobby at the main entrance of the surrogate court.

Note: Probate records cost $5 for a certified copy and $5 for probate court certificates.

Ocean County Property Records

In Ocean County, property records contain data on deeds, mortgages, judgments, parcel information, and map-based images of properties. These records are accessible via local and state agencies. For instance, the county clerk’s office maintains an online searchable portal for property records. Requesters can obtain records by using the following search options:

• Case party search
• Document type search
• Instrument number search
• Map number search

Record seekers may access the records in person by scheduling an appointment with the county clerk. The Ocean County Tax Assessor’s Office also keeps records of property taxes and valuations. You can view the records through these search portals:

• Tax Board List Search
• SR1A Search
• MOD IV Search

Ocean County Court Records Online

Third-party search sites like Newjerseycourtrecords.us are alternative options for accessing Ocean County public records. These sites may feature one or more types of court records. Record seekers may prefer to use third-party search sites since they are easy to access and allow out-of-state or country users to view court records. However, these sites are not substitutes for official sources of court records. They may feature inaccurate and outdated information.

Ocean County Courts

The court system in Ocean County consists of municipal courts, surrogate courts, superior courts, and tax courts. The courts’ locations and contact information are listed below:

Ocean County Superior Court - Civil, General Equity
Ocean County Courthouse
118 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: (732) 929-2042

Ocean County Superior Court - Criminal, Family, Juvenile, and Domestic Violence
Ocean County Justice Complex
120 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: (732) 929-2042

Ocean County Surrogate's Court
48 Schoolhouse Road
Whiting, NJ 08759
Phone: (732) 929-2011

Ocean County Surrogate's Court
179 South Main Street
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Phone: (732) 929-2011

Ocean County Surrogate's Court
118 Washington Street
P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754
Phone: (732) 929-2011
Fax: (732) 506-5087

Barnegat Light Municipal Court
6805 Long Beach Boulevard
Brant Beach, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 361-6661
Fax: (609) 361-7131

Barnegat Township Municipal Court
900 West Bay Avenue
Barnegat, NJ 08005
Phone: (609) 698-0080 ext. 110
Fax: (609) 698-8542

Bay Head Municipal Court
83 Bridge Avenue
Bay Head, NJ 08742
Phone: (732) 892-4737
Fax: (732) 899-5945

Beach Haven Municipal Court
300 Engleside Avenue
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 492-0111 ext. 228
Fax: (609) 492-1086

Beachwood Municipal Court
1600 Pinewald Road
Beachwood, NJ 08722
Phone: (732) 286-6000 ext. 120
Fax: ( 732) 244-5355

Berkeley Township Municipal Court
631 Pinewald-Keswick Road
P.O. Box B
Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: (732) 240-6661
Fax: (732) 240-0984

Brick Township Municipal Court
401 Chambers Bridge Road
Brick, NJ 08723
Phone: (732) 262-1226

Eagleswood Township Municipal Court
665 Radio Road
Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Phone: (609) 296-7241
Fax: (609) 294-1068

Harvey Cedars Municipal Court
7606 Long Beach Boulevard
Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 494-9026
Fax: (609) 361-5247

Island Heights Municipal Court
One Wanamaker Municipal Complex
P.O. Box 797
Island Heights, NJ 08732
Phone: (732) 270-6161

Jackson Township Municipal Court
102 Jackson Drive
Jackson, NJ 08527
Phone: (732) 928-1205
Fax: (732) 928-3276

Lacey Township Municipal Court
818 West Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731
Phone: (609) 693-1100 ext. 2262
Fax: (609) 693-6749

Lakehurst Municipal Court
5 Union Avenue
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
Phone: (732) 657-4151

Lakewood Municipal Court
231 3rd Street
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Phone: (732) 364-2500 ext. 5988
Fax: (732) 994-4573

Lavallette Municipal Court
Lavallette Municipal Building
1306 Grand Central Avenue
Lavallette, NJ 08735
Phone: (732) 830-1911

Little Egg Harbor Municipal Court
665 Radio Road
Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Phone: (609) 296-7241
Fax: (609) 294-1068

Long Beach Township Municipal Court
6805 Long Beach Boulevard
Brant Beach, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 361-1000

Manchester Township Municipal Court
1 Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ 08759
Phone: (732) 657-8121 ext. 3400
Fax: (732) 657-2440

Mantoloking Municipal Court
340 Drum Point Road
Brick, NJ 08738
Phone: (732) 475-7398

Ocean Gate Municipal Court
801 Ocean Gate Avenue
Ocean Gate, NJ 08740
Phone: (732) 269-3166 ext. 22

Ocean Township Municipal Court
50 Railroad Avenue
Waretown, NJ 08758
Phone: (609) 693-3332
Fax: (609) 971-9551

Pine Beach Municipal Court
599 Pennsylvania Avenue
P.O. Box 425
Pine Beach, NJ 08741
Phone: (732) 349-6453
Fax: (732) 240-0533

Plumsted Township Municipal Court
121 Evergreen Road
New Egypt, NJ 08533
Phone: (609) 758-2241 ext. 117
Fax: (609) 758-7703

Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Court
2233 Bridge Avenue
P.O. Box 25
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Phone: (732) 899-1636
Fax: (732) 295-3521

Point Pleasant Municipal Court
2233 Bridge Avenue
P.O. Box 25
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Phone: (732) 899-1636
Fax: (732) 295-3521

Seaside Heights Municipal Court
116 Sherman Avenue
Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Phone: (732) 830-2202
Fax: (732) 830-6458

Seaside Park Municipal Court
George E. Tompkins Municipal Complex
116 Sherman Avenue
Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Phone: (732) 830-2202

Ship Bottom Municipal Court
1621 Long Beach Boulevard
Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 494-2171 ext. 118
Fax: (609) 848-9229

South Toms River Municipal Court
19 Double Trouble Road
South Toms River, NJ 08757
Phone: (732) 349-1141
Fax: (732) 240-3304

Stafford Township Municipal Court
260 East Bay Avenue
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Phone: (609) 597-1000
Fax: (609) 242-8253

Surf City Municipal Court
813 Long Beach Boulevard
Surf City, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 494-3984

Toms River Municipal Court
255 Oak Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: (732) 797-3914
Fax: (732) 341-3074

Tuckerton Municipal Court
420 East Main Street
Tuckerton, NJ 08087
Phone: (609) 296-2036
Fax: (609) 296-9307