Ocean County Phone Directory
Ocean County provides a phone directory that connects residents to government offices across this large coastal county. Toms River is the county seat and home to the main clerk's office at the Ocean County Courthouse. The county also runs satellite offices in Lakewood and Manahawkin to serve its spread-out population. With over 637,000 residents, Ocean County has many public services you can reach by phone. This directory lists the key numbers for the county clerk, courts, health department, and records offices across Ocean County.
Ocean County Quick Facts
Ocean County Clerk Phone Directory
John Catalano serves as Acting Ocean County Clerk. He oversees all operations including property recordings, passport services, election administration, and public records access. The Ocean County Clerk maintains four office locations to serve this large county.
The main office is at the Ocean County Courthouse, 118 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753. Call (732) 929-2018 for this location. The Ocean County Connection at Ocean County Mall on Hooper Avenue in Toms River can be reached at (732) 288-7777. The Northern Ocean County Resource Center at 225 4th Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701, has a phone number of (732) 370-8850. The Southern Service Center at 179 South Main Street, Manahawkin, NJ 08092, can be called at (609) 597-1500.
All four offices handle a range of services. These include passports, veteran photo cards, property searches, trade name certificates, and mail-in ballot requests. The clerk records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents that affect real property in Ocean County. This recording process keeps the official chain of title for all real estate in the county.
Note: All Ocean County Clerk offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, but hours may vary by location for certain services.
Ocean County Public Records Search
Public records in Ocean County fall under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1). OPRA defines government records as documents made, kept on file, or received during official business by any government agency. These records are open for public inspection with certain exceptions set by law.
The Ocean County Clerk's Office lists the types of records maintained across county offices. These include court records for civil, criminal, probate, and family cases. Property records cover deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and assessments. Vital records include birth, death, marriage, and civil union documents. Business records cover licenses, permits, and fictitious names. Tax records include property tax data, assessments, and tax maps. The county also maintains voting and election records, meeting minutes, budget documents, and land use and zoning records.
Different offices handle different record types in Ocean County. The clerk maintains property records, business filings, and election data. Court records are at the Ocean County Superior Court. Vital records go through the Ocean County Health Department. Tax records are at the Board of Taxation. Use the Ocean County phone directory above to reach the right office for the records you need.
Ocean County Records Fees and OPRA
To get records from Ocean County, submit an OPRA request in person, by mail, electronically, or by fax. Describe the records with enough detail for the custodian to find them. Allow seven business days for processing as set by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5. The custodian must explain any delays and give an estimated completion date.
Standard fees for Ocean County records are:
- Letter-size copies (8.5 by 11 inches): $0.05 per page
- Legal-size copies (8.5 by 14 inches): $0.07 per page
- Electronic records by email: generally no charge
- Certified court records: $10.00 per document
- Certified property records: $10.00 first page, $1.00 each added page
- Vital records certificates: $25.00 per certificate
Special service charges may apply for requests that need extensive staff time or technical resources, but they must reflect actual direct costs. The Ocean County Health Department OPRA Custodian is Brian E. Rumpf, Esq. at P.O. Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754. Call (732) 341-9700 or email oprarequest@ochd.org for health records. For environmental health records about septic systems and well inspections, include the street address, municipality, and block and lot number.
Note: Jackson Township parcels require both old and new block and lot numbers due to the township's renumbering of properties.
Ocean County Court Phone Numbers
The Ocean County Superior Court is at 120 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Court records can be accessed through the New Jersey Courts Public Access System at no cost for basic case information. For detailed documents and certified copies, you must pay fees and may need to submit a formal request.
You can get copies of court records through the Judiciary Electronic Documents Submission System (JEDS) or by mailing a request to the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Fees vary based on document type and whether you need certification. The Ocean County Sheriff's Office also releases incident reports. Send OPRA requests to OCSheriffOpraRequests@co.ocean.nj.us or mail to the Ocean County Justice Complex at 120 Hooper Avenue, P.O. Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754. The records division phone is 732-288-7171.
Ocean County provides free access to several types of records online. These include basic property ownership and assessment data, meeting minutes and agendas on the county website, budget documents, election results, court docket information through the NJ Courts system, and public notices. Free public terminals are also available at the Ocean County Clerk's Office, the County Law Library, and the Board of Elections.
Phone Directory for Ocean County Offices
Below is a summary of the key Ocean County phone directory contacts. Each office handles specific records and services. Call the number that matches your need for the fastest response.
| Main Clerk |
118 Washington Street Toms River, NJ 08753 Phone: (732) 929-2018 |
|---|---|
| Mall Office |
Hooper Avenue, Toms River Phone: (732) 288-7777 |
| Lakewood Office |
225 4th Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701 Phone: (732) 370-8850 |
| Manahawkin Office |
179 South Main Street Manahawkin, NJ 08092 Phone: (609) 597-1500 |
| Health Dept OPRA |
Phone: (732) 341-9700 Email: oprarequest@ochd.org |
The NJ OPRA Portal also covers Ocean County agencies. You can send records requests online through this system, which tracks your request and notifies you when records are ready. The Government Records Council handles appeals under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-7 if a records request is denied. Requestors who prevail in GRC proceedings may recover attorney fees under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-6.
The county also issues veteran photo identification cards and records military discharge documents at all clerk locations. Passport services are available at all four offices with photos on-site. Processing follows federal timelines of 7 to 10 weeks for routine service and 3 to 5 weeks for expedited requests.
Cities in Ocean County
Ocean County has 33 municipalities spread across a large area. All are served by the county clerk in Toms River and the satellite offices. Use the Ocean County phone directory to find contacts for records from any of these towns.
Nearby Counties
These counties are next to Ocean County. Visit their phone directory pages for contacts and records from neighboring areas.