Access Brick Township Family Court Records
Brick Township family court records are filed through the Ocean County Superior Court, Family Division. Brick Township is a large community in Ocean County and one of the most populated townships in the state. Family court records here cover divorce, custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, adoption, domestic violence, and juvenile cases. The Ocean County courthouse in Toms River handles all family law matters for Brick Township residents. You can search for family court records online or visit the courthouse in person to get copies.
Brick Township Quick Facts
Brick Township Family Court Location
Brick Township residents file family court cases at the Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River. The main courthouse is at 118 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08754. The Family Division office is at 120 Hooper Avenue, Room 210, Toms River, NJ 08753. You can reach the Family Division by phone at 732-929-2042 or 732-504-0700 ext. 64050.
| Court | Ocean County Superior Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 Hooper Avenue, Room 210 Toms River, NJ 08753 |
| Phone | 732-929-2042 / 732-504-0700 ext. 64050 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov/courts/vicinages/ocean |
Brick Township has its own municipal court at 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, NJ 08723. The municipal court phone number is 732-262-1226. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with court sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The municipal court processes nearly 20,000 filings each year, but it does not handle family court records. All family cases go to Toms River.
Brick Township Government Resources
The Brick Township official website provides information on local services, departments, and community resources for township residents.
Brick Township is a shore community in Ocean County. The township covers a large area and has a mix of year-round and seasonal residents. This can affect family court matters like service of process when a party may have more than one address. The Ocean County court handles all such issues for Brick Township family court records.
Search Brick Township Family Court Records
You can search for Brick Township family court records using the New Jersey Judiciary's online tools. The Find a Case tool lets you look up cases by name or docket number. Ocean County uses the code "15" in family case docket numbers. A family matrimonial case starts with "FM-15" followed by the case number and filing year.
Online searches show basic case data for free. You can see party names, filing dates, and case status. Full case documents are not available online. To get copies, fill out form CN 10200 from the Superior Court Clerk's Office. For open cases, contact the Ocean County court. For closed and archived cases, the Clerk's Office in Trenton handles requests.
You can also submit documents electronically through JEDS, the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system. It is available around the clock for filings that cannot go through eCourts.
Note: If you do not have a docket number, call the Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100 for help finding Brick Township family court records.
Divorce Records in Brick Township
Divorce is the most common type of family court record in Brick Township. To file, at least one spouse must be a New Jersey resident for 12 months under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10. The filing fee is $300. Filing without a lawyer adds a $25 surcharge. Most people use the no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2.
Divorce records from Brick Township are only released to parties or their attorneys. A court order is needed for anyone else. Certified copies of a final judgment cost $25 for the first, with extras at $2 each. The NJ Department of Health issues separate divorce certificates for $25 through the Office of Vital Statistics. Certificates show basic facts only. The judgment has all the terms.
Brick Township Custody and Support
Custody and child support cases for Brick Township go to the Ocean County Family Division. The court decides custody based on the child's best interest. Both parents can seek joint or sole custody. Support is calculated using New Jersey Child Support Guidelines. The guidelines look at both parents' income and the costs of raising children.
The NJ Child Support hotline at 1-877-655-4371 answers questions about payments and enforcement. Probation services in Ocean County handle collection. If a parent does not pay, the court can use wage garnishment and other tools to enforce the order.
To change an existing custody or support order, file a motion to modify with the Ocean County court. You must show that circumstances have changed since the last order. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center provides forms and instructions for filing on your own.
Domestic Violence and Juvenile Cases
Domestic violence cases in Brick Township go through the Ocean County Family Division. Victims can get a temporary restraining order at any time of day. During court hours, file at the courthouse in Toms River. After hours, contact the Brick Township police. A final restraining order hearing is set within ten days. These records are not public under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33. Call the NJ Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-7233 for free help at any time.
Juvenile records are confidential. They are sealed under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60. Only authorized parties can view them. Guardianship and adoption records also have strict access rules. Adoption records are sealed under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52, and a court order is required for access.
Note: Under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act, custodians must respond to records requests within seven business days, but family court records have many exemptions from public access.
Record Copy Fees for Brick Township
Fees for copies of Brick Township family court records follow the statewide schedule. Plain copies cost $0.05 per letter-size page and $0.07 per legal-size page. Certified copies cost $15 per document. Adding a seal of the court costs $10. Exemplified copies cost $50 plus plain copy fees. Payment is by check or money order payable to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Cash is accepted in person only at the courthouse.
If you cannot afford the fees, you may apply for a fee waiver. Ask the court clerk for the Fee Waiver Application form. You must show proof that you qualify, such as receiving public assistance.
Ocean County Family Court Records
Brick Township is in Ocean County. All family court filings go through the Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River. The county court serves every municipality in the county. For more details on court services, fees, and resources, visit the Ocean County family court records page.