Ocean County Family Court Records
Ocean County family court records are filed and stored at the Superior Court, Family Division in Toms River. This large coastal county is part of Vicinage 9, which it shares with Monmouth County. The Family Division handles divorce filings, custody cases, child support matters, domestic violence orders, juvenile cases, and guardianship proceedings for all Ocean County residents. You can search for family court records at the courthouse on Hooper Avenue or through state online tools. The county seat is Toms River, and all family court cases for Ocean County go through this location.
Ocean County Quick Facts
Ocean County Family Division Office
The Family Division of the Superior Court in Ocean County handles all family court records. This office is at 120 Hooper Avenue, Room 210, in Toms River. Staff process new filings and keep records of all cases. You can call the Family Division at 732-504-0700 ext. 64050 for case questions. The main courthouse, the Ocean County Justice Complex, is at 118 Washington Street in Toms River.
The Ocean County Vicinage is part of Vicinage 9, which also covers Monmouth County. This shared structure means both counties fall under the same court leadership. However, each county runs its own Family Division office. All family court records for Ocean County stay in Toms River. The Family Division Manager oversees daily work and staff at this location. Cases filed here include divorce, custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence, juvenile matters, and guardianship.
Visit the Ocean County Vicinage page for court contact details and hours.
The court is open Monday through Friday. Staff can help you file new cases or find old records. Bring your ID when you visit. If you plan to get copies, bring cash or a check made out to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Call ahead to check hours before you go to the Ocean County courthouse.
| Court |
Ocean County Superior Court Family Division 120 Hooper Avenue, Room 210 Toms River, NJ 08753 Phone: 732-504-0700 ext. 64050 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov/courts/vicinages/ocean |
How to Search Ocean County Family Court Records
You can search family court records in Ocean County online or in person. The New Jersey Courts website has a free Find a Case tool. This lets you look up civil case records by name or docket number. It covers cases across all 21 counties, including Ocean County. Basic case details show up in the search results at no cost.
For full documents or certified copies of family court records, visit the courthouse in Toms River. The Family Division staff can pull your file and make copies. You need a docket number or the full names of the parties. Older cases may take more time to find. Ocean County divorce cases filed up to and including 2011 are stored at the Records Imaging Center in Trenton. Cases filed after 2011 are at the Family Division in Toms River. You can submit a Records Request Form (CN 10200) to get copies of archived Ocean County family court records.
To search in person, you need the following:
- Full name of a party in the case
- Case docket number if you have it
- Year the case was filed
- Valid photo ID
Note: Divorce documents are only released to a party in the case or their attorney, unless you have a court order.
Ocean County Clerk and Court Records
The Ocean County Clerk handles marriage licenses, property deeds, and other recorded documents. This office is separate from the Family Division, but the records may connect. For example, you might need a marriage certificate when filing for divorce. Or a deed may change hands after a divorce settlement in Ocean County.
The clerk can also help with name change orders that come from family court cases. If a judge grants a name change in a divorce, you may need the clerk to update other records. The Ocean County Clerk office and the Family Division work in the same county but serve different roles. Family court records stay with the court, not the clerk.
Family Court Case Types in Ocean County
The Family Division in Ocean County handles many types of cases. Each creates its own set of records. The court uses specific docket prefixes to sort case types. For Ocean County, the county code is 15. A divorce case might have a docket like FM-15-XXXXX.
Divorce and dissolution cases make up a large share of the family court docket. These include contested and uncontested divorces, annulments, and post-judgment motions. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, New Jersey allows both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. Most cases in Ocean County use the no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences.
Custody and parenting time cases are common in Ocean County. Parents can file for sole or joint custody. The court looks at the best interest of the child when making these decisions. Child support cases set payment amounts based on state guidelines. Paternity cases establish a legal father for a child. These records are part of the family court system in Ocean County.
Domestic violence cases fall under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. The court can issue temporary and final restraining orders. These records have extra privacy protections under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33. Juvenile cases and guardianship matters also go through the Family Division in Ocean County.
Note: Adoption records in New Jersey are sealed under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52 and require a court order to access.
Ocean County Family Court Fees
Ocean County follows the standard New Jersey fee schedule for all family court filings. The cost to file a new divorce complaint is $300. If you file without a lawyer, there is a $25 pro se surcharge. Motion fees, copy fees, and certification fees also apply.
The main fees for family court records in Ocean County are:
- Divorce complaint filing: $300
- Pro se surcharge: $25
- Certified copy of divorce judgment: $25
- Plain copies: $0.05 per page
- Seal of the Court: $10
If you have low income, you can apply for a fee waiver. The court has forms for this. Ask the Family Division clerk in Ocean County for the Fee Waiver Application. Payment is by check or money order made out to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Cash is accepted in person only at the Ocean County courthouse.
Public Access to Ocean County Records
Family court records in Ocean County are generally public under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1). Anyone can request to view most court files. You do not have to be a party to the case. However, Rule 1:38 lists 38 exceptions to public access. Thirty of these relate to family and criminal matters.
Records that are not public in Ocean County include juvenile delinquency files, domestic violence reports, confidential litigant information sheets, and adoption records. Medical and psychological records used in custody or support cases are also protected. Family Case Information Statements are only available to parties and their attorneys. If you need a sealed record, you must file a motion and show good cause to the court.
You can file an OPRA request for records held by government agencies. The custodian must respond within seven business days. For court records, contact the Ocean County Family Division directly or use the Records Request Form.
Ocean County Government Resources
The Ocean County government portal provides links to many county services. You can find information on the county clerk, surrogate, sheriff, and other offices. These offices may hold records that connect to family court cases in Ocean County.
The Ocean County Surrogate handles probate and guardianship matters that overlap with family court. The Sheriff can serve court papers in family cases. If you need help with a family court matter in Ocean County, the NJ Courts Self-Help Center has forms, kits, and guides for self-represented litigants. Resources cover divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases.
Note: The Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100 can help locate docket numbers for archived Ocean County family court records.
Cities in Ocean County
Ocean County has over 30 municipalities. All family court cases for these towns go through the Superior Court, Family Division in Toms River. The courthouse serves every resident of Ocean County.
Other municipalities in Ocean County include Point Pleasant, Barnegat, Stafford Township, Manchester Township, and Berkeley Township. All of these file family court cases at the Ocean County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Ocean County. If you are not sure which county handles your family court case, check the address where you live. You must file in the correct county for the court to have jurisdiction.