Ocean County Birth Records
Ocean County lies along the Jersey Shore with about 650,000 residents spread across 33 towns. The county seat is Toms River. Lakewood, one of the largest townships in all of New Jersey, is also in Ocean County. Each of the 33 towns has its own registrar who keeps birth records for births in that town. You can also get Ocean County birth records through the state vital records office. This guide covers where to go, what to bring, and how the process works.
Ocean County Quick Facts
Ocean County Clerk and Birth Records
The Ocean County Clerk is Scott M. Colabella. His office is at 118 Washington Street in Toms River, NJ 08754. The phone is 732-929-2018. The Ocean County Clerk website has details on land records, elections, and other county-level services. The clerk does not issue birth records. For a birth record, you go to the local town registrar or the state office in Trenton.
The Ocean County Clerk office in Toms River handles county records and can point you to the right office for birth records.
Scott M. Colabella serves as Ocean County Clerk at the 118 Washington Street office in Toms River.
| County Clerk |
Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella 118 Washington Street Toms River, NJ 08754 Phone: (732) 929-2018 |
|---|---|
| Birth Records | Contact local town registrar or State Office of Vital Statistics |
| Website | oceancountyclerk.com |
Ocean County Birth Record Registrars
Ocean County has 33 towns. Every one of them has a local registrar. The registrar logs births and keeps those records. The NJ Department of Health registrar list for Ocean County shows all 33 offices. This is the first place to look when you need to track down a birth record in Ocean County.
The three biggest towns in Ocean County are Lakewood, Toms River, and Brick. Lakewood Township has about 100,000 people. It is one of the largest townships in all of New Jersey. The Lakewood clerk keeps birth records at 732-364-2500. Toms River Township, the county seat, has about 95,000 residents. Their clerk is at 732-341-1000. Brick Township has about 75,000 people and handles birth records at 732-262-1000.
Other Ocean County towns include Barnegat, Berkeley, Jackson, Lacey, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach, Manchester, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, and Stafford. Shore towns like Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant have their own clerks just like the larger inland towns. Each registrar keeps records only for births in that town.
Getting Birth Records in Ocean County
There are four ways to get an Ocean County birth record. You can visit the local town clerk, go to the state walk-in office, send a mail request, or order through VitalChek by phone or online.
The local town clerk is often the fastest choice for Ocean County birth records. Call the town where the birth took place. Ask for the registrar or clerk. They will tell you what to bring and how long it takes. Some towns handle requests the same day. Others may need a day or two. The fee is $25 for a certified copy. Each extra copy costs $2 when ordered at the same time.
The state walk-in center at 140 E. Front Street in Trenton also gives same-day service. The NJ Office of Vital Statistics runs this center. It has birth records from 1925 to now for all of New Jersey. The drive from Toms River to Trenton takes about an hour and a half. Bring a photo ID and $25. The NJ ordering guide spells out what you need.
For mail orders, use Form REG-27A. Send it to PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. Include a check for $25 made out to "Treasurer, State of NJ" and a copy of your ID. Mail takes 8 to 12 weeks. VitalChek orders go through 877-622-7549 or their site. VitalChek adds its own fee.
Note: The local town clerk in Ocean County is often the quickest source for a birth record if you know the town of birth.
Who Can Request Ocean County Birth Records
Birth records in New Jersey are not public. The state keeps them closed under Title 26. This means not just anyone can walk in and get a copy. The rules apply across Ocean County and the rest of the state.
Those who can get a certified copy of an Ocean County birth record are:
- The person named on the record
- A parent listed on the record
- A legal guardian
- An attorney with written consent from the client
- A person with a court order
Bring a government photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. You also need proof of your link to the person on the birth record. The NJ vital records FAQ explains the rules in plain terms. If you are not sure whether you qualify, call 1-866-649-8726 and ask.
Birth Records in Major Ocean County Towns
Lakewood is the most populous town in Ocean County. With about 100,000 people, it has one of the busiest registrar offices in the county. The Lakewood clerk handles a high number of birth records each year. Call 732-364-2500 for birth record requests in Lakewood.
Toms River is the county seat and the second-largest town. The clerk at 732-341-1000 manages birth records for the township. Brick Township, with 75,000 residents, rounds out the top three. Jackson Township is another large inland town in Ocean County with its own registrar. These four towns account for a large share of all births in Ocean County.
The NJ Department of Health maintains the full list of Ocean County registrars for birth records.
All 33 Ocean County municipalities are listed with their local registrar contacts for birth records.
Shore towns like Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant, and Long Beach have smaller numbers but still keep their own birth records. Berkeley, Stafford, Manchester, and Lacey are mid-size towns with active registrar offices. Little Egg Harbor and Barnegat serve the southern part of Ocean County. Every town, big or small, keeps its own birth records at the local level.
Historical Ocean County Birth Records
New Jersey has recorded births since 1848. Ocean County birth records from before 1925 are held at the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton. The archives is at 225 West State Street, Level 2. You need an appointment. These older records are useful for family research tied to Ocean County.
Birth records from 1925 on are at the state vital records office, also in Trenton. The CDC vital records page for New Jersey lists the address and the toll-free number, 1-866-649-8726. Between the archives and the state office, Ocean County birth records span close to 180 years. If you are building a family tree with roots in Ocean County, these two offices in Trenton are your main stops.
Note: Birth records from 1848 through 1924 for Ocean County are at the State Archives, which requires an appointment to visit.
Ocean County Adoptee Birth Records
Adoptees born in Ocean County can seek their original birth certificate. New Jersey changed the rules in 2015. If your adoption was made final on or after August 1, 2015, you can request the original record as an adult. Older adoptions may still need a court order.
The NJ adoptee birth record page walks through the steps. You will need to fill out forms and prove your identity. The process can take weeks. Plan ahead if you need an original Ocean County birth record as an adoptee. The NJ vital records contact page has the phone number if you have questions about the adoptee process.
Cities in Ocean County
Ocean County has 33 municipalities. Each keeps birth records at the local clerk level. The four largest are Lakewood, Toms River, Brick, and Jackson.
Other Ocean County towns include Barnegat, Berkeley, Lacey, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach, Manchester, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Stafford, and many more shore and inland communities. All keep birth records at their local registrar office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Ocean County. If the birth took place near a county line, confirm which town it was in. Birth records are kept at the town level in New Jersey.