Marriage records in Ocean County, New Jersey, are available through several channels: online tools, the county clerk's office, in-person visits, or mail requests. OceanCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, certified copies are issued by the Ocean County Clerk, and historical records are stored in the New Jersey State Archives. Below is a practical guide for searching, ordering, and obtaining marriage documents.
Ocean Marriage Records Search
In the state of New Jersey, marriage licenses are issued and registered by the County Clerk. In Ocean County, this function is performed by the Ocean County Clerk's Office, located in Toms River. The collection includes marriage licenses issued in the county, registered marriage certificates, as well as early marriage records (marriage returns) dating back to 1795.
Modern records begin in 1848 when the state introduced mandatory registration. For older documents, it is worth contacting the county government records archive, which holds early marriage returns for the period 1795–1878. Current records are maintained electronically, and the clerk can search by spouses' names and marriage date.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Ocean
Fees for marriage documents in New Jersey are established by state law (N.J.S.A. 26:8-74 and related regulations). Below is a table of the main fees charged by the Ocean County Clerk:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10.00 |
| Additional certified copy (in the same order) | $5.00 |
| Record search fee | Included in the copy cost |
Orders through the NJ Department of Health (for records registered at the state level after June 1878) may have a different fee structure. Processing time for in-person requests is usually the same day; mail requests are processed within a few weeks.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Ocean
There are three main ways to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in Ocean County.
Online
The state of New Jersey offers online ordering through the NJ Department of Health — Vital Records portal. For records registered after June 1878, you can use the VitalChek service, an authorized state partner. Additionally, the official Ocean County government website provides contact information for the clerk to clarify the procedure for submitting electronic requests.
In Person
Visit the Ocean County Clerk's Office at the address provided above. No appointment is necessary. Bring a photo ID. A copy is usually issued within a few minutes if the record is in the database.
By Mail
Send a request to the county clerk's address. Include in the envelope:
- A written request specifying the full names of the spouses and the approximate date of marriage.
- A copy of the applicant's ID.
- A check or money order for $10.00, made payable to "Ocean County Clerk".
- A self-addressed stamped envelope.
To obtain court records related to marriage (e.g., annulments), contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Divorce records are available separately — through the NJ Department of Health or the New Jersey court portal.