Ocean County Property Search
Ocean County property records are official records that carry details about real estate in the county. Usually, the records are created from property transactions occurring within the county or involving property situated in the county. The Ocean County Clerk serves as the official custodian of Ocean County property records.
A property search (a search of/for property records) has several benefits. For instance, a researcher can find out who legally owns a parcel or property by reviewing property records. An individual can also look up such records to find historical information (a previous owner's name or construction information, for example), assessment data, or settle disputes concerning property. Altogether, a property search enables the researcher, who may be a potential buyer or other party, to make informed decisions about a piece of real estate.
Ocean County property records from April 1977 to the current date are available through the Office of the County Clerk. Also, the Board of Taxation maintains some records related to real property in the county.
Are Ocean County Property Records Public?
Yes. Per N.J.S. 47:1A-1, property records can be accessed by the public in Ocean County, New Jersey. Ocean County property records qualify as "public records" under the law, as these records are created, collated, and maintained by public agencies while conducting public business.
Nevertheless, some records (or certain data within records) are classified and not attainable by members of the public. Examples include sensitive personal information, records restricted by court order, and financial statements.
What Do Ocean County Property Records Contain?
The contents of an Ocean County property record vary according to the document category and its custodian. For example, a deed from the Office of the County Clerk contains the following information:
- Instrument number
- Book/page
- Consideration
- Map number
- Grantor and grantee names
- Transaction Identification Number
- Submission date, book type, recording fee, realty transfer tax, total amount, document type, municipal codes, batch type
- Return address
Whereas one will find the following in a property tax record:
- Municipality, block/lot, owner's mailing address, city/state, location, property class
- Building and land description, additional lot, zone, map, year bit, book/page
- Sales price, non-usable codes, special tax code, exemption property code, status
- Deed date, land and improvement value, net value, last year's taxes, previous lot, block, initial file date, facility
- Market and assessed values
- Property details (type/use, design, roof material, foundation, heating source, electric, plumbing, fireplace, attic area, bedrooms, attached items, store height, roof type, exterior finish, basement, heat system, air conditioner, SFLA, unit floor area, detached items)
- Sales history (property location, block, book/page, grantee street, city, zip, sales price, assessment total, lot, deed date, grantor street, record date)
Where to Perform an Ocean County Property Lookup
An individual can perform an Ocean County property lookup through the Office of the County Clerk. The Clerk's office provides online and in-person avenues for retrieving Ocean County property records.
Online
The Clerk provides a search tool that individuals can use to view and print property records online. The system has public, free, and subscribed user search engines, which accept a variety of search queries (including name and instrument number). However, records provided online are not the official record. Researchers needing help accessing or searching Ocean County property records online can call the Clerk at (732) 929-2018.
In Person
A researcher can look up or print property records filed with the Clerk via a computer index at any of the Clerk's offices. The fee for requesting copies of property records varies by the type of document requested and number of pages. The Clerk's office accepts payments via money order, personal check, cashier's check, or cash. Inquirers can call the office at (732) 929-2053 for more details about accessing public property records.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Ocean County
As a result of the pending Daniel's Law redaction, the names of property owners in Ocean County are not available online through the Board of Taxation's search portal. However, an individual can visit the Tax Board's office within normal business hours to request ownership information.
Members of the public can also conduct a title search (search official records related to real estate ownership and transfer) at the Ocean County Clerk's courthouse location.
Ocean County Courthouse
118 Washington Street
Toms River
However, title searchers must book an appointment online beforehand.
It is worth noting that a municipal tax assessor's office may provide a means to obtain a list of property owners within the municipality. For example, the Tax Assessor's Office in the Township of Ocean provides a Certified Property Owners List Request Form that requesters can complete and submit to obtain a list of property owners within 200 feet of a local address. A minimum fee of $10 applies for the service, however.
How to Find Ocean County Property Records Online
Ocean County property records are available online through the County Clerk and Tax Board's property search websites.
Additionally, individuals can use property search tools on certain third-party websites to find Ocean County property records online. There are different criteria for accessing records on third-party sites. One may need to create a subscription account on some sites, and on others, records may be accessible for free. However, requesters often require a property address or party name to search property records on independent sites.
How to Find Property Owner by Address for Free
As stated, property owner names are not disseminated on the Ocean County Board of Taxation's website. As such, even if one conducts a property search by address at no cost using the Tax Board's search portal, no names will be returned to the inquirer. Persons who require an address search for property ownership records should contact or visit the Board during regular business hours.
Ocean County Property Tax Lookup
The Ocean County Board of Taxation provides property tax records to the public. Individuals can obtain tax information online or in person. Internet inquirers can access the Board's Tax Lists Search tool to find tax records. Meanwhile, in-person visits can be paid to the following address:
Ocean County Courthouse
118 Washington Street
Room 215
P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754-2191
Phone: (732) 929-2008
Individuals perform property tax searches for different reasons. For example, a person may obtain property tax records to look up a property's tax history or review assessed values in preparation for a tax appeal.
How to Find Ocean County Property Appraiser
Property appraisers calculate the fair market value of real estate. The New Jersey State Real Estate Appraiser Board certified appraisers operating in New Jersey. As such, a person looking for a licensed property appraiser in Ocean County can access the Board's License Verification System. The system provides a Person and Business Search to verify licensees and find local appraisers.
A roster bearing the names and details of certified appraisers in Ocean County can also be downloaded from the portal by following the system prompts.
Ocean County Property Assessor
The duty of an assessor (also called a tax assessor) in Ocean County is to value all real and personal property within their jurisdiction for assessment and taxation. The county's Tax Board provides a list of tax assessors within Ocean County, which members of the public can review to find the names and contact details of their local assessor's offices.
