OCEAN COUNTY – With public access to many county government offices closed or restricted due to the ongoing pandemic, the Ocean County Surrogate and County Clerk offices have added additional online access to many of their records.
Surrogate Jeffrey W. Moran said, “we’ve upgraded our office with new technology designed to make our operation more efficient and also allow this new level of access.
“Ocean County is now one of only two counties in New Jersey that offer this level of online public access,” Moran added.
The Surrogate has implemented new systems that permit the public to access online nearly all records not otherwise sealed by law and this includes the record indices, and decedent’s estates records such as probated wills, executor appointments and administrator appointments.
“This initiative will allow the public to review our records from the comfort of their living room. Despite our building being closed to the public, we are fully operational via telephone, mail and email. This new online component will further advance our ability to serve the public,” Moran said.
He thanked the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari for supporting the upgrade. Vicari, who is also liaison to the Surrogate’s Office, said Ocean County Government remains open and accessible, despite the COVID-19 restrictions.
“Our offices are fully staffed and available via telephone and online to serve our residents’ needs,” Vicari said.
Surrogate records are available by visiting the Ocean County Surrogate’s website at: co.ocean.nj.us/OC/surrogate/. Those with questions should call 732-929-2011.
The Ocean County Clerk’s Office also allows the public to access records remotely and conduct online land record searches.
“The entire process is fast and simple. Any person can locate a document on record with the County Clerk at oceancountyclerk.com and can immediately call up the image on a computer monitor,” said Ocean County Clerk Scott Colabella.
The Clerk’s Office also offers electronic recording to help avoid delays, eliminate errors, and speed-up the recording and filing of documents, said Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director Gary Quinn, liaison to the County Clerk’s office.
This secured electronic recording of Land Record documents is designed to support a wide range of submitters, including banks, law firms, mortgage lenders, and title companies.
Quinn said, “we will do everything we possibly can to assist the public during this pandemic and we look forward to opening our doors and serving the public in person again as soon as possible.”
