Atlantic County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Atlantic County?
Public records in Atlantic County are defined under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., as government records made, maintained, kept on file, or received in the course of official business by any government agency. These records are generally available for public inspection and copying, with certain exceptions as provided by law.
Atlantic County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
- Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
The Atlantic County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including property records, business filings, and election information. Court records are maintained by the New Jersey Courts Atlantic Vicinage. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are typically maintained by the Atlantic County Office of Vital Statistics.
Each record type is maintained by specific departments within the county government structure. For example, tax records are maintained by the Atlantic County Board of Taxation, while land use records are kept by the Atlantic County Department of Regional Planning and Development.
Is Atlantic County an Open Records County?
Atlantic County fully complies with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., which establishes the state's framework for public access to government records. Under this statute, all government records are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
The statute specifically states that "government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this State, with certain exceptions, for the protection of the public interest." This provision underscores New Jersey's commitment to transparency in government operations.
Atlantic County has implemented policies and procedures in accordance with OPRA to facilitate public access to records. The county also adheres to the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and properly noticed.
The Atlantic County Board of Commissioners has established an official records access policy that outlines procedures for requesting and obtaining public records. This policy is designed to ensure compliance with state law while providing efficient service to requestors.
How to Find Public Records in Atlantic County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Atlantic County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county has established streamlined procedures to facilitate public access to government records.
For general county records, individuals may submit an OPRA request to the appropriate records custodian. The process typically involves the following steps:
- Complete an official OPRA request form, available on the Atlantic County website
- Submit the form to the specific department that maintains the desired records
- Provide a clear description of the records being requested
- Allow up to seven business days for a response, as required by law
- Arrange for inspection or copying of the records once approved
For court records, requestors may access the New Jersey Courts public portal to search for case information. More detailed court records may require an in-person visit to the Atlantic County Courthouse.
Atlantic County Courthouse
5901 Main Street
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
609-625-7000
New Jersey Courts
Property records can be accessed through the Atlantic County Clerk's Office, which maintains a searchable online database for recent records. Older records may require an in-person visit.
Atlantic County Clerk's Office
5901 Main Street
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
609-625-4011
Atlantic County Clerk
Vital records requests must be submitted to the municipality where the event occurred or to the Atlantic County Office of Vital Statistics for events that occurred in unincorporated areas.
Atlantic County Office of Vital Statistics
201 South Shore Road
Northfield, NJ 08225
609-645-5933
Atlantic County Vital Statistics
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Atlantic County?
Atlantic County follows the fee structure established by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5. The current standard fees for public records are as follows:
- Paper copies: $0.05 per letter-size page or smaller
- Paper copies: $0.07 per legal-size page or larger
- Electronic records: No charge when records are transmitted electronically
- Special service charges: May apply for extraordinary time or effort
- Certified copies: Additional fees may apply (varies by document type)
The county accepts payment by cash, check, or money order. Some departments may also accept credit card payments for certain transactions.
Fee waivers are available in limited circumstances, particularly for requests that serve the public interest. Government agencies, educational institutions, and news media organizations may qualify for fee waivers under certain conditions.
It is important to note that specialized records may have different fee structures established by specific statutes. For example:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $25 per certified copy
- Property records: Fees vary based on document type and length
- Court records: Standard copying fees plus potential search fees
The Atlantic County Clerk's Office maintains a complete fee schedule for records under its jurisdiction, while court record fees are established by the New Jersey Courts.
Does Atlantic County Have Free Public Records?
Atlantic County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act. Members of the public may examine non-exempt records during regular business hours without charge, though fees apply for copies as detailed in the previous section.
Several free online resources are available to access certain Atlantic County public records:
- The Atlantic County website provides free access to meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and various reports
- The New Jersey Courts public portal offers free access to basic case information
- The Atlantic County Clerk's Office provides a free online index of recorded documents
- The Atlantic County Board of Elections offers free voter information and election results
For in-person inspection of physical records, visitors may use the public terminals and research areas available at various county offices at no charge. Staff assistance for basic record location is typically provided without fee, though extensive research assistance may incur special service charges.
The Atlantic County Library System also provides free public access to computers where residents can access online county records and resources.
Atlantic County Library System - Mays Landing Branch
40 Farragut Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
609-625-2776
Atlantic County Library System
Who Can Request Public Records in Atlantic County?
Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, any person may request access to government records in Atlantic County. The law specifically states that requestors are not required to:
- Be a resident of New Jersey
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- State a reason or purpose for the request
- Complete a specific form (though using the official OPRA form is recommended)
Government agencies in Atlantic County may not deny access to records based on the requestor's identity, purpose, or intended use of the records, except in specific circumstances prescribed by law.
For certain restricted records, such as vital records or records containing personal information, requestors may need to demonstrate a direct interest or legal entitlement to access the information. For example:
- Birth certificates are available only to the individual named on the record, their parent/guardian, spouse, child, legal representative, or those who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest
- Criminal history information may have restricted access based on state and federal laws
- Medical records require proper authorization from the patient or legal representative
Non-residents of New Jersey have the same rights to access public records as residents under OPRA. However, certain specialized records governed by other statutes may have residency requirements.
When requesting your own records versus those of another person, different identification requirements may apply. Requests for personal information about oneself typically require proper identification to protect privacy and prevent identity theft.
What Records Are Confidential in Atlantic County?
While the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) establishes a presumption of access to government records, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 exempts numerous categories of records from public disclosure. In Atlantic County, the following types of records are generally considered confidential:
- Criminal investigatory records
- Victims' records, except for specific parties authorized by law
- Trade secrets and proprietary commercial or financial information
- Deliberative material (pre-decisional records used in decision-making)
- Personnel and pension records (with limited exceptions)
- Information which, if disclosed, would give an advantage to competitors
- Computer security information
- Emergency or security information or procedures
- Building, facility, or structural vulnerability assessments
- Security measures and surveillance techniques
- Information that would jeopardize building, facility, or person security
- Social security numbers, credit card numbers, unlisted phone numbers
- Driver's license numbers and other personal identifying information
- Certain records of higher education institutions
- Biotechnology trade secrets
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile records
- Ongoing investigation records
- Attorney-client privileged materials
- Records protected by other statutes or court rules
Additionally, records may be withheld if disclosure would substantially interfere with the state's ability to protect and defend the state and its citizens against acts of sabotage or terrorism, or which, if disclosed, would materially increase the risk or consequences of potential acts of sabotage or terrorism.
Atlantic County applies a balancing test in cases where privacy concerns must be weighed against the public interest in disclosure. Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, agencies must safeguard from public access a citizen's personal information when disclosure would violate the citizen's reasonable expectation of privacy.
Atlantic County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Atlantic County Clerk's Office
5901 Main Street, Room 102
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
609-625-4011
Atlantic County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays
The Atlantic County Clerk's Office serves as the county's official recorder of deeds and other documents. This office is responsible for recording, filing, and preserving various legal documents including:
- Deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Maps and subdivisions
- Business trade names
- Military discharges
- Notary public commissions
- Election records
The office provides certified copies of recorded documents upon request. Members of the public may conduct research using the public access terminals available during regular business hours. The Clerk's Office also maintains an online records search system for recent documents.
For specialized assistance or complex research needs, staff members are available during business hours. It is recommended that individuals with extensive research requirements call ahead to ensure appropriate resources are available.
The Atlantic County Clerk also maintains a satellite office for limited services:
Atlantic County Clerk's Office - Atlantic City Branch
1333 Atlantic Avenue, 1st Floor
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609-345-6700
Atlantic County Clerk
Satellite Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays