Atlantic County Public Records Search
Atlantic County holds a broad range of public records at its offices in Mays Landing. The county was formed from Gloucester County on February 7, 1837, and its seat of government has been in Mays Landing since then. Residents and researchers can search for deeds, mortgages, liens, wills, and other recorded documents through the Atlantic County Clerk. Online access covers records from March 2000 to the present. Older records are stored on microfilm and in bound volumes at the clerk office. You can also visit the satellite office in Atlantic City for some services. This guide covers how to find and obtain Atlantic County public records.
Atlantic County Clerk Office
The Atlantic County Clerk is the main custodian of public records in the county. Joseph J. Giralo serves as the current County Clerk. The main office is at 5901 Main Street in Mays Landing. You can call the office at (609) 625-4011 for questions about records. A satellite office at 1333 Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City handles some services as well. The clerk office records and files deeds, mortgages, liens, trade names, and other legal documents for Atlantic County.
The Atlantic County Clerk website provides details on services, hours, and fees for public records requests.
The clerk office also handles passport applications, notary commissions, and election services. For public records, the recording division is where you file or retrieve documents. Walk-in visitors can search records during regular business hours. Staff can assist with locating specific filings in Atlantic County.
| Office |
Atlantic County Clerk 5901 Main Street Mays Landing, NJ 08330 Phone: (609) 625-4011 |
|---|---|
| Satellite |
1333 Atlantic Avenue Atlantic City, NJ |
Search Atlantic County Records Online
Atlantic County offers an online records search tool through the NewVision system. This covers documents recorded from March 1, 2000 forward. You can search by name, document type, or recording date. The system is free to use for basic index searches. It returns book and page numbers, recording dates, and party names for matching records in Atlantic County.
Visit the Atlantic County online records portal to start a search. Enter a last name or business name to find recorded documents. You can narrow results by date range or document type. Property deeds, mortgages, and liens are all included in this database. The system covers over two decades of Atlantic County public records.
Records filed before March 2000 are not in the online system. You must visit the clerk office in Mays Landing to search older Atlantic County records. These are kept on microfilm and in physical books.
Note: The online portal shows index information only; certified copies must be obtained from the clerk office in person or by mail.
Property Records in Atlantic County
Property records are among the most requested public records in Atlantic County. Every time real estate changes hands, a deed is recorded with the County Clerk. Mortgages, releases, and liens are also filed here. These records create a chain of title for each property in the county. Title companies, attorneys, and members of the public all use these filings.
To search Atlantic County property records, you can use the online portal for documents from 2000 onward. For older property records, the clerk office in Mays Landing has deed books and mortgage books going back to 1837. The New Jersey State Archives also holds historical Atlantic County records on microfilm, including Will Books from 1837 to 1922 and Orphans Court Minutes from the same period. These are spread across 34 reels of microfilm.
Atlantic County property records include several types of documents:
- Deeds transferring ownership of real estate
- Mortgages and mortgage discharges
- Tax sale certificates and redemptions
- Construction liens and lis pendens filings
- Easements and right-of-way agreements
Atlantic County Surrogate Records
The Atlantic County Surrogate handles probate and estate records. James Curcio is the current Surrogate. The main office is at 5911 Main Street in Mays Landing, and you can reach it at (609) 645-5800. A second office operates at 1201 Bacharach Boulevard in Atlantic City, with the phone number (609) 343-2341. The Surrogate processes wills, appoints executors, and issues letters of administration for estates in Atlantic County.
Probate records are public records in New Jersey. Anyone can request copies of filed wills, estate inventories, and court orders from the Atlantic County Surrogate. These records can be useful for genealogy research, property title work, and legal matters. The State Archives holds historical Atlantic County probate records as well, including Will Books from 1837 through 1922.
Foreclosure Sales in Atlantic County
Foreclosure sales are part of the public record in Atlantic County. The Sheriff handles these sales, which take place on a regular schedule. You can view upcoming and past foreclosure listings through the Atlantic County foreclosure sales portal. This site lists property addresses, sale dates, and case details for each foreclosure in the county.
The Atlantic County Sheriff office handles OPRA requests for law enforcement and foreclosure records. The office is at 4997 Unami Boulevard in Mays Landing. You can call (609) 909-7234 or email amici_tracy@aclink.org for records requests. All OPRA requests in New Jersey are governed by the Open Public Records Act. This law gives the public the right to access government records with limited exceptions.
Note: Foreclosure sale schedules can change without notice, so check the online listing before visiting in person.
How to Request Public Records
New Jersey's Open Public Records Act gives you the right to request records from Atlantic County offices. You can file an OPRA request with any county department. The Government Records Council oversees the OPRA process statewide. Each Atlantic County office has a records custodian who handles these requests.
To make a request, fill out an OPRA form and submit it to the correct office. You can do this in person, by mail, by fax, or by email in most cases. The office must respond within seven business days. They can provide records, deny the request with an explanation, or ask for more time. If your request is denied, you can file a complaint with the Government Records Council or take the matter to court.
The New Jersey Courts public access page provides information about court records that are available to the public. Court filings, judgments, and case information for Atlantic County are accessible through the courts system. Some records require a visit to the courthouse, while others can be found online.
Historical Records for Atlantic County
Atlantic County has a rich collection of historical records. The New Jersey State Archives preserves many of these on microfilm. The collection includes 34 reels covering Atlantic County records. Will Books span from 1837 to 1922. Orphans Court Minutes cover the same period. These records are valuable for genealogy and local history research.
Researchers can access State Archives materials in Trenton or request copies by mail. The State Archives county records catalog lists all available Atlantic County holdings. Local libraries and historical societies in Atlantic County may also have copies of some records on microfilm. The Atlantic County Library in Mays Landing has a local history section with additional resources.