Ocean County Inmate Booking Search
Ocean County runs its jail at 114 Hooper Avenue in Toms River. The facility processes all arrests from across this large coastal county. Each arrest generates a 72 hour booking record that enters the public file. The Sheriff's Office provides a searchable online database for inmate lookups. You can also call or visit in person to get booking data. Ocean County accepts formal OPRA requests for records that are not available through the online tool. This page explains every method.
Ocean County Quick Facts
Ocean County Inmate Lookup Online
Ocean County offers a searchable inmate database on its website. You can look up records by name, booking number, or county ID. The tool has an option to include released inmates, which broadens your results.
Results show custody status, charges, booking details, and bond information. The tool is free and does not require registration. It updates on a regular cycle, so new 72 hour booking records in Ocean County appear soon after intake is complete. For phone inquiries, call (732) 929-2043 during business hours. Staff can answer basic questions about an inmate's status.
The NJ Courts case search offers a separate view of Ocean County criminal cases. It shows court dates, charges, pleas, and dispositions. Between the two tools, you can track a case from the 72 hour booking through its outcome in court.
72 Hour Booking at the Ocean County Jail
The Ocean County Jail is at 114 Hooper Avenue in Toms River. The phone number is (732) 929-2137. All arrests in Ocean County end up here for processing.
During intake, officers record the person's identity, take fingerprints, and snap a booking photo. They log each charge and set the initial bond. A county ID is assigned. All of this forms the 72 hour booking record for Ocean County. The jail handles bookings from Toms River, Lakewood, Brick, Jackson, and every other town in the county. Volume shifts with the seasons, as Ocean County sees more activity during the summer months along the shore.
The Ocean County Corrections visitation page provides details on visiting rules and schedules.
The Sheriff's Office is located at 120 Hooper Avenue in Toms River, NJ 08753. The main number is (732) 929-2044. The Prosecutor's Office is at 119 Hooper Avenue and can be reached at (732) 929-2027.
| Jail |
114 Hooper Avenue Toms River, NJ Phone: (732) 929-2137 |
|---|---|
| Sheriff |
120 Hooper Avenue Toms River, NJ 08753 Phone: (732) 929-2044 |
| Superior Court |
118 Washington Street Toms River, NJ Phone: (732) 929-2042 |
Ocean County Jail Visitation Rules
Ocean County uses a video visitation system. Visits are held Monday through Friday from 6 PM to 10 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 8 AM to 3 PM. No visits on holidays. You must preregister, and there is a 48-hour wait after you sign up before your first visit.
Each inmate gets two visits per week. Each visit lasts 15 minutes. All visitors need a valid photo ID. No personal items are allowed inside. Visitors must clear a metal detector and thermal scanner. You must be 18 or older unless you are married to the inmate or accompanied by a parent.
Former inmates face a restriction. If you were released from the Ocean County Jail, you cannot visit for one year after your release date. This rule applies to all former inmates regardless of the reason for their stay.
Note: Visit schedules at the Ocean County Jail can change, so confirm the hours before you go.
Sending Mail and Funds to Ocean County Inmates
You can send mail to inmates at the Ocean County Jail. Address it to the inmate's name and ID number at Ocean County Jail, PO Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754. Use plain white paper and pen ink only. The jail does not accept greeting cards, drawings, stickers, or personal photos.
Books are allowed but must come straight from the publisher with a packing slip. The jail does not accept books from Amazon or similar retail sites.
To add money to an inmate's account, you have three options:
- Use the kiosks in the jail lobby or Public Info Office with cash, debit, or credit
- Go online at www.accesscorrections.com
- Call 1-866-345-1884
The jail does not accept money orders, personal checks, or cash sent by mail. Only the methods listed above work for deposits in Ocean County.
Ocean County Jail Phone System
The Ocean County Jail uses the GTL phone system. Inmates can make calls, but there are time limits on each one. Charges are billed to your local phone company. Set up an account with GTL if you expect regular calls from an inmate at the Ocean County facility.
Filing an OPRA Request in Ocean County
Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, you have the right to request booking records from Ocean County. The Open Public Records Act applies to all government records, including 72 hour booking data held by the Sheriff's Office.
Send your OPRA request by email to OCSheriffOpraRequests@co.ocean.nj.us or by fax to 732-349-1909. Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, the county has seven business days to respond. Include the person's name, date of birth, or booking number so staff can find the file quickly.
The Ocean County Clerk is at 118 Washington Street, Room 107, Toms River, NJ 08754. Phone: (732) 929-2018. The Clerk handles property records, liens, and other public filings. For booking records specifically, direct your request to the Sheriff's OPRA email above.
If Ocean County denies your request, you can appeal to the Government Records Council. The GRC handles disputes at no cost and can order the county to release records if the denial was not proper.
Exempt Records in Ocean County
Some booking records are not public. Medical and mental health data collected during intake is kept private. Social Security numbers are redacted. Records tied to active investigations may be withheld if release would harm the case.
Juvenile records are sealed. Expunged records are also removed from public view under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1. Once a court grants an expungement, the 72 hour booking record and all related files in Ocean County are sealed. They will not appear in the online lookup or through an OPRA request. Records maintained under N.J.A.C. 10A:31-6.5 may carry further limits on what Ocean County can share.
The VINELink system tracks inmate custody status statewide. You can register to get alerts when an inmate's status changes in Ocean County. The tool is free and works by phone, email, or text.
Cities in Ocean County
Ocean County has 33 municipalities spread across a large area along the coast and inland. All bookings from these towns go through the county jail in Toms River. The following city pages are available.
Other Ocean County towns include Barnegat, Berkeley Township, Manchester Township, Stafford Township, Point Pleasant, and Seaside Heights. All arrests from these places produce booking records at the county jail.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Ocean County. If you are unsure where an arrest took place, check the neighboring county pages below.