About Atlantic County
Atlantic County is located in the southeastern portion of New Jersey along the Atlantic coast, including approximately 672 square miles with a population of roughly 274,000 residents as of recent census estimates. Atlantic County Seat is Mays Landing, which houses the main government center at 1333 Atlantic Avenue. Established in 1837 from portions of Gloucester County, Atlantic County is renowned worldwide for Mays Landing area City, one of America's premier gaming and entertainment destinations with its iconic Boardwalk and casino industry.
Beyond the resort city, Atlantic County includes 23 municipalities ranging from the historic colonial village of Smithville to the mainland communities of Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, and Hammonton, known as the 'Blueberry Capital of the World.' Atlantic County Clerk's Office, located at 1333 Mays Landing area Avenue in Mays Landing, maintains vital records, election administration, and certain business filings. Atlantic County Clerk's Office handles deed recordings and property instruments at the same government complex. Atlantic County Board of Taxation oversees property assessments and tax appeals.
Geographic features include portions of the Pinelands National Reserve, Great Egg Harbor River, and miles of barrier island coastline. Atlantic County's economy balances tourism, gaming, healthcare, aviation (Atlantic County City International Airport), agriculture, and increasingly diverse service sectors, making it one of New Jersey's most economically distinct regions.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Atlantic County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order throughout Atlantic County. It patrols unincorporated areas, manages Atlantic County Justice Facility, and processes arrests. The office also maintains criminal records and provides courthouse security.
Police Departments
Atlantic County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Atlantic County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Atlantic City Police Department, Egg Harbor Township Police Department, and Pleasantville Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective area, handling local law enforcement duties. These agencies often collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response throughout Atlantic County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 4997 Unami Boulevard in Mays Landing, New Jersey 08330, operates under Sheriff Eric Scheffler and provides law enforcement services including court security, warrant service, and civil process throughout Atlantic County. Atlantic County Justice Facility, located at 4997 Unami Boulevard in Mays Landing, serves as Atlantic County's main detention center.
- Inmate searches can be conducted online through Atlantic County website's inmate lookup portal or by calling.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting an OPRA request to the specific police department or Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office at 4997 Unami Boulevard, Mays Landing.
- Mugshots and booking photographs are generally available through Atlantic County Justice Facility's online inmate search system or by contacting the facility directly.
- Processing times for OPRA requests typically range from seven business days to extended periods if requests require substantial research, with some exemptions for active investigations or sealed juvenile records.
The facility houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates, with booking information typically including names, charges, bail amounts, and projected release dates. Municipal police departments operate in each of Atlantic County's 23 municipalities, including the Mays Landing area City Police Department, Egg Harbor Township Police, Pleasantville Police Department, Galloway Township Police, Hammonton Police, Brigantine Police, Ventnor City Police, Margate City Police, Linwood Police, Northfield Police, and departments in smaller boroughs. Arrest records in Atlantic County are public documents governed by New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (47:1A-1 et seq.), commonly known as OPRA.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Atlantic County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the New Jersey State Police, which provides full criminal history information. The New Jersey State Police also offers services for background checks, so that Atlantic County residents have access to necessary criminal record information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Atlantic County are maintained by Atlantic County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. Residents and attorneys can request these records through formal applications, often requiring identification and a fee. An arrest record in Atlantic County typically includes the individual's name, the nature of the charges, and the arresting agency. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) governs access to these records, for public access while protecting sensitive information.
Jail & Inmate Records
Atlantic County Justice Facility, located in Mays Landing, is the primary detention center for Atlantic County. The facility handles the booking process for people arrested in Atlantic County, where they are processed and held pending bail or court appearances. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring appointments and adherence to security protocols. The bond and bail process follows New Jersey state guidelines, allowing for release through cash bail or bond services.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Atlantic County are taken and retained by the arresting agency, typically Atlantic County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These booking photos are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through official channels. While some mugshots may be available online through law enforcement websites, New Jersey does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals may request removal through legal processes if applicable.
Courts & Case Records
Atlantic County's judicial operations are centered at Atlantic County Civil Courthouse at 1201 Bacharach Boulevard in Atlantic City and Atlantic County Criminal Courthouse at 4997 Unami Boulevard in Mays Landing. The Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic County Vicinage, handles all major civil matters (over $15,000), criminal indictable offenses, family court matters including divorce and child custody, probate and surrogate functions, and general equity jurisdiction. The court can be contacted through the office’s website, and case information is available through the New Jersey Judiciary's public access system.
- The New Jersey Judiciary provides online case lookup through the Promis/Gavel public access system at njcourts.gov, allowing searches by party name, case number, or attorney.
- Copies of court documents typically cost $0.05 per page for standard documents, with certified copies available for $5.00 plus copy fees.
- Online access through the judiciary portal is free for case status information, though certified copies and bulk data requests require in-person visits or formal requests to the court clerk's office.
Atlantic County Surrogate's Court, located at 1333 Atlantic County Avenue in Mays Landing (609-645-5800), handles probate matters, estate administration, and guardianship proceedings. Municipal courts operate in each of Atlantic County's municipalities, handling traffic violations, disorderly persons offenses, local ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings for indictable crimes. Access to most court records is governed by New Jersey Court Rule 1:38, which establishes public access to court records with specific exceptions for sealed cases, juvenile matters, and certain family court proceedings.
Property & Public Records
Atlantic County Clerk's Office, serving as the County Clerk, maintains all land records and property instruments at 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Mays Landing, NJ 08330 The Clerk's Office records deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens, lis pendens, easements, declarations, subdivision maps, and other documents affecting real property title in Atlantic County. Recording fees are established by New Jersey statute and typically run $50 for the first page and $5 for each additional page for most documents.
- Many recent documents are available for viewing and printing online without charge, though certified copies require in-person or mail requests with appropriate fees.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page plus the certification fee.
- The Clerk's Office accepts requests in person, by mail, or in some cases through the online portal for digital delivery.
The office maintains historical records dating back to Atlantic County's 1837 formation. Atlantic County offers online property record searching through its official land records portal accessible via Atlantic County website at Atlantic County-county.org, where users can search by name, block and lot, address, or document type. Property tax assessment records are maintained by Atlantic County Board of Taxation at 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Mays Landing (609-645-5836), which oversees municipal tax assessors and hears property tax appeals.
Individual municipal tax assessors maintain detailed property cards, assessment data, and tax payment records for properties within their jurisdictions. Atlantic County provides a full online GIS mapping and property information system through its website, allowing public access to parcel boundaries, ownership information, assessment data, sales history, and aerial photography.
Vital Records
Vital records for Atlantic County, New Jersey are maintained by both local and state authorities under New Jersey's vital statistics laws (26:8-1 et seq.). Birth certificates for births occurring in Atlantic County can be requested through Atlantic County Clerk's Office at 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Mays Landing, NJ 08330, phone, or through the New Jersey Department of Health, Vital Statistics Registration Unit in Trenton. Atlantic County Clerk maintains birth records and issues certified copies for births that occurred within Atlantic County.
- The current fee for a certified birth certificate is $25.00 for the first copy and $2.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.
- Death certificates are similarly available through Atlantic County Clerk's Office or the State Department of Health, with the same fee structure of $25.00 for the first certified copy.
- Processing times vary from same-day service for in-person requests to 2-4 weeks for mail requests, depending on record retrieval requirements.
- The State of New Jersey offers online ordering of vital records through the VitalChek service at newjersey.vitalchek.com for expedited processing with additional service fees.
Marriage licenses are issued by Atlantic County Clerk's Office and require both parties to appear in person with valid identification, proof of age, and Social Security numbers; the marriage license fee is $28.00, and there is a 72-hour waiting period after issuance before the ceremony can be performed. Divorce records and judgments are maintained by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic County Vicinage, Family Division, not by the County Clerk. Requesters must provide valid identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest in the record, as New Jersey restricts vital records access to registrants, family members, legal representatives, and those with court orders.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Atlantic County operates through multiple governmental levels. Atlantic County Clerk's Office at 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Mays Landing (609-645-5898) accepts trade name certificates and fictitious business name filings (doing-business-as or DBA registrations) as required under New Jersey law. These filings cost approximately $50 and must be renewed periodically.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and non-profit organizations, registration occurs through the New Jersey Department of Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (formerly Secretary of State business division). The state maintains a full online business entity search at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/businessrecords/ where anyyou can search registered business entities, view formation dates, registered agents, and business addresses free of charge. Professional and occupational licenses are issued by various New Jersey state licensing boards and the Division of Consumer Affairs, not at Atlantic County level.
Sales tax permits and employer identification for state tax purposes are handled by the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Local business licenses, zoning approvals, and certificates of occupancy are issued by individual municipalities within Atlantic County based on local ordinances and zoning codes. Atlantic County Division of Regional Planning and Development at 1333 Atlantic Avenue handles certain county-level planning and development matters.
Building permits are issued by municipal construction officials in each of the 23 Atlantic County municipalities according to the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. The Greater Atlantic County City Chamber of Commerce (acchamber.com) and various municipal chambers provide business development resources, networking, and advocacy throughout Atlantic County.
Elections & Voter Records
Election administration in Atlantic County is conducted by Atlantic County Clerk's Office, Elections Division, located at 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Mays Landing, NJ 08330. The Elections Division can be reached at and maintains election information at Mays Landing area-county.org/elections.
- The 2024 general election saw moderate turnout in Atlantic County consistent with state patterns, with approximately 68% of registered voters participating in the presidential election.
- Atlantic County provides detailed election results broken down by county and district through Atlantic County website following certification.
- Citizens may request election related public records through OPRA requests to the County Clerk's office, though voter registration information has specific use restrictions under New Jersey law.
Voter registration in Atlantic County follows New Jersey state law and can be completed online through the New Jersey Division of Elections website at nj.gov/state/elections/voter-registration.shtml, in person at the County Clerk's office, at motor vehicle agencies, or by mail using the voter registration application. New Jersey requires voter registration at least 21 days before an election, and the state offers online registration for citizens with a New Jersey driver's license or non-driver ID. Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, and view sample ballots through the New Jersey Division of Elections voter information portal or by contacting Atlantic County Clerk's Elections Division.
Atlantic County operates numerous polling locations across its 23 municipalities on Election Day, typically from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. New Jersey has implemented universal vote-by-mail, allowing any registered voter to request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason; applications are available through Atlantic County clerk or online through the state portal. Mail ballot applications must be received by the Tuesday before the election, and completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 48 hours, or deposited in secure ballot drop boxes by 8:00 PM on Election Day.
Public election records in Atlantic County include voter registration lists (available for political purposes under 19:31-18), campaign finance reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), candidate petitions and declarations, and precinct-level election results. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races for New Jersey's congressional districts, a U.S.
Senate seat, and New Jersey General Assembly races. New Jersey holds gubernatorial elections in odd-numbered years, with the next governor's race in 2025. Campaign finance disclosure reports are available through the state ELEC website at elec.nj.gov.
Economy & Demographics
Atlantic County's economy has historically centered on tourism and gaming, with Atlantic City's casino industry employing thousands and generating substantial tax revenue since gaming legalization in 1976. Major casino-resort employers include Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Ocean Casino Resort, Tropicana Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic County City, Harrah's Resort Atlantic County City, and Golden Nugget, collectively employing approximately 26,000 workers during peak seasons, though this fluctuates with economic conditions.
- Median household income in Atlantic County approximates $63,000, below New Jersey's state average but varying significantly by county.
Beyond gaming, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center serves as one of Atlantic County's largest employers with multiple facilities providing healthcare services. Atlantic County City Electric, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, maintains significant operations in Atlantic County. The Federal Aviation Administration's William J.
Hughes Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township employs over 5,500 federal workers in aviation research and air traffic control development, representing a major non-gaming economic anchor. Agriculture remains economically significant, particularly in mainland communities like Hammonton, Buena Vista Township, and Hamilton Township, where blueberry cultivation, peach orchards, and vegetable farming generate millions in annual revenue. Atlantic County has pursued economic diversification through offshore wind energy development projects, with Atlantic City positioned as a potential operations hub for wind farms.
The Amazon fulfillment center in Logan Township and various distribution facilities have expanded logistics sector employment. Unemployment rates have historically run higher than state averages due to seasonal tourism employment patterns, with recent figures ranging from 5-7% depending on season. Economic development initiatives focus on convention business expansion, sports betting growth, aviation technology, and renewable energy to reduce dependence on traditional casino gaming.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online via NJ Courts | Property: Yes: Free Online Search & GIS | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Lookup | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail Required | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 8.5/10, Atlantic County provides excellent digital access to property, court, and jail records with online portals and GIS mapping.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Atlantic County
Explore public records for 32 cities and communities in Atlantic County, New Jersey.