The Office of the City Clerk is the public’s access point to government records, voting information, licenses, permits, certain maps and archives. The office maintains information regarding City Council and has a variety of resources for citizens from the city, county, state and other agencies.

The Office of the Municipal Clerk and Registrar is responsible for storing and maintaining government records. The definition of “government record” means any record that has been made, maintained, or kept on file in the course of official business by a public agency or an officer of that public agency, or that has been received in the course of official business by a public agency or an officer of that public agency.

The Municipal Clerk’s responsibilities as defined by New Jersey Statutes include: Secretary to the Governing Body, Secretary to the Municipal Corporation, Administrative and Licensing Officer, Election Administrator, and Records Coordinator and Manager.

The City Clerk’s Office is the place to go for:

• Voter Registration Information
• Elections, School Board/Primary/General/Municipal
• Copies of Resolutions and Local Ordinances
• Marriage Licenses
• Marriage, Birth and Death Records
• Dog Licenses
• Riparian & Flood Maps
• Taxi and Livery Licenses
• Archival Information

Many questions will be answered in the Frequently Asked Questions below, so please check there first.

Melissa Rasner
Municipal Clerk
861 Asbury Avenue
Ocean City NJ 08226
609.525.9328
609.399.6366 (fax)
 

CERTIFICATES

Where can I file a Landlord Certificate of Registration?

Return this form -- Landlord Certificate of Registration -- to the Office of the City Clerk.

CITY COUNCIL

When are council meetings and when is the agenda available?

Council meeting dates are adopted by resolution at the beginning of the year. Date changes are routine and a current list is always available in the Clerk’s Office. Agendas are generally available on Tuesday afternoon prior to a Thursday regular meeting.

To have an agenda e-mailed to you, sign up for the City’s e-Mail Alert system. Click here to sign up.

What are the name, address and telephone numbers of the City Council members?

Click here for Council Contact Information.
 

ELECTIONS

How soon before an election must I register to be eligible to vote in that election?

A voter must register to vote at least 21 days prior to an election.

Click here for voter registration information
Voter Registration Application   
Vote By Mail Ballot Application 

Where are the Ocean City polling places?

Polling Places for Each Voting District
Map of All Ocean City Voting Districts and Polling Places (scroll down within PDF to see individual ward detail)

When are Ocean City elections?

Ocean City municipal elections are held on the second Tuesday in May in even years. Elections alternate between voting for mayor and three at-large City Council seats ... and the City Council seats representing Ocean City's four wards.

Election Results

• 2024 Municipal Election (May 14, 2024)
• 2022 Municipal Election (May 10, 2022)
   

What are the ward boundaries?

1st Ward: Longport bridge to north side of 4th Street

2nd Ward: South side of 4th Street to north side of 12th Street

3rd Ward:  South side of 12th Street to north side of 26th Street

4th Ward: South side of 26th Street to 59th Street
 

LICENSES

How Do I Obtain a Marriage License?

Marriage, Civil Union or Domestic Partnership Information

Wedding Officiants List and Church Listings

How do I license my dog?

New Jersey state law requires that all dogs must be licensed. All dogs 6 months or older, or having a permanent set of teeth must be licensed. A current rabies certificate must be provided as well as proof of spay/neuter. The cost is $10 for all dogs that are not spayed/neutered and $7 for those that are.

ALL dog licenses are renewable in January. Renewal notices are sent the first week of the new year and licenses may be renewed by mail utilizing the renewal notice. Any licenses not renewed by March 31, will incur a $4.00 late fee.

A Free Rabies Clinic is offered every year in the month of January. (The 2021 Free Rabies Clinic will not be held due to COVID-19).

Dog License Registration Application.pdf

How can I purchase Division of Fish and Wildlife licenses?

The purchase of hunting, fishing, crabbing and shellfish licenses recently became an electronic transaction and all licenses are available in the Office of the City Clerk. To purchase a license, adults must provide driver license number, conservation number (for previous license holders only) social security number. Minors must provide social security number.

RECORDS

How can I obtain a copy of an ordinance, resolution or other city record (make an OPRA request)?

The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) provides that most government records are available to the public; however, the request must be in writing and there is an associated cost.

• 1-20 pages: no charge
• 21 or more pages: $0.05.
• Data supplied on compact disc: 1-4 CDs - no charge; 5 or more CDs - $0.25
• Preprinted/published documents (city's cost for blueprint copies per sheet): $1
• DVDs (video of council meetings): $3.
• Documents available in electronic format when supplied as an e-mail attachment: no charge

Download the form here: OPRA Request Form
View City Ordinances Online

How can I obtain a certified copy of a Vital Record? [Marriage, Birth or Death]

In the State of New Jersey, Vital Records are retained in the Municipality where the event occurred. In order to obtain the record, an application must be completed and ID is required. The fee is $10 per copy.

Download and complete the form below, enclose identification and payment to the City of Ocean City,  ($10 per copy) and mail to 861 Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226:

Request for Birth, Marriage, Death Records
 

VOLUNTEER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

How can I serve on a board or commission in Ocean City?

Ocean City encourages the involvement of the public in a variety of commissions and boards. More than 200 volunteers give their time to assist the city in making informed decisions. Learn more about our boards and commissions. Check our Citizen Leadership Form for more information on current vacancies and application forms