Where to File a Restraining Order in Ocean County, NJ

By Jeff J. Horn – Divorce Attorney

Direct answer: During court hours, file at the Domestic Violence Unit of the Superior Court Family Division at the Ocean County Justice Complex, 120 Hooper Avenue, Toms River — weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., no filing fee. Nights, weekends, and holidays, go to any local police department (full directory below), where an officer will reach an on-call judge by phone who can issue an emergency Temporary Restraining Order on the spot. In an emergency, call 911 first.

Two Ways to Get a Restraining Order in Ocean County

New Jersey treats domestic violence as an emergency, so protection is available every day of the year through two channels. If you are not sure what a restraining order does or whether you qualify, start with our full guide: What Is a Restraining Order in New Jersey?

Filing at the Courthouse During Business Hours

The Ocean County Family Division’s Domestic Violence Unit takes restraining order applications at the Ocean County Justice Complex, 120 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You can call the Domestic Violence Unit at (732) 504-0700, ext. 64090 (Family Division: ext. 64050). A staff member interviews you and prepares the complaint; a judge or domestic violence hearing officer then reviews it the same day, without the other party present, and decides whether to issue a Temporary Restraining Order. There is no fee to file. Courthouse domestic violence advocates are available to support you through the process.

What to bring: photo ID and as much information about the other person as you have — name, address, phone number, employer, vehicle, and any weapons they own or can access. Incomplete information will not stop you from filing; provide what you can.

Filing Through the Police After Hours

When the courthouse is closed — evenings, weekends, and holidays — go to your local police department in the town where you live, where the other person lives, or where the incident happened. Police in Ocean County handle these applications routinely: an officer takes a summary of what happened and contacts the on-call judge by phone. On a recorded line, you describe the incident to the judge, who grants or denies the emergency TRO immediately. Ocean County judges are on duty for emergency domestic violence orders 24 hours a day.

Ocean County Police Department Directory

Phone numbers are provided for convenience. In an emergency, always dial 911 and share your exact location with the dispatcher. Smaller departments may share dispatch through the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, especially after hours.

1. Bay Head Police Department, 83 Bridge Avenue, Bay Head, NJ, (732) 892-0632
2. Barnegat Township Police Department, 900 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat, NJ 08005, (609) 698-5000
3. Barnegat Light Borough — served by the Long Beach Township Police Department (below)
4. Beach Haven Police, 300 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008, (609) 492-0505
5. Beachwood Police, 1600 Pinewald Road, Beachwood, NJ 08722, (732) 341-1249
6. Berkeley Township Police Department, 627 Pinewald-Keswick Road, Bayville, NJ 08721, (732) 341-1132
7. Brick Township Police Department, 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, NJ 08723, (732) 262-1100
8. Eagleswood Township — via NJ State Police, Tuckerton Station, 399 Main Street, West Creek, NJ 08092, (609) 296-3132
9. Harvey Cedars Police, 7606 Long Beach Blvd, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008, (609) 494-6509
10. Island Heights Police, One East End Avenue, Island Heights, NJ 08732, (732) 270-3000
11. Jackson Township Police Department, 102 Jackson Drive, Jackson, NJ 08527, (732) 928-1111
12. Lacey Township Police Department, 808 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731, (609) 693-6636
13. Lakehurst Borough Police, 530 Union Avenue, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, (732) 657-7811
14. Lakewood Township Police Department, 231 3rd Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701, (732) 363-0200
15. Lavallette Police, 1306 Grand Central Avenue, Lavallette, NJ 08735, (732) 793-4800
16. Little Egg Harbor Police Department, 665 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08087, (609) 296-7241
17. Long Beach Township Police Department, 6805 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach Township, NJ 08008, (609) 494-3322
18. Manchester Township Police Department, 1 Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ 08759, (732) 657-6111
19. Mantoloking Police Department, 202 Downer Avenue, Mantoloking, NJ 08738, (732) 295-1465
20. Ocean Township (Waretown) Police, 50 Railroad Avenue, Unit 2, Waretown, NJ 08758, (609) 693-4007
21. Ocean Gate Borough — dial 911
22. Pine Beach Borough Police, 599 Pennsylvania Avenue, Pine Beach, NJ 08741, (732) 341-2616
23. Plumsted Township Police Department, 2 Cedar Street, New Egypt, NJ 08533, (609) 758-7185
24. Point Pleasant Borough Police, 2233 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742, (732) 892-0060
25. Point Pleasant Beach Police, 416 New Jersey Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, (732) 892-0500
26. Seaside Heights Police Department, 116 Sherman Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751, (732) 793-1800
27. Seaside Park Police Department, 1 Municipal Plaza, Seaside Park, NJ 08752, (732) 793-8000
28. Ship Bottom Police Department, 1621 Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom, NJ 08008, (609) 494-1518
29. South Toms River Police, 19 Double Trouble Road, Toms River, NJ 08757, (732) 349-0313
30. Stafford Township Police Department, 260 East Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, (609) 597-8581
31. Surf City Borough Police Department, 813 Long Beach Blvd, Surf City, NJ 08008, (609) 494-8121
32. Toms River Township Police Department, 255 Oak Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753, (732) 349-0150
33. Tuckerton Borough Police Department, 420 East Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087, (609) 296-9416

What Happens After the TRO Is Issued?

Law enforcement serves the order on the defendant and seizes any firearms — you never deliver it yourself. The court schedules a Final Restraining Order hearing, generally within about 10 days, before a Family Part judge in Toms River. Hearings may be scheduled in person or by video conference; follow the instructions printed on your order. If your hearing is virtual: log in ten minutes early, testify from a private room, keep your device charged and still, submit your evidence in advance as directed by court staff, and never separately record the proceeding — unauthorized recording can itself be a criminal offense. For a full walkthrough of the hearing, see what to expect at a final restraining order hearing in NJ.

Local Support Resources

The statewide New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-572-7233 (SAFE), operates 24/7. Courthouse domestic violence advocates can assist during filing, and the New Jersey Courts self-help center publishes the state’s official guidance on the process.

Closing

Protection in Ocean County is never more than one police station or one courthouse visit away, any day of the year. If you are seeking a restraining order — or have been served with one — Horn Law Group represents clients on both sides of these cases at the Ocean County Family Part. Call (732) 736-9300 or visit 801A Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753 for a confidential consultation. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.