Find Burlington County Public Records

Burlington County was formed on May 17, 1694, making it one of the oldest counties in New Jersey. The county seat is Mount Holly. Burlington County public records include deeds, mortgages, wills, court filings, and many other document types. The County Clerk office maintains property and land records, while the Surrogate handles probate matters. Online records go back to 1983 through the PRESS system. The State Archives in Trenton holds historical Burlington County records on microfilm dating back centuries. This guide explains where and how to access Burlington County public records.

Burlington County Clerk Office

The Burlington County Clerk is located at 49 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly, NJ 08060. The phone number is (609) 265-5122. This office records and maintains property deeds, mortgages, liens, maps, and other land records for Burlington County. It is the first place to check when you need a recorded document.

The Burlington County Clerk page on the county website has information on services, forms, and office hours. The clerk also handles notary services, trade name filings, and passport applications.

Burlington County offers online access to recorded documents dating back to 1983. The PRESS system allows searches by name, document type, or recording date. This is a helpful tool for title searches, property research, and general public records inquiries in Burlington County.

Note: Online records cover 1983 to present; for older Burlington County documents, visit the clerk office in person.

Burlington County Property Records

Property records make up a large share of the public records in Burlington County. Every property sale, mortgage, and lien gets recorded with the County Clerk. These records establish ownership and create a chain of title for each parcel of land. Attorneys, title companies, real estate agents, and members of the public regularly search Burlington County property records.

The Burlington County Clerk maintains an online search system called PRESS for records from 1983 forward. You can search by grantor, grantee, property address, or document type. For property records before 1983, the clerk office in Mount Holly has physical books and microfilm. Burlington County keeps detailed indices that make it easier to trace the history of a property over time.

Certified copies of Burlington County documents cost $11 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Plain copies cost $2 per page. Self-service copies at the clerk office are $0.05 per page. These fees are set by New Jersey law and apply to all recorded documents in Burlington County.

Burlington County Surrogate

Brian Carlin serves as the Burlington County Surrogate. The office is at 50 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly. Call (609) 265-5005 for information about probate filings and estate records. You can also email surrogates@co.burlington.nj.us with questions. The Surrogate handles wills, estate administration, and guardianship matters for Burlington County.

The Burlington County Surrogate page has forms and instructions for probate. All probate records filed with the Burlington County Surrogate are public records. Anyone can request copies of wills, letters testamentary, and other estate documents.

Probate records are used for many purposes. Genealogists trace family lines through estate filings. Attorneys need these records for trust and estate work. Property researchers check probate records to confirm ownership when land passed through an estate. Burlington County surrogate records go back generations and are an important part of the public record.

Requesting Public Records in Burlington County

The Open Public Records Act gives you the right to request records from Burlington County government offices. OPRA applies to all county departments, municipal offices, and school boards. You submit a written request on an OPRA form. The office must respond within seven business days.

Burlington County offices accept OPRA requests in person, by mail, by fax, and sometimes by email. The response may include the requested records, a denial with a legal reason, or a request for more time. If a request is denied, you can appeal to the Government Records Council or file a court action. Most routine records in Burlington County are provided without issue.

Court records for Burlington County are available through the New Jersey Courts system. Civil case information, judgments, and docket details can be searched online. Some records require a visit to the courthouse in Mount Holly. The courts follow their own access rules, which are separate from OPRA.

Historical Records in Burlington County

Burlington County has one of the most extensive historical record collections in New Jersey. The State Archives catalog for Burlington County lists holdings that span centuries. The deed collection alone covers 1785 to 1901 on 198 reels of microfilm. Marriage returns run from 1795 to 1920. The archives also hold a unique set of Birth Certificates of Children of Slaves from 1804 to 1826.

These records are invaluable for genealogy research and local history studies. The slave birth certificates are among the most significant historical documents in the state. Researchers from across the country use Burlington County records at the State Archives. The collection documents land ownership, family connections, and legal proceedings from the colonial and early American periods.

Local historical societies and libraries in Burlington County also maintain records and archives. The Burlington County Library has a local history collection. These complement the official public records held by county offices and the State Archives.

Note: Some historical Burlington County records are fragile and may only be available on microfilm rather than in original form.

Court Records in Burlington County

The Burlington County Superior Court in Mount Holly handles civil, criminal, and family matters. Court records are part of the public record system in New Jersey. Civil case files include lawsuits, foreclosures, and contract disputes. You can search case information online through the New Jersey Courts eCourts system by party name or docket number.

For copies of specific court documents, visit the courthouse in Mount Holly or submit a written request. The clerk of the court can provide copies of judgments, complaints, and other filings from Burlington County cases. Some records involving minors or sealed matters are restricted. The courts public access page explains what is available online and what requires an in-person visit.

Nearby Counties

Burlington County is the largest county in New Jersey by land area. It shares borders with several neighboring counties. Records for properties or matters near the border may be filed in an adjacent county.