Burlington County Divorce Case Records

Burlington County divorce records are held at the Superior Court, Family Division in Mount Holly. As the largest county in New Jersey by land area, Burlington County spans more than 800 square miles across the southern part of the state. Residents of towns like Mount Laurel, Evesham, Moorestown, and dozens of other communities all have their divorce cases processed through the Mount Holly courthouse. Whether you need a copy of a final judgment or want to look up a past case, the court system in Burlington County provides several ways to search for and obtain these records.

Burlington County Divorce Records at the Family Division

The Superior Court Family Division handles all divorce records in Burlington County. This court is at 49 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach them by phone at (609) 288-9500. For questions about new or pending divorce filings, the Dissolution Intake line is (609) 518-2645.

It is worth noting that the Burlington County Clerk at 50 Rancocas Road does not keep divorce records. Many people visit the clerk first, but this is the wrong place. The Burlington County Clerk handles deeds, passports, and other civil documents. Divorce records are only at the courthouse. The two buildings sit close to each other on Rancocas Road, so the mix-up is common. Always go to the Family Division for divorce records in Burlington County.

A key detail is the age of the record you need. Burlington County divorce records filed in 2015 or later are stored at the local courthouse in Mount Holly. Records filed before 2015 were sent to the Records Information Center in Trenton. For cases less than three years old, you should contact the Family Division directly. For older cases, reach out to the Superior Court Records Center in Trenton.

The Burlington County Clerk's official website provides general information about county services.

While the clerk does not hold divorce records, the site can help you find the right office for other document needs in Burlington County.

Note: The County Clerk office on the third floor at 50 Rancocas Road does not maintain divorce records for Burlington County.

How to Search for Divorce Records

There are a few ways to find Burlington County divorce records. Your best option depends on what you know about the divorce case and how old the record is. You can search court records online, visit the court in person, or call the clerk. Each method has its own steps and limits when it comes to accessing divorce records.

The New Jersey Courts website offers a free tool called Find a Case. This lets you look up family court cases by name or docket number. Burlington County divorce cases use the docket format FM-03-XXXXX-XX. The "03" stands for Burlington County. If you have a docket number, this is the fastest way to pull up basic divorce case details. The tool shows filing dates, case status, and party names. It does not show the full text of court orders or divorce judgments.

You can also visit the courthouse in Mount Holly to search divorce records. Bring a valid photo ID. Court staff can search their record system for you. They will print copies of divorce records on the spot if the file is available. Walk-in visits work best for recent divorce cases.

For older Burlington County divorce records, you may need to write to the Records Center in Trenton. Include the full names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and the docket number if you have it. Mail requests for court records can take several weeks to process.

Burlington County Divorce Record Fees

The court charges set fees for copies of divorce records in Burlington County. Plain copies cost $0.05 per page for letter size and $0.07 per page for legal size. A certified copy of a document is $15. A certified copy of a final judgment of divorce costs $25. A certificate of divorce is $10.

These fees apply at the courthouse in Mount Holly for all divorce record requests. Payment methods may vary, so call the court ahead of time to confirm. The fees are the same whether you request copies of divorce records in person or by mail. If you mail a request for court records, include a check or money order made out to the Treasurer, State of New Jersey.

Note: Fees for copies of Burlington County divorce records are set by the New Jersey Courts and may change without prior notice.

Divorce Records and New Jersey Law

New Jersey has clear rules about who can access divorce records. Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, most court records are open to the public. This means anyone can request a copy of a Burlington County divorce record. You do not need to be a party to the case. However, some parts of a divorce file may be sealed by court order. Financial statements and child custody evaluations are often kept private.

Court Rule 1:38 governs public access to court records in New Jersey. It lays out what is open and what is restricted. Divorce cases filed under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2 follow these same rules. The final judgment is almost always a public record. Other filings in the case may or may not be available to the general public.

The New Jersey Courts self-help page on divorce has useful guides for people going through the process. It covers forms, steps, and what to expect in Burlington County and across the state.

Burlington County Court Records Online

Several online tools can help you find Burlington County divorce records from home. The state court system runs the most reliable search tool. Third-party sites also index some case data, though they may not be as current as the official source.

The Burlington County divorce records portal offers another way to search for case information.

This resource provides a streamlined way to look up divorce case data for Burlington County residents and the general public.

You can also try the New Jersey Court Records site for Burlington County.

This site pulls together court data from across the state and lets you narrow results to Burlington County cases.

Keep in mind that online tools show basic case data. They list names, dates, and case status. They do not provide full copies of divorce decrees or final judgments. For certified copies of divorce records, you still need to contact the court or visit in person. Online court records are a good starting point for any divorce record search in Burlington County.

Note: Online databases may not include all Burlington County divorce records, especially older cases filed before digital record keeping began.

Divorce Certificates from Vital Records

There is a difference between a divorce record from the court and a divorce certificate from the state. The court file in Burlington County has the full case details. It includes the complaint, answer, settlement agreement, and final judgment. A divorce certificate is a short form issued by the New Jersey Department of Health. It confirms that a divorce took place but does not include the terms.

You may need one or the other depending on your situation. Banks and insurance companies often want the full judgment. A government agency might accept the short certificate. The New Jersey Department of Health handles requests for divorce certificates. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, the clerk of the court must report each divorce to the state registrar.

If you are not sure which document you need, ask the requesting party first. This saves time and avoids extra fees. Many people from Burlington County order both to be safe.

Visiting the Mount Holly Courthouse

The Burlington County courthouse sits on Rancocas Road in the center of Mount Holly. It is easy to reach from Route 541 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Parking is available in lots near the building. Plan to arrive early, as the office can get busy in the morning hours.

When you arrive, you will go through a security checkpoint. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell the front desk you need divorce records. Staff will direct you to the right window. If you know the docket number, have it ready. This speeds up the search. If you only know the names and approximate year, the clerk can still look it up. It just takes a bit longer.

Here is what to bring for a smooth visit:

• A valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport
• The full names of both parties in the divorce
• The docket number if you have it (format: FM-03-XXXXX-XX)
• The approximate year of the divorce filing
• Payment for any copies you plan to request

Mount Holly is a small town with local shops and places to eat near the courthouse. If your visit takes a while, there are options close by for lunch or coffee. The town has a long history as the county seat of Burlington County and has served that role since the colonial era.

Burlington County Divorce Records by Mail

You can request Burlington County divorce records by mail if you cannot visit in person. Send your request to the Family Division at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. Include the names of both spouses, the docket number or year of the case, and a check or money order for the copy fees.

Mail requests for divorce records take longer than in-person visits. Allow two to four weeks for the court to process your request and mail back copies of divorce records. If the record is stored at the Records Center in Trenton, it may take even longer. The court will contact you if they cannot find the divorce record or if they need more details to complete the search.

Nearby County Divorce Records

Burlington County shares borders with several other New Jersey counties. If you are not sure where a divorce was filed, it may help to check nearby counties as well. A divorce is filed in the county where either spouse lived at the time. If someone moved from one county to another, the case could be in either place.

These counties border Burlington County:

• Camden County to the west across the Delaware River region
• Mercer County to the north, home to the state capital in Trenton
• Ocean County to the east along the coast
• Monmouth County to the northeast

Each county has its own Family Division office. The process for requesting divorce records is the same across all New Jersey counties, but each office has its own staff and wait times. Burlington County cases always carry the "03" code in the docket number, which makes them easy to identify no matter where you find a reference to the case.