About Burlington County
Burlington County is located in the west-central region of New Jersey, bordered by the Delaware River to the west and occupying 819 square miles, making it the largest county in New Jersey by land area. Burlington County Seat is Mount Holly, a historic town that has served in this capacity since 1796. Burlington County has a population of approximately 461,000 residents as of recent census estimates, spread across 40 municipalities ranging from densely populated suburbs to rural agricultural communities.
Burlington County was established in 1694, making it one of the four original counties of West Jersey. Major landmarks include Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the only tri-service military installation in the United States, the Rancocas State Park, and historic sites such as the Smithville Mansion and Burlington County Prison Museum in Mount Holly, which operated from 1811 to 1965. Burlington County is home to portions of the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, protecting vast areas of pine barrens ecosystem.
Burlington County government operates through numerous agencies serving residents' needs. Burlington County Clerk's office, located at 50 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly, maintains vital records, business filings, and election records. Burlington County Surrogate handles estate matters, while property records are managed by the County Clerk's recording division.
Burlington County offices serve a diverse population that includes established suburban communities like Cherry Hill and Moorestown, rural townships such as Tabernacle and Woodland, and historic river towns including Burlington City and Bordentown. Burlington County's strategic location between Philadelphia and the New Jersey shore has shaped its development as both a residential haven and economic corridor.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Burlington County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Burlington County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office oversees Burlington County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community outreach programs and operates a K-9 unit, which is notable for its contributions to local law enforcement efforts. The office provides security for Burlington County courthouse and manages the service of legal documents such as subpoenas and eviction notices.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Burlington County is provided by both Burlington County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. Key city police departments include the Mount Holly Police Department, Evesham Township Police Department, and Mount Laurel Police Department. Each department is responsible for maintaining peace and safety within its jurisdiction, handling local crimes, and collaborating with the Sheriff's Office on larger investigations. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full law enforcement coverage throughout Burlington County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Burlington County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 50 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly, New Jersey 08060, provides law enforcement services countywide and operates Burlington County Jail. The Sheriff's Office can be reached, and the department maintains a website at www.co.burlington.nj.us/sheriff. Burlington County Detention Center houses inmates awaiting trial or serving sentences, and the facility provides an online inmate locator service through Burlington County website where the public can search for current inmates by name or booking number.
- The Sheriff's Office is responsible for court security, warrant service, civil process execution, and operating Burlington County correctional facility.
- Processing times for records requests typically range from seven to fourteen business days, and some records may incur copying fees.
Burlington County relies on municipal police departments for primary law enforcement, with each of the 40 municipalities maintaining their own department. Major municipal departments include the Mount Holly Police Department, Evesham Township Police Department, Willingford Township Police Department, the local community Township Police Department, Moorestown Police Department, Cinnaminson Police Department, Medford Police Department, and Pemberton Township Police Department. Arrest records in Burlington County are considered public records under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), 47:1A-1 et seq.
Citizens can request arrest records by submitting an OPRA request to the specific municipal police department that made the arrest or to Burlington County Prosecutor's Office at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. Mugshots and booking photos from Burlington County Jail are generally accessible through OPRA requests submitted to the Sheriff's Office, though certain information may be redacted under exemptions related to ongoing investigations or privacy concerns. Burlington County does not maintain a centralized online mugshot database accessible to the general public.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Burlington County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. These records are maintained by Burlington County Sheriff's Office and the New Jersey State Police. To conduct a background check in New Jersey, individuals can request information from the New Jersey State Bureau of Investigation, which provides full criminal history reports. Burlington County Prosecutor's Office also helps with maintaining records related to criminal cases prosecuted within Burlington County.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Burlington County are maintained by Burlington County Sheriff's Office and the respective municipal police departments. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through the Sheriff's Office by submitting a formal request, often requiring identification and a small processing fee. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) governs the accessibility of these records, for public access and public access to government documents.
Jail & Inmate Records
Burlington County Detention Center, located in Mount Holly, is the primary facility for housing inmates in Burlington County. The booking process at the detention center involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestee. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules at the facility require visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict security protocols.
- In New Jersey, the bond and bail process allows for the release of detainees pending trial, and information on posting bail can be obtained from the detention center's administrative office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Burlington County are taken and retained by Burlington County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or online databases that compile arrest information. While New Jersey does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals seeking to remove their mugshots from online platforms may need to contact the website administrators directly.
- The Sheriff's Office provides guidance on how to search for mugshots through their official website or by visiting their office in person.
Courts & Case Records
Burlington County's judicial system operates under the New Jersey Superior Court system, with Burlington County Superior Court located at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060, phone. The Superior Court has multiple divisions including the Civil Division handling lawsuits and civil matters, the Criminal Division prosecuting indictable offenses, the Family Division managing divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases, and the General Equity Division handling foreclosures and probate. The courthouse also houses the Special Civil Part for small claims and landlord-tenant disputes.
- New Jersey provides public access to court records through the New Jersey Courts Public Access system, though online access is limited compared to some states.
- Civil case information is similarly available, with fees of $5.00 per document copy and $20.00 per certified copy.
- The Promis/Gavel system provides some online access to criminal and traffic case information at www.njcourts.gov.
Burlington County's 40 municipalities each operate Municipal Courts handling traffic violations, disorderly persons offenses, local ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings for indictable crimes. The Vicinage XIV includes Burlington County courts. The New Jersey Court Rules and 2A:84A-27 govern public access to court records.
Criminal case information can be searched through the Superior Court Clerk's office during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Complex civil case information is available through the New Jersey eCourts portal. Marriage licenses are issued through the Municipal Clerk offices in each county, not through Burlington County courts.
Surrogate Court matters including wills, estate administration, and guardianships are handled by Burlington County Surrogate at 50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, phone. Court records generally remain public unless sealed by court order, with certain family court and juvenile records protected by confidentiality provisions.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Burlington County are maintained by Burlington County Clerk's Office, Recording Division, located at 50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060, phone. Burlington County Clerk is the Register of Deeds and records all real property transactions including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens, lis pendens, easements, declarations of covenants, and subdivision plat maps. The recording office has maintained land records since Burlington County's establishment in 1694, with historical records carefully preserved and indexed.
- Digital images of recorded documents from recent years are available online without charge, though older records may require in-person research or paid requests.
- Recording fees are established by New Jersey statute at $50.00 for the first page and $10.00 for each additional page for most documents.
- Certified copies cost $12.00 for the first page plus $2.00 per additional page.
- Burlington County Clerk's office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and walk-in customers can request and receive same-day uncertified copies of recorded documents for research purposes.
Burlington County provides a free online property records search through the MOD (Management On Demand) system accessible at www.co.burlington.nj.us where users can search recorded documents by grantor/grantee name, block and lot, or document book and page. Property tax assessment records are maintained separately by each of Burlington County's 40 municipal tax assessors, not by Burlington County. However, Burlington County Board of Taxation at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, phone, hears property tax appeals and maintains records of assessment appeals.
Burlington County provides an online GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping tool through its website allowing users to search parcels by address, block and lot, or owner name, displaying property boundaries, tax maps, aerial photography, and environmental features.
Vital Records
Vital records for Burlington County, New Jersey are managed at both the local and state levels under 26:8-1 et seq. Birth certificates for births occurring in Burlington County municipalities are maintained by the Municipal Clerk in the county where the birth occurred, as New Jersey registers vital records at the municipal level. The New Jersey Department of Health, Vital Statistics Registration Unit, is the state repository for all New Jersey birth and death records and is located at PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370.
- Birth certificates can be requested from either the local Municipal Clerk where the birth occurred or from the state office.
- Fees are $25.00 for the first copy and $2.00 for each additional copy of the same record when ordered simultaneously.
- Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests or same-day for walk-in requests at the municipal level if records are available.
- Death certificates follow the same system, maintained by the Municipal Clerk where the death occurred or by the state Vital Statistics office, with identical fee structures.
- Online ordering of birth and death certificates is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com, the state's authorized vendor, with additional service fees applied.
Marriage licenses are issued by Municipal Clerks in any New Jersey county to couples planning to marry in New Jersey, with a $28.00 fee. Applicants must apply in person with valid photo identification, birth certificates, and Social Security numbers. There is no waiting period in New Jersey, and the marriage license is valid for six months.
Divorce records (Judgments of Divorce) are maintained by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Family Division, not by local vital records offices. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from Burlington County Superior Court Clerk at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, or from the New Jersey Department of Health. All vital record requests require valid government-issued photo identification, and only eligible individuals (the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with court orders) may obtain certified copies.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Burlington County are maintained through multiple agencies depending on the business type and licensing requirements. Burlington County Clerk's Office at 50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, phone, records trade name certificates (DBA - Doing Business As) and fictitious name filings for businesses operating under names other than the owner's legal name. These filings are public records searchable at the County Clerk's office during business hours.
- This free online database provides business name, registration number, status, registered agent, and business address.
- Burlington County Division of Economic Development and Regional Planning, phone, provides business assistance and information but does not issue licenses.
- Copies of business-related public records can be requested under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) from the appropriate custodian agency.
For full business entity information, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services maintains the statewide business entity database accessible online at www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/busreclist.shtml, where users can search for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships registered in New Jersey. Professional licenses including those for contractors, cosmetologists, pharmacists, and other regulated professions are issued by various New Jersey state licensing boards under the Division of Consumer Affairs, not by Burlington County. Sales tax permits are issued by the New Jersey Division of Taxation.
Building permits and construction-related licensing are handled at the municipal level by each of Burlington County's 40 local Construction Code Official offices, as New Jersey delegates building code enforcement to municipalities. Zoning matters are similarly handled by municipal Planning and Zoning Boards. Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce, located in Marlton, is the primary business organization and can be reached through www.burlingtoncountychamber.com.
County-level permits include septic system permits issued by Burlington County Health Department and certain environmental permits.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Burlington County are administered by Burlington County Board of Elections (also known as the County Clerk's Elections Division), located at 50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060, phone. The office website is www.co.burlington.nj.us/elections, providing full election information, sample ballots, and polling place locations. Voter registration in Burlington County follows New Jersey state procedures under 19:31-1 et seq.
- Burlington County voters can request mail-in ballots online through Burlington County elections portal, by completing an application form available on the website, or by calling the Board of Elections.
Residents may register to vote online at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/register, in person at the County Board of Elections or any Motor Vehicle Commission office, by mail using the voter registration application, or at designated voter registration agencies. The voter registration deadline is 21 days before any election in New Jersey. To register, applicants must be United States citizens, at least 17 years old (though you cannot vote until age 18), residents of New Jersey and Burlington County for at least 30 days before the election, and not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction.
Burlington County voters can find their assigned polling place by visiting Burlington County elections website, calling the Board of Elections, or checking their voter registration card mailed before each election. New Jersey also offers a polling place lookup tool at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search. Election records that are public in Burlington County include voter registration lists (available with certain personal information redacted under 19:31-18.2), campaign finance reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), candidate petitions and filings, and certified election results by county and district.
Precinct-level results are published after each election on Burlington County website. In the November 2024 general election, Burlington County recorded approximately 68% voter turnout, slightly above New Jersey's statewide average, reflecting strong civic engagement. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring United States House of Representatives elections for New Jersey's congressional districts, New Jersey State Senate (all 40 seats), New Jersey General Assembly (all 80 seats), and various county and local offices.
Mail-in ballots (formerly called absentee ballots) are available to all New Jersey voters without requiring an excuse under laws expanded in recent years. Mail-in ballot applications must be received by the Tuesday before the election, though earlier application is strongly recommended. Ballot transparency in Burlington County is strong, with citizens able to request election-related records under OPRA including poll worker lists, voting machine testing documentation, and ballot custody chain-of-record documents, though ballots themselves are confidential.
The Board of Elections conducts public accuracy testing of voting equipment before each election and maintains records available for public inspection during business hours.
Economy & Demographics
Burlington County's economy is diverse and strong, benefiting from its strategic location between Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore, excellent transportation infrastructure, and mix of suburban, rural, and commercial development. Burlington County's largest employer is Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the tri-service military installation that employs over 40,000 active duty personnel, civilians, and contractors, making defense a key part of the local economy.
- The median household income in Burlington County is approximately $89,000, significantly above the national average, reflecting Burlington County's affluent suburban communities.
Major economic sectors include healthcare and social assistance, with Virtua Health System operating multiple hospitals and facilities throughout Burlington County as a major employer. Retail trade is substantial, anchored by the Moorestown Mall and numerous commercial corridors. Manufacturing remains important, particularly in Mount Laurel and Burlington Township industrial parks.
Logistics and warehousing have grown dramatically due to Burlington County's proximity to Interstate 295, the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 195, and major freight rail lines, with Amazon, UPS, and other distribution companies operating large facilities. Agricultural production continues in rural townships, particularly Pemberton, Springfield, and Woodland, focusing on cranberries, blueberries, nursery products, and vegetables, with Burlington County ranking among New Jersey's top agricultural counties. Tourism contributes to the economy through Historic Smithville Park, Red Bank Battlefield Park, and heritage tourism in Burlington County City and Bordentown.
Professional and business services have expanded in Mount Laurel's office parks. Burlington County unemployment rate typically tracks slightly below the state average, fluctuating between 3-5% in recent years. Notable economic development projects include the Rowan University Burlington County campus expansion and redevelopment initiatives in older communities like Willingboro and Burlington County Township.
Burlington County Bridge Commission operates bridges connecting New Jersey to Pennsylvania, generating toll revenue and helping with commerce.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: Online | Property: Yes: Free Online Search | Arrest/Jail: Limited: OPRA Request | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 7/10 — Burlington County provides good online access to property records and election information, with adequate transparency for most public records through OPRA procedures, though court and arrest records require more effort to access.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Burlington County
Explore public records for 40 cities and communities in Burlington County, New Jersey.