Burlington County Divorce Decree Database
Burlington County divorce decree records are kept at the Superior Court, Family Division in Mount Holly. This is one of the oldest counties in New Jersey, formed in 1694, and it covers a large area of South Jersey. The courthouse at 49 Rancocas Road handles all divorce decree filings for the county's roughly 450,000 residents. You can search for Burlington County divorce records online through the state courts portal or visit the clerk in person to request copies of a divorce decree.
Burlington County Quick Facts
Burlington County Court Clerk Office
The Family Division of the Superior Court manages all divorce decree records in Burlington County. The Central Processing Office handles intake for new divorce filings. Staff at the clerk's office can search records, pull case files, and make copies of a divorce decree for you. They keep records from the last three years on site. After that, files move to the state Records Center in Trenton.
The Burlington County Courts Facility at 49 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly serves every municipality in the county. Residents of Willingboro, Evesham Township, Moorestown, Bordentown, Cinnaminson, Medford, and all other Burlington County towns file their divorce cases here. The building has free parking and full access for people with disabilities. Call 609-518-2645 for the dissolution intake line before your visit.
| Court |
Burlington County Superior Court Family Division, 1st Floor 49 Rancocas Road Mount Holly, NJ 08060 Phone: (609) 518-2645 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov/courts/superior/burlington |
Search Burlington County Divorce Decree
You have a few options to search for a divorce decree in Burlington County. The method you pick depends on how old the case is and what kind of copy you need. Online searches give you basic case data. In-person visits let you get certified copies of the divorce decree the same day in many cases.
The New Jersey Courts public access portal is free and open to anyone. Select "Family" as the case type and type in a last name. The system shows filing dates, case type, and current status for Burlington County divorce cases. It does not display the actual divorce decree document. For copies, you need to contact the Burlington County clerk's office or submit a formal request through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, divorce records in Burlington County are generally public under the Open Public Records Act. However, some family court records contain confidential details that require identity checks before access is granted.
Burlington County Older Divorce Decree Files
Divorce decree records more than three years old are sent from Burlington County to the Superior Court Records Center in Trenton. You can reach the Records Center at 609-421-6100 or by email at SCCO.Mailbox@njcourts.gov.
Written requests to the Records Center need the full names of both parties, the date of divorce or a rough time frame, and the docket number if you have it. Include a copy of your photo ID. Pay by check or money order to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey." A certified copy of a Burlington County divorce decree costs $25. A basic certificate of divorce is $10. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks for older Burlington County records, depending on whether the file is stored on site or needs to be pulled from off-site storage.
For a verification letter that simply confirms a divorce took place, you can contact the New Jersey Department of Health at P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370, or call 866-649-8726. The letter does not include the full terms of the divorce decree.
How to File for Divorce in Burlington County
The divorce filing process in Burlington County follows state law. You start by filing a complaint for divorce at the courthouse in Mount Holly. The clerk assigns a docket number and you pay the $300 filing fee. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must have been a New Jersey resident for a full year before filing on no-fault grounds.
Next comes service. You must deliver the divorce papers to your spouse. Options include the Burlington County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. Proof of service goes in the court file. New Jersey has no waiting period after filing. In uncontested cases where both sides agree, the court can issue a final divorce decree relatively quickly. Contested cases may require mediation or trial before a judge in Burlington County signs the divorce decree. The final judgment dissolves the marriage and sets the terms for property, custody, and support.
Note: Burlington County offers self-help form packets for uncontested divorces and refers parents to mandatory parenting education programs.
Burlington County Divorce Decree Contents
A divorce decree from Burlington County is the court order that ends a marriage. It spells out the terms both parties must follow. The document covers several key areas.
A typical Burlington County divorce decree includes:
- Names and addresses of both parties
- Date of marriage and date of separation
- Grounds for the divorce
- Property and debt division
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support and alimony amounts
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, New Jersey allows fault and no-fault grounds. Most Burlington County cases use irreconcilable differences as the no-fault ground. Certified copies of the divorce decree are needed for things like name changes, remarriage, and property transfers. You can get them from the Burlington County clerk or the Records Center in Trenton.
Legal Resources in Burlington County
Free and low-cost legal help is available for Burlington County divorce cases. Legal Services of New Jersey operates a hotline at (888) 576-5529. South Jersey Legal Services also covers Burlington County for residents who meet income requirements. The New Jersey Courts Self-Help Center provides all the forms and instructions you need to file for divorce without a lawyer.
The state bar lawyer referral line is 1-800-792-8315. A first consultation with a family law attorney in Burlington County lasts up to 30 minutes. You can also get a divorce certificate from the Department of Health vital records office if you just need proof that the divorce occurred. The certificate costs $25 and does not include the full terms of the divorce decree.
Historical Burlington County Divorce Records
Burlington County is one of the original New Jersey counties, formed in 1694. Its record history goes back to the colonial period. For divorce decree records before 1947, researchers should check the Court of Chancery records at the New Jersey State Archives, 225 West State Street in Trenton. The Archives can search up to a five-year range for specific cases. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Early divorce records are rare since divorce was hard to get in colonial times.
For cases from 1947 onward, records may be at either the State Archives or the Records Center. Contact both to locate a specific Burlington County divorce decree.
Cities in Burlington County
Burlington County has over 40 municipalities. All divorce decree cases go through the Superior Court, Family Division in Mount Holly. The courthouse at 49 Rancocas Road serves the entire county.
Municipalities in Burlington County include Mount Holly, Willingboro, Evesham Township, Moorestown, Bordentown, Cinnaminson, Medford, Burlington City, Delran, Mount Laurel, Pemberton, and Maple Shade. All divorce decree filings go through the Mount Holly courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Burlington County. You must file for divorce in the county where you live. Check your address to confirm which county has jurisdiction over your divorce decree case.