Burlington County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Burlington County?

Public records in Burlington County are defined according to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., as government records that have been made, maintained, kept on file, or received in the course of official business by any government officer or agency. These records are generally available for public inspection and copying, with certain exceptions as provided by law.

Burlington County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that includes:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Burlington County Superior Court. These include complaints, motions, orders, judgments, and case dispositions.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments maintained by the Burlington County Clerk's Office.
Vital Records: Birth certificates (for births occurring in Burlington County), death certificates, marriage licenses, and civil union records. These are maintained by the Burlington County Clerk's Office and local municipal registrars.
Business Records: Business registrations, trade names, and fictitious business name filings maintained by the County Clerk's Office.
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps maintained by the Burlington County Board of Taxation and municipal tax assessors.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports maintained by the Burlington County Board of Elections.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the Burlington County Board of Commissioners, planning boards, zoning boards, and other public bodies.
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial statements, audits, and expenditure reports.
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports that are not exempt from disclosure.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, construction permits, and development applications.

The Burlington County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, while specialized departments maintain others according to their respective functions.

Is Burlington County an Open Records County?

Burlington County fully complies with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this state law, all government records are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by OPRA or other state or federal laws.

N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 explicitly states: "Government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this State, with certain exceptions, for the protection of the public interest, and any limitations on the right of access accorded by P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.) as amended and supplemented, shall be construed in favor of the public's right of access."

Burlington County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with OPRA. The county maintains an official OPRA request form that members of the public may use to submit requests for government records.

Additionally, Burlington County complies with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. § 10:4-6 et seq., commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and properly noticed.

Each Burlington County department has designated records custodians responsible for responding to OPRA requests within the statutorily mandated timeframe of seven business days, unless an extension is warranted due to the nature or volume of the request.

How to Find Public Records in Burlington County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Burlington County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Submit an OPRA Request: Individuals may submit a formal request under the Open Public Records Act to the appropriate records custodian. Requests may be submitted:
- In person at the relevant county office
- By mail to the appropriate department
- Online through the Burlington County OPRA Request Portal
- By email to the designated records custodian
Visit the Burlington County Clerk's Office: Many records are available for in-person inspection during regular business hours.

Burlington County Clerk's Office
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5122
Burlington County Clerk
Access Online Databases: Burlington County provides several online resources for accessing public records:
- Property records can be searched through the County Clerk's Land Records Database
- Court records can be accessed through the New Jersey Courts Public Access System
- Tax records are available through municipal websites and the Burlington County Board of Taxation
Contact Specialized Departments: Certain records are maintained by specific departments:
- For vital records, contact the Burlington County Clerk's Office or the municipal clerk in the town where the event occurred
- For court records, contact the Burlington County Superior Court
- For law enforcement records, contact the relevant police department or the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office
Attend Public Meetings: Meeting minutes and agendas are typically available on the Burlington County website or by contacting the relevant board or commission.

When requesting records, individuals should provide as much specific information as possible to help records custodians locate the requested documents efficiently.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Burlington County?

Burlington County follows the fee structure established by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, for providing copies of government records. The current standard fees are:

Paper Copies:
- Letter size (8.5" x 11") and legal size (8.5" x 14"): $0.05 per page
- Larger sizes: Actual cost of duplication
Electronic Records:
- Records sent via email or downloaded from a website: No charge
- Records provided on storage media (CD, DVD, USB drive): Cost of the storage medium
Special Service Charges: May apply when the request requires extraordinary time or effort to accommodate. These charges must reflect the actual direct cost of providing the records.
Specialized Records:
- Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $25.00 for the first copy, $2.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time
- Recorded land documents (deeds, mortgages): $10.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page
- Maps and large format documents: Actual cost of reproduction

Accepted payment methods include:

Cash (in-person only)
Check or money order (made payable to the appropriate Burlington County department)
Credit/debit cards (for certain departments and online services)

It is important to note that under OPRA, the public has the right to inspect records at no cost during regular business hours. Fees apply only when copies are requested. Additionally, certain requestors, such as news media representatives seeking records in the public interest, may qualify for fee waivers under specific circumstances.

Does Burlington County Have Free Public Records?

Burlington County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost:

In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, members of the public have the right to inspect government records during regular business hours at no charge. Records custodians will make arrangements for supervised access to the requested documents.
Online Resources: Burlington County offers free access to numerous public records through its official website and other online platforms:
- The Burlington County Board of Commissioners meeting agendas and minutes are available at no cost
- Property assessment information can be accessed through the county's tax assessment database
- Election results and voter information are freely available through the Board of Elections website
- Court case information can be searched through the New Jersey Courts public access portal
Electronic Delivery: When records are available in electronic format, Burlington County provides them via email at no charge, as required by OPRA.
Public Libraries: The Burlington County Library System provides free public access to computers where residents can access online county records and resources.
Government Publications: Reports, studies, and publications produced by Burlington County departments are often available for free download from the county website or through the county library system.

It should be noted that while inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies of records as outlined in the fee schedule established under OPRA. Additionally, specialized records such as certified vital records always carry statutory fees regardless of the request method.

Who Can Request Public Records in Burlington County?

Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, any person has the right to request access to government records in Burlington County. The law specifically states that government records shall be readily accessible for "inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this State," but in practice, Burlington County processes requests from any individual regardless of citizenship or residency status.

Key eligibility considerations include:

Residency Requirements: There is no requirement to be a resident of Burlington County or New Jersey to request public records.
Identification: While basic contact information is required on the OPRA request form, requestors are not generally required to provide identification or state the reason for their request. However, for certain records such as vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), proper identification and proof of relationship or interest may be required in accordance with state law.
Business Entities: Corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities may request public records through an authorized representative.
Attorneys and Agents: Individuals may authorize attorneys or other agents to request records on their behalf.
Restrictions for Specific Record Types:
- Vital records access is limited to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those who can demonstrate a direct interest in the record as outlined in N.J.S.A. § 26:8-62.
- Criminal history information may have restricted access pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1.
- Certain property records may be restricted if they contain privacy information as defined in N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.2.
Incarcerated Individuals: Persons incarcerated in state or county facilities may be subject to certain limitations on their right to request government records under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1, particularly regarding records related to victims or witnesses.

The law does not require requestors to explain why they want access to a particular record, and such requests cannot be denied based on the requestor's intended use of the records, except in very limited circumstances as specified by statute.

What Records Are Confidential in Burlington County?

While Burlington County strives to provide access to public records, certain categories of information are exempt from public disclosure under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1, and other state and federal laws. These confidential records include:

Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, unlisted telephone numbers, and drivers' license numbers are exempt from disclosure.
Criminal Investigatory Records: Records pertaining to ongoing investigations that are not required by law to be made, maintained, or kept on file.
Victim Information: Records containing information that would disclose the identity of a victim of a crime or domestic violence.
Juvenile Records: Records related to juveniles charged as delinquents or in need of supervision, as protected under N.J.S.A. § 2A:4A-60.
Medical and Mental Health Records: Information related to an individual's medical, psychiatric, or psychological history, diagnosis, treatment, or evaluation.
Personnel and Pension Records: Employee personnel files, including performance evaluations, grievances, and disciplinary actions, with certain exceptions for basic employment information.
Emergency Response Plans: Security measures and surveillance techniques that would create a risk to the safety of persons, property, or electronic data.
Inter-agency or Intra-agency Advisory, Consultative, or Deliberative Material: Documents reflecting the deliberative process of government decision-making.
Attorney-Client Privileged Communications: Confidential communications between a public body and its attorney.
Trade Secrets and Proprietary Commercial Information: Confidential business information submitted to the county.
Computer Security Information: Information regarding computer hardware, software, and networks that could jeopardize computer security.
Building Security Information: Information concerning security measures and surveillance techniques for buildings or facilities.
Certain Educational Records: Student records protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Domestic Violence Records: Information that would disclose the location of a domestic violence shelter or safe house.
Certain Vital Records: Birth records less than 80 years old, marriage records less than 50 years old, and death records less than 40 years old have restricted access under N.J.S.A. § 26:8-62.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Burlington County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record, as required by N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(g).

Burlington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Burlington County Clerk's Office
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5122
Burlington County Clerk

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Extended hours: Wednesday until 6:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Recording Division Services:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
Filing of business trade names
Passport application processing
Veteran ID cards
Notary public registrations
County clerk certificates

Vital Records Division:
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5142
Burlington County Vital Records

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Extended hours: Wednesday until 6:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Vital Records Services: