Burlington County Probate Records Guide
Burlington County probate court records date back to 1804 and are held at the Surrogate's Court in Mount Holly. This is the largest county by land area in New Jersey. The Surrogate's office keeps wills, estate files, guardianship papers, and administration records for all of Burlington County. You can search these probate court records online through the county's free estate index or by contacting the office in person. Older probate court records from Burlington County are also stored on microfilm at the New Jersey State Archives. This guide walks through how to find and request the records you need.
Burlington County Quick Facts
Burlington County Surrogate's Court Office
The Burlington County Surrogate's Court is the main office for all probate court records in the county. Brian J. Carlin serves as the Surrogate. The office is at 50 Rancocas Road on the first floor in Mount Holly. All wills filed in Burlington County pass through this office. The staff can help you search for estate records, pull old case files, and get copies of probate court records.
Burlington County was formed in 1694 as one of the original West Jersey counties. It is the largest county in the state by land area. The Surrogate's Court has served as the place to file wills and handle estate matters for more than two centuries. Probate court records here go back to 1804. That long span makes this office a key resource for both legal and family history research across Burlington County.
The Burlington County Surrogate's official page has details on services and forms you may need.
The site lists forms for wills, estate administration, and guardianship filings in Burlington County.
| Office |
Burlington County Surrogate's Court 50 Rancocas Road, 1st Floor P.O. Box 6000 Mt. Holly, NJ 08060 Phone: (609) 265-5005 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (609) 265-4511 |
| surrogates@co.burlington.nj.us | |
| Surrogate | Brian J. Carlin |
In-person visits to the Burlington County Surrogate's office are by appointment only. Most business can be handled by phone, email, or mail.
How to Search Burlington County Probate Records
There are a few ways to search for probate court records in Burlington County. The most direct path is the county's free online estate index. You can also call the Surrogate's office, send an email request, or visit by appointment. Each method works well for different needs. A quick name check is easy to do online. More complex requests may need a phone call or a trip to Mount Holly.
Burlington County offers a free online records search through its estate index. This tool lets you look up probate court records at no charge. You can search by the name of the person whose estate was filed. The index shows basic case data. It is a good first step before you request full documents from the Surrogate's Court in Burlington County.
The Burlington County records search portal is shown below.
This free tool covers estate files in the Burlington County system.
To search probate court records in Burlington County, you will need at least one of these:
- Full name of the deceased person
- Year of death or filing
- Estate docket number if known
- Type of record such as will or administration
Note: The online estate index is free, but copies of full probate court records from Burlington County may have a per-page fee.
Burlington County Probate Record Types
The Surrogate's Court in Burlington County holds several types of probate court records. Each one serves a distinct role in the estate process. Wills are the most common. A will names who should get a person's property after death. When someone files a will with the Burlington County Surrogate, it becomes part of the public record. The court then issues letters testamentary, which give the named executor the right to act on behalf of the estate.
When a person dies without a will, the estate goes through administration. The Burlington County Surrogate's Court issues letters of administration to the next of kin or another qualified party. This lets that person manage the estate, pay debts, and split assets according to New Jersey law. Administration bonds were also required in many older cases. The Burlington County records include administration bonds going back to 1862. These bonds served as a form of insurance that the administrator would handle the estate properly.
Guardianship records make up another set of probate court records in Burlington County. The Surrogate's Court handles guardianships for minors whose parents have died. It also deals with guardianships for adults who lack the ability to manage their own affairs. You can reach the guardianship unit at (609) 265-5201. Estate litigation matters, which can include will contests and disputes among heirs, are handled at (609) 265-5235 in Burlington County.
Orphans Court records are a distinct set of probate court records in Burlington County. These files cover divisions of estate property and related court orders. The New Jersey State Archives holds Orphans Court Divisions from Burlington County for the years 1853 through 1902 on three reels of microfilm. Accounts filed with the court from 1871 to 1903 are also part of the archived Burlington County probate court records.
Burlington County Records at State Archives
The New Jersey State Archives in Trenton holds a large set of older Burlington County probate court records on microfilm. These records are useful for anyone researching estates from the 1800s and early 1900s. The Archives is a key resource when the records you need are too old for the Surrogate's current system.
The State Archives catalog for Burlington County lists the following probate court records on microfilm:
- Will Books from 1804 to 1900, stored on 13 reels
- Orphans Court Divisions from 1853 to 1902, on 3 reels
- Administration Bonds from 1862 to 1905
- Accounts from 1871 to 1903
- Dockets and Indexes from 1804 through the 1960s
The State Archives catalog page for Burlington County probate court records is shown here.
These microfilm reels can be viewed in person at the State Archives in Trenton.
You can also search a portion of these holdings through the State Archives online portal. The portal allows keyword searches across digitized indexes. Not all Burlington County probate court records are in the portal yet, but it is worth a try before you make the trip to Trenton.
Note: The State Archives is a separate facility from the Burlington County Surrogate's Court. Hours and access rules differ.
Filing a Will in Burlington County
You can file a will for safekeeping with the Burlington County Surrogate's Court while you are still alive. This is not required by law, but it keeps the will in a safe place. The Surrogate's office stores the original will in a vault. After the person dies, the executor brings a death certificate and the will is admitted to probate. This creates a new set of probate court records tied to that estate in Burlington County.
Under N.J.S.A. 3B:3-22 and 3B:3-19, a will in New Jersey must be in writing, signed by the person making it, and signed by at least two witnesses. Self-proved wills include a notarized affidavit from the witnesses, which speeds up the probate process. If a will does not meet these rules, it may be challenged in Burlington County Surrogate's Court. Holographic wills, which are handwritten and lack witness signatures, may be valid under N.J.S.A. 3B:3-19 if the key parts are in the handwriting of the person who made it.
Once a will is admitted to probate in Burlington County, it becomes a public record. Anyone can request a copy. The executor named in the will gets letters testamentary from the Surrogate. These letters prove the executor has the right to act for the estate. Banks, title companies, and other parties will ask to see these letters when the executor handles estate business in Burlington County.
Burlington County Estate Administration Records
When someone dies without a valid will, the estate must go through administration. The Burlington County Surrogate's Court appoints an administrator under N.J.S.A. 3B:10-1. The surviving spouse has the first right to serve. If there is no spouse, the next of kin may apply. The court issues letters of administration, which serve the same role as letters testamentary but for estates without a will.
The administrator must collect the assets of the estate, pay all valid debts, and then distribute what remains to the heirs according to New Jersey's intestacy laws under N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3 and 3B:10-4. These laws set a fixed order for who gets what. The spouse and children come first. If there are no close relatives, more distant kin may inherit. All of these steps produce probate court records that are filed with the Burlington County Surrogate's Court.
Accounts are another type of probate court record created during estate administration in Burlington County. The executor or administrator files an account with the court that shows all money received, all debts paid, and how the remaining assets were split. The court reviews the account and issues an order. These accounts are part of the public record in Burlington County.
Note: The New Jersey Courts directory lists contact details for all county surrogates, including Burlington County.
Burlington County Probate Records for Genealogy
Probate court records are a rich source for family history research. Burlington County's records stretch back to 1804. Wills often name spouses, children, and other relatives. They may list land, personal items, and debts. This level of detail makes Burlington County probate court records valuable for tracing family lines and understanding how ancestors lived.
The Will Books from 1804 to 1900 at the State Archives are the best place to start for older Burlington County research. These 13 reels of microfilm contain the full text of wills proved in the county during that span. The Dockets and Indexes, which run from 1804 through the 1960s, let you look up names and find the right volume and page. Orphans Court records can reveal how property was split among heirs in Burlington County, often naming minor children and their guardians.
For probate court records after 1900 in Burlington County, contact the Surrogate's Court at (609) 265-5005. Staff can search their files and provide copies. The free online estate index is a good starting point for more recent records. Pair the Burlington County probate court records with census data, land records, and church records for a fuller picture of your family.
Contacting the Burlington County Surrogate
The Burlington County Surrogate's Court has several phone lines for different needs. The main number for probate and administration questions is (609) 265-5005. Estate litigation calls go to (609) 265-5235. Guardianship matters are handled at (609) 265-5201. You can also fax documents to (609) 265-4511 or send email to surrogates@co.burlington.nj.us.
Mail requests for probate court records should go to the Burlington County Surrogate's Court, P.O. Box 6000, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060. Include the full name of the deceased, the approximate year of death, and what records you need. The staff will search the files and let you know what is available and what the cost will be for copies of Burlington County probate court records.
The New Jersey Courts website also has general information on how the Surrogate's Court system works across all counties.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Burlington County. If you are not sure which county holds the probate court records you need, check the address where the deceased lived. The will is filed in the county of residence at the time of death.