Obtain a Burlington County Marriage License

Burlington County is the largest county by land area in New Jersey and has 40 municipalities, each with a local registrar who handles marriage license applications. The Burlington County Clerk's office in Mount Holly also offers wedding ceremony services, which is a unique feature not found in every county. To get a marriage license in Burlington County, both partners must visit the registrar in the town where one of them lives. Bring photo ID, proof of Social Security number, and a witness. The standard $28 fee and 72-hour waiting period apply across all Burlington County municipalities.

Burlington County Clerk and Marriage Services

The Burlington County Clerk's office is located at 50 Rancocas Road, 3rd Floor, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. County Clerk Joanne Schwartz oversees this office. While the clerk does not issue marriage licenses directly, the office provides wedding ceremony services at the Mount Holly location. This is a helpful option for couples who want a simple civil ceremony in Burlington County.

The Burlington County marriage ceremony service has a few guidelines. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Bring two adult witnesses to the ceremony. The wedding coordinator on staff handles the paperwork and submits it to the local registrar after the ceremony is complete. If you need to cancel or reschedule, call 609-265-5122 or email countyclerk@co.burlington.nj.us. These ceremonies are brief and focus on the legal aspects of the marriage in Burlington County.

Keep in mind that even if you use the clerk's ceremony service, you still need to obtain your marriage license from your local registrar first. The Burlington County Clerk performs the ceremony but does not issue the license itself.

Apply for a Marriage License in Burlington County

Marriage licenses in Burlington County are issued at the municipal level. You apply at the registrar in the town where you or your partner lives. Both of you must go together. A witness aged 18 or older joins you at the office. The registrar checks your documents, collects the $28 fee, and starts the 72-hour waiting period required by New Jersey Title 37.

The City of Burlington Health and Vital Statistics office handles marriage licenses for Burlington City residents. This office also provides marriage certificates at $25 for the first certified copy and $2 for each additional copy. If you live in Burlington City, this is where you start the process. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether an appointment is needed at this Burlington County location.

In Westampton Township, the registrar has the Marriage License Application form REG-77 available. You can ask about this form when you call to set up your visit. Westampton is one of 40 municipalities in Burlington County, and each one follows the same state rules for processing marriage license applications. The form and requirements are identical across all Burlington County towns.

Note: The full list of Burlington County municipal registrars is available through the New Jersey registrar directory.

Burlington County License Documents

Each person needs a valid government photo ID. A driver's license or passport is best. You also need proof of your Social Security number. Bring your Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub with the full number visible. If born outside the US, bring a birth certificate with a certified English translation if it is not already in English.

Prior marriages must be accounted for when you apply in Burlington County. If you were married before, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree, annulment, or your former spouse's death certificate. The registrar in Burlington County will verify this before accepting your application. Both parties must be 18 or older. New Jersey does not require a blood test. There is no residency length requirement either. You just need to live in the Burlington County municipality where you apply.

Your witness must be present when you submit the application. They sign as a witness to the application, not to the ceremony. The witness does not need to live in Burlington County. They just need to be 18 and have a photo ID with them.

Burlington County Wait Period and Validity

Once your Burlington County registrar accepts your application, the 72-hour waiting period starts. This is state law. You cannot skip it. After 72 hours pass, return to the registrar to pick up your marriage license. The license is then valid for 30 days. Your ceremony must take place within that window or you will need to reapply in Burlington County.

Plan your timeline carefully. Many Burlington County couples apply two to three weeks before their ceremony date. This gives room for the wait period and avoids cutting it close to the 30-day deadline. If something delays your wedding beyond 30 days, the license expires with no option to extend it. You would go back to the same Burlington County registrar, fill out a new application, and pay $28 again.

The ceremony can happen anywhere in New Jersey. Getting your license in Burlington County does not mean you must marry here. A judge, mayor, or ordained minister performs the ceremony. After the wedding, the officiant completes the license and returns it to the registrar. The registrar files the marriage certificate with the New Jersey Department of Health.

Note: If you use the Burlington County Clerk's ceremony service in Mount Holly, the wedding coordinator handles the return of paperwork to the registrar for you.

Burlington County Marriage Certificates

After your marriage is recorded, you can get certified copies of the certificate. The registrar in the Burlington County municipality that issued your license is the first place to ask. Fees vary slightly by town. In Burlington City, the first certified copy costs $25 and additional copies are $2 each when ordered at the same time. Other Burlington County municipalities charge similar rates.

You can also order copies from the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton. The state office keeps records for all marriages performed across the state, including every municipality in Burlington County. This is useful if you are not sure which town holds the record or if the local office is hard to reach. The state vital records office accepts requests by mail and in person. Processing times at the state level tend to be longer than at a local Burlington County registrar.

Most people need several certified copies of their marriage certificate. Banks, insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, and the DMV all require them for name changes and account updates. Order three to five copies right after your Burlington County wedding to save time later.

Burlington County Marriage History

Burlington County was one of the first areas settled in New Jersey, dating back to the 1600s. Marriage records from the county go back centuries, though the oldest ones are often found in church archives rather than government offices. Civil registration of marriages in New Jersey began in 1848. Records from that point forward are held by the state and by local registrars in Burlington County.

For genealogy research, the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton has historical vital records including marriage records from Burlington County. Staff can help you search indexes and locate records from the 1800s and early 1900s. Local historical societies in Burlington County towns like Mount Holly, Bordentown, and Burlington City may also have information about early marriages in the area. Combining these sources gives you the best chance of finding older Burlington County marriage records for family history projects.

Nearby Counties

Burlington County shares borders with several other counties. If your partner lives outside Burlington County, you may need to apply at a registrar in their municipality instead.