N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-32
Service of process on Superior Court clerk
Operative Text
6. Service of process on the clerk of the Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part or municipal court having jurisdiction over the municipality in which the property is located shall be deemed service on the landlord upon submission to the court of the following: a. A certification of the tenant stating that he does not know the landlord's whereabouts after having made a diligent effort, satisfactory to the court, to determine the same; and b. Proof of failure of service by certified mail as provided in section 5 of this act. L.1974,c.50,s.6; amended 1981,c.299,s.4; 1991,c.91,s.456.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-32, New Jersey law establishes an alternative method for serving legal process on a landlord when the landlord's location cannot be determined. When a tenant has made a diligent effort to find the landlord and certified mail service has failed, delivering process to the clerk of the appropriate Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part, or municipal court is treated as valid service on the landlord. This mechanism ensures that legal proceedings are not indefinitely blocked simply because a landlord is unreachable or unresponsive.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-32 should be aware that maintaining accessible, up-to-date contact information is important because this provision allows courts to deem service complete even when a landlord cannot be located. Compliant operators generally ensure that tenants and courts have a reliable address for receiving legal notices, reducing the risk that proceedings advance without their knowledge. Keeping contact details current with tenants and any relevant local authorities is a practice consistent with the obligations this statute reflects.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-32 provides tenants with a legal pathway to serve process on a landlord who cannot be found after a genuine search and a failed certified mail attempt. A tenant who meets these conditions may submit a certification of their diligent efforts and proof of the failed mailing to the appropriate court, after which service on the court clerk is treated as service on the landlord. Tenants navigating this process may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with New Jersey court procedures.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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