AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE
(New Jersey – Court Rule–Compliant)
[// GUIDANCE: This template is designed for use in any New Jersey trial-level court (Law Division, Chancery Division, or Special Civil Part). It tracks the structure and content required by N.J. Ct. R. 4:4-7 and related provisions. Practitioners should verify venue-specific filing mechanics (e-Courts, paper, or mixed) before use.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Definitions
- Operative Provisions
- Representations & Warranties of Affiant
- General Provisions
- Execution Block
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
[COURT DIVISION & PART]
[COUNTY]
DOCKET NO.: [_______]
Plaintiff(s): [___]
v.
Defendant(s): [_______]
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE
STATE OF NEW JERSEY )
:ss.
COUNTY OF [__] )
I, [FULL LEGAL NAME OF PROCESS SERVER/COURIER] (“Affiant”), being duly sworn according to law, depose and state as follows:
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Affidavit, the following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:
2.1 “Action” means the civil matter captioned above, pending in the Superior Court of New Jersey.
2.2 “Process Documents” means the pleading(s), summons(es), notice(s), order(s), subpoena(s), or other papers described in Section 3.1 below.
2.3 “Service Address” means the physical location or mailing address where service was effected, identified in Section 3.3.
2.4 “Service Date” means the calendar date on which service was completed under N.J. Ct. R. 4:4-4 or other applicable rule, as set forth in Section 3.2.
2.5 “Authorized Recipient” means the individual or entity upon whom substitute service was made in compliance with N.J. Ct. R. 4:4-4(b) or (c).
3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS
3.1 Documents Served. On the Service Date, Affiant served the following Process Documents (collectively, the “Service Packet”):
a. [☐] Summons & Complaint
b. [☐] Notice of Motion dated [_]
c. [☐] Order to Show Cause signed [_]
d. [☐] Other: _________
3.2 Service Date & Time. Service was completed on [DATE] at [TIME] [AM/PM].
3.3 Physical/Mailing Location. Service occurred at [Service Address, including municipality and ZIP].
3.4 Method(s) of Service. Affiant effectuated service by the method(s) checked below, each in strict compliance with N.J. Ct. R. 4:4 and N.J. Ct. R. 1:5, as applicable:
☐ Personal delivery to in-state individual defendant (R. 4:4-4(a)(1)).
☐ Personal delivery to corporate defendant via registered agent/officer (R. 4:4-4(a)(6)).
☐ Substitute service by leaving copies at defendant’s dwelling with [NAME & RELATIONSHIP] (R. 4:4-4(a)(2)).
☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested, and ordinary mail pursuant to R. 4:4-4(c).
☐ Service upon attorney of record pursuant to R. 1:5-2.
☐ Court-ordered alternative service (R. 4:4-4(b)(3)); see Order dated [__] attached as Exhibit A.
☐ Other method authorized by rule or statute: ___.
3.5 Attempt Log (if personal or substitute service).
• Attempt #1: [DATE/TIME] – Result: ____
• Attempt #2: [DATE/TIME] – Result: ___
• Attempt #3: [DATE/TIME] – Result: _____
3.6 Timing Compliance. Service was completed within the time prescribed by:
a. R. 4:4-1 (complaint service within 90 days of filing); or
b. Court Order dated [__] extending service deadline; or
c. Other: ____.
3.7 Charges Incurred. Total fee charged for service: $[_____]. [// GUIDANCE: Fee disclosure may be useful if costs will be taxed.]
4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES OF AFFIANT
4.1 Capacity & Competence. Affiant is over eighteen (18) years of age, of sound mind, not a party to the Action, and competent to testify to the matters stated herein.
4.2 Professional Credentials.
a. ☐ Affiant is a Special Civil Part Officer appointed under N.J.S.A. 2A:12-10.
b. ☐ Affiant holds PTC Certification # [_____].
c. ☐ Affiant is a private process server in compliance with R. 4:4-3.
4.3 Truth & Accuracy. Affiant warrants the truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of all statements contained in this Affidavit, subject to penalty of perjury.
4.4 Record Retention. Affiant will maintain contemporaneous service records for at least five (5) years and will produce the same upon lawful subpoena or court order.
5. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1 Integration. This Affidavit constitutes the entire proof of service required under N.J. Ct. R. 4:4-7 and supersedes any prior oral or written statements relating to the same subject matter.
5.2 Severability. If any provision of this Affidavit is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the extent permitted by law.
5.3 Electronic & Facsimile Copies. A scanned, facsimile, or other electronic reproduction of this executed Affidavit shall be deemed an original for all court filings and evidentiary purposes.
6. EXECUTION BLOCK
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment. (R. 1:4-4(b))
Date: ___ / ___ / 20___
[PRINT NAME OF AFFIANT]
[Company/Firm, if any]
[Business Address]
[Telephone] | [E-Mail]
STATE OF NEW JERSEY )
:ss.
COUNTY OF [__] )
Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this ___ day of _, 20, by [Name of Affiant], who is personally known to me or has produced satisfactory evidence of identification, and who acknowledged that he/she executed the same for the purposes therein contained.
Notary Public of New Jersey
My Commission Expires: ____
OPTIONAL EXHIBITS
Exhibit A – Court Order Authorizing Alternate/Substitute Service
Exhibit B – USPS Certified Mail Receipt(s)
Exhibit C – Photographic Evidence of Service Location
[// GUIDANCE: Attach only those exhibits necessary to prove compliance. Omit if not applicable.]
KEY NEW JERSEY AUTHORITY
• N.J. Ct. R. 4:4-4 (methods of service)
• N.J. Ct. R. 4:4-7 (proof/return of service)
• N.J. Ct. R. 1:5-2 (service on attorney)
[// GUIDANCE: Citations limited to well-established, core rules per the Citation Policy.]
[END OF DOCUMENT]