N.J. Stat. tit. 46, ch. 14

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 46:14-2.1 Acknowledgement and proof.

46:14-2.1. Acknowledgment and proof. a. To acknowledge a deed or other instrument the maker of the instrument shall appear before an officer specified in R.S.46:14-6.1 or use communication technology to appear before the officer pursuant to section 19 of P.L.2021, c.179 (C.52:7-10.10.) and acknowledge that it was executed as the maker's own act. To acknowledge a deed or other instrument made on behalf of a corporation or other entity, the maker shall appear before an officer specified in R.S.46:14-6.1 and state that the maker was authorized to execute the instrument on behalf of the entity and that the maker executed the instrument as the act of the entity. b. To prove a deed or other instrument, a subscribing witness shall appear before an officer specified in R.S.46:14-6.1 or use communication technology to appear before the officer pursuant to section 19 of P.L.2021, c.179 (C.52:7-10.10) and swear that he or she witnessed the maker of the instrument execute the instrument as the maker's own act. To prove a deed or other instrument executed on behalf of a corporation or other entity, a subscribing witness shall appear before an officer specified in R.S.46:14-6.1 or use communication technology to appear before the officer pursuant to section 19 of P.L.2021, c.179 (C.52:7-10.10) and swear that the representative was authorized to execute the instrument on behalf of the entity, and that he or she witnessed the representative execute the instrument as the act of the entity. c. The officer taking an acknowledgment or proof shall sign a certificate stating that acknowledgment or proof. The certificate shall also state: (1) that the maker or the witness personally appeared before the officer; (2) that the officer was satisfied that the person who made the acknowledgment or proof was the maker of or the witness to the instrument; (3) the jurisdiction in which the acknowledgment or proof was taken; (4) the officer's name and title; (5) the date on which the acknowledgment was taken. d. The seal of the officer taking the acknowledgment or proof need not be affixed to the certificate stating that acknowledgment or proof. e. A certificate that is substantially in the form provided in subsection b. of section 13 of P.L.2021, c.179 (C.52:7-19) satisfies the requirements of this section. added 1991, c.308, s.1; amended 2021, c.179, s.30.

N.J. Stat. § 46:14-4.1 Proof of instruments not acknowledged or proved

46:14-4.1. Proof of instruments not acknowledged or proved. If a deed or other instrument cannot be acknowledged or proved for any reason, the instrument may be proved in Superior Court by proof of handwriting or otherwise to the satisfaction of the court. Notice of the application in accordance with the Rules of Court shall be given to any party whose interests may be affected. L.1991,c.308,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 46:14-4.2 Signatures

46:14-4.2. Signatures. For purposes of this title, a signature includes any mark made on a document by a person who thereby intends to give legal effect to the document. A signature also includes any mark made on a document on behalf of a person, with that person's authority and to effectuate that person's intent. L.1991,c.308,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 46:14-6.1 Officers authorized to take acknowledgments.

46:14-6.1. Officers authorized to take acknowledgments. a. The officers of this State authorized to take acknowledgments or proofs in this State, or in any other United States or foreign jurisdiction, are: (1) an attorney-at-law; (2) a notary public; (3) a county clerk or deputy county clerk; (4) a register of deeds and mortgages or a deputy register; (5) a surrogate or deputy surrogate. b. The officers authorized to take acknowledgments or proofs, in addition to those listed in subsection a., are: (1) any officer of the United States, of a state, territory or district of the United States, or of a foreign nation authorized at the time and place of the acknowledgment or proof by the laws of that jurisdiction to take acknowledgments or proofs. If the certificate of acknowledgment or proof does not designate the officer as a justice, judge or notary, the certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or an affidavit appended to it, shall contain a statement of the officer's authority to take acknowledgments or proofs; (2) a foreign service or consular officer or other representative of the United States to any foreign nation, within the territory of that nation. added 1991, c.308, s.1; amended 2021, c.179, s.31.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026