N.J. Stat. tit. 52, ch. 6

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-12 Appointment; number; designation and description; application; fees

a. The Secretary of State may appoint such number of commissioners resident in each of the States and territories of the United States and the District of Columbia as he may deem expedient, except where the appointments are incompatible with the laws of the jurisdiction wherein the commissioners reside. Persons thus appointed shall be commissioned by the Governor. b. Each commissioner so appointed shall be designated a "foreign commissioner of deeds for New Jersey," and may be so described in his appointment and commission or as a "commissioner for taking the acknowledgment or proof of deeds for New Jersey in (such State, territory or district)." He may use either of these designations in his certificates. c. A person desiring to be appointed and commissioned a foreign commissioner of deeds shall make application to the Secretary of State on a form prescribed by him and endorsed by a member of the Legislature or the Secretary of State or the Assistant Secretary of State. Renewals shall be made in the same manner as the original application. The fees required to be paid for the issuance of any commission to a person appointed as foreign commissioner of deeds for New Jersey shall be paid to the Secretary of State, who shall account to the State Treasurer for the same. Amended by L.1947, c. 264, p. 966, s. 1; L.1981, c. 395, s. 1, eff. Jan. 6, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-13 Terms of office; removal by governor

Commissioners appointed by virtue of section 52:6-12 of this title shall hold office for a term of three years. They may be removed from office at the pleasure of the governor, and shall be removed if it is made to appear to the governor that they have been or are charging more or greater fees than are allowed by law.

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-14 Removal from residence as vacating appointment

Except as provided in section 52:6-15 of this title, if a foreign commissioner removes out of the state, territory or district in which he resides at the time of his appointment, his commission shall thereupon be void.

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-15 Foreign commissioner of deeds for adjoining states

No person shall be denied appointment as a foreign commissioner of deeds of an adjoining state on account of residence outside of that State, provided such person resides in this State. The official acts of such a commissioner resident in this State and performed in an adjoining state shall be as valid and effectual as if he had resided in the adjoining state. Amended by L.1981, c. 395, s. 2, eff. Jan. 6, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-16 Fee to accompany application for commission

Each applicant for a commission as a foreign commissioner of deeds for New Jersey shall inclose with his application the fee required by section 22:4-1 of the title Fees and Costs, which shall be returned if a commission is not issued to him.

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-17 Official oath; by whom administered

Each foreign commissioner of deeds shall, before he enters upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe an oath to perform well and faithfully the duties of his office in accordance with the laws of this State. The oath may be administered by any person authorized to do so under R.S. 41:2-1 or R.S. 41:2-17. Amended by L.1981, c. 395, s. 3, eff. Jan. 6, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-18 Seal; impression of filed with secretary of state

Each foreign commissioner of deeds shall attest his official acts by an official seal, an impression of which, in wax or other appropriate substance shall, with his official oath, be filed in the office of the secretary of state of this state.

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-20 Use and effect of official certificates

The official certificates of a foreign commissioner of deeds attested by his official seal may be indorsed upon or annexed to any instrument of writing for use or record in this state, and shall be entitled to full faith and credit.

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-21 Manual; provision to applicants

The secretary of state shall provide to each applicant a manual prescribing the powers and duties of a foreign commissioner of deeds. Amended by L.1981, c. 395, s. 4, eff. Jan. 6, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 52:6-22 List of foreign commissioners of deeds

The secretary of state shall maintain a list of all foreign commissioners of deeds including the dates of their appointment and the expiration of their terms. Amended by L.1981, c. 395, s. 5, eff. Jan. 6, 1982.

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