N.J. Stat. tit. 46, ch. 30C

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 46:30C-1 Definitions relative to lost, abandoned property.

1. As used in this act: a. "Abandoned property" is property of which the owner has intentionally given up possession under circumstances evincing intent to give up ownership. b. "Lost property" is property the possession of which has been parted with casually, involuntarily or unintentionally; or which has been mislaid, left or forgotten. c. A "finder" is a person who acquires legal possession by exercising physical control over abandoned or lost property. L.1999,c.331,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 46:30C-2 Assumption of ownership.

2. A finder of abandoned property may assume ownership of it. L.1999,c.331,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 46:30C-3 Reasonable efforts to return property to owner.

3. A finder of lost property shall make reasonable efforts to return the property to its owner. Reasonable efforts to return the property depend on the nature of the property, the circumstances in which it is found and the obtainable information concerning its owner. Reasonable efforts may include: a. Attempts to notify the owner of the lost property, or the owner of the premises where found, b. Delivery to the owner or person in charge of the premises where the property was found, or c. Delivery to the local police, or to a lost-and-found facility for the premises where the property was found. L.1999,c.331,s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 46:30C-4 Claiming of lost property.

4. a. A person may claim lost property only after making reasonable efforts to return the property to its owner. b. If the owner of the lost property does not reclaim it within 120 days of the commencement of reasonable efforts to return it: (1) The owner of the premises where the property was found may claim title to buried or hidden lost property or to lost property which a trespasser found; (2) The finder of the property may claim title to lost property in other cases. c. If the owner of the premises or finder does not claim the lost property, and an action is not pending to determine rights to the property: (1) Marketable property shall be sold by the clerk of the municipality in which it is located and the proceeds, less costs of sale shall be transmitted to the administrator of the "Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (1981)" (R.S.46:30B-1 et seq.), for deposit in the Unclaimed Personal Property Trust Fund established pursuant to the provisions of R.S.46:30B-74; (2) Non-marketable property may be treated as abandoned. L.1999,c.331,s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 46:30C-5 Inapplicability of act.

5. a. This act does not apply to property: (1) Subject to the provisions of the "Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (1981)" (R.S.46:30B-1 et seq.). (2) The acquisition or ownership of which requires a license, or property the ownership of which can be transferred only by document title. b. This act does not supersede statutes regulating abandoned and unclaimed motor vehicles pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 1964, c.81 (C.39:10A-1 et seq.) or abandoned vessels pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 1975, c.369 (C.12:7C-7 et seq.). L.1999,c.331,s.5.

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