New Jersey Form CN-10470 is the Certification in Support of Application for Default that a plaintiff files in the New Jersey Superior Court to ask the court clerk to enter default against a defendant who failed to answer a complaint within 35 days. The form is governed by Rule 4:43-1 and is used in civil, family, special civil, and probate matters across all 15 vicinages.
The form looks short, but a sloppy certification is the single most common reason clerks reject default applications. According to the New Jersey Judiciary’s annual statistics, roughly 1 in 4 default requests bounce back the first time, usually because the SCRA certification is wrong, service is unproven, or the damages math does not match the complaint.
- 📋 What CN-10470 does and who must sign it
- 🗂️ Every document you need before opening the PDF
- ✍️ A plain-English walkthrough of every field, box, and signature line
- 👨⚖️ Three filled-out scenarios you can copy
- 🚫 The 10 mistakes that get default applications denied
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form CN-10470 is the sworn statement a plaintiff (or the plaintiff’s attorney) gives the court to prove that a defendant was properly served, never answered, is not in the military, and owes a specific sum. The clerk uses it to decide whether to enter default under Rule 4:43-1, which is the procedural gate you must pass before asking for a default judgment under Rule 4:43-2.
Any plaintiff in a New Jersey Superior Court civil, family, or special civil action can file it. That includes pro se plaintiffs in collections cases, landlords pursuing money judgments after eviction, spouses moving forward in an uncontested divorce, and credit-card servicers chasing defaulted accounts. The form is filed in the Law Division, Chancery Division – Family Part, or Special Civil Part, depending on the case type and amount in controversy.
The form is most often filed alongside a Request to Enter Default, a non-military affidavit, proof of service, and an itemized damages statement. The current revision is dated 06/2023, printed in the lower-left footer of the official PDF posted on the njcourts.gov forms library. Always confirm you have that revision before signing because older versions omit the SCRA database certification language.
Federal law also touches this form. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. § 3931, requires every default plaintiff to certify the defendant’s military status, and a false SCRA certification is a federal crime. New Jersey adopted that requirement directly into Rule 1:5-7 and into CN-10470 itself.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
You cannot draft a clean CN-10470 from memory. Pull every supporting document first so the certification matches the record on file. Missing a single attachment is the fastest way to a clerk rejection.
- Filed complaint with docket number. The docket number must match the caption on CN-10470 exactly, or the clerk cannot pull your file.
- Proof of service (affidavit of service or signed return receipt). Without it, the clerk has no proof the 35-day clock under Rule 4:6-1 ever started.
- Defendant’s last known address. Needed for the SCRA database search and for any later mailing of a default judgment notice.
- Defendant’s full legal name (and any aliases). A misspelled name causes the SCRA result to come back “no match found” for the wrong person.
- Date the answer was due. Calculated as the service date plus 35 days; getting this wrong voids the certification.
- SCRA database printout. Run the search at the Defense Manpower Data Center SCRA site and save the PDF receipt with the certificate ID.
- Itemized damages worksheet. Principal, contractual or statutory interest, costs, and attorney fees if allowed by contract or statute.
- Copy of the contract, lease, note, or invoice. The clerk cross-checks the sum certain against the underlying document.
- Government-issued ID for notarization. Required if you sign before a notary instead of using the New Jersey self-executing certification language under Rule 1:4-4(b).
- Filing fee or fee waiver order. A default-judgment fee of $35 applies in many Law Division matters; fee waivers require a granted Form CN-10557.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative copy of CN-10470 lives on the New Jersey Judiciary’s website. Download the official CN-10470 PDF directly from the forms library so you get the 06/2023 revision with current SCRA language. Third-party legal-form sites often host stale versions that omit the database-search certification, and clerks will reject those.
You can fill the PDF on screen using Adobe Acrobat Reader or any browser PDF tool. The form is fillable, so type your entries rather than handwriting them; typed forms scan cleaner into eCourts and JEDS, the two electronic filing portals.
If you do not have a computer, every county courthouse has a self-help center with a public terminal. The Ombudsman in each vicinage can hand you a printed copy and walk you to a notary. Spanish-language versions are also available through the Language Services Section.
Attorneys must use eCourts for most civil filings. Self-represented litigants use JEDS unless their case type is not yet supported, in which case mail or in-person filing applies. Confirm your case type’s eligibility on the JEDS supported-case list before you upload.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out CN-10470 Line by Line
The form has a caption block, a numbered body of certifications, an SCRA section, a signature block, and a notary or self-certification line. Work through it in order; each section depends on the one above it.
Caption: Court, County, and Docket Number
The top of the form mirrors the caption from your complaint. Enter the Superior Court of New Jersey, the Division (Law, Chancery-Family, Chancery-General Equity, or Special Civil Part), the County (Vicinage), and the Docket Number exactly as they appear on your filed complaint.
How to answer it: Type the division and county in all caps, and copy the docket number with its prefix (for example, ESX-L-001234-25 for an Essex Law Division civil case from 2025). Do not abbreviate the county or invent a docket format.
A specific example: Maria Lopez, a pro se plaintiff in a Bergen County contract case, types SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, LAW DIVISION, BERGEN COUNTY, DOCKET NO. BER-L-004821-25.
Nuance: Special Civil Part cases use a DC prefix (for example, BER-DC-005678-25) and Family Part dissolution cases use FM (for example, BER-FM-001122-25). Using the wrong prefix sends the file to the wrong clerk’s queue.
Common mistake and consequence: Plaintiffs often drop the year suffix or the vicinage code. The clerk’s docket-search system returns no record found, the certification is rejected, and the 35-day default clock keeps running while you refile.
Misconception: Filers think the docket number from the complaint receipt email is enough. The clerk needs the judgment-style docket number printed on the filed complaint, not the temporary intake number from the upload confirmation.
Plaintiff and Defendant Names
Right under the caption, list the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) exactly as named in the complaint. The names must match character-for-character because the SCRA search and any later judgment will key off this block.
How to answer it: Type each party’s full legal name, last name first if that is how the complaint reads. Include any d/b/a or a/k/a exactly as pleaded.
A specific example: PLAINTIFF: LOPEZ, MARIA. DEFENDANT: SMITH, JOHN A., a/k/a JOHN ALAN SMITH.
Nuance: If you sued multiple defendants and only some defaulted, list every defendant in the caption but make clear in paragraph 1 of the body which defendant(s) the certification covers.
Common mistake and consequence: Plaintiffs add a middle initial that was not in the complaint. The SCRA result then shows a different person and the clerk denies default for inconsistent identification.
Misconception: People believe they can “clean up” a misspelled defendant name on CN-10470. You cannot. You must first amend the complaint under Rule 4:9-1, then file the certification with the corrected caption.
Paragraph 1: Identity of the Certifier
Paragraph 1 asks who is signing and in what capacity. The certifier must have personal knowledge of the facts.
How to answer it: Write your full legal name, your role (plaintiff, attorney for plaintiff, or authorized agent of a corporate plaintiff), and a one-sentence basis for personal knowledge.
A specific example: I, Maria Lopez, am the plaintiff in this matter and have personal knowledge of the facts set forth below.
Nuance: A corporate plaintiff must have an officer, employee, or records custodian sign. A debt buyer using a servicer needs to attach a separate power of attorney under Rule 4:5-1.
Common mistake and consequence: Attorneys sign without stating their role. The clerk reads the signature as a witness rather than a certifier and rejects the form for lack of personal knowledge.
Misconception: Filers think a paralegal can sign because they prepared the file. Paralegals cannot certify; only a person with first-hand knowledge of service and damages can.
Paragraph 2: Date and Manner of Service
Paragraph 2 establishes that the defendant was served and identifies how. This is the trigger for the 35-day answer clock.
How to answer it: State the exact date of service, the method (personal service, substituted service, certified and regular mail under Rule 4:4-4), and the address where service was made.
A specific example: On March 14, 2026, defendant John A. Smith was personally served at 123 Maple Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601, by Bergen County Sheriff’s Officer Badge #4421, as shown on the Affidavit of Service filed March 18, 2026.
Nuance: Mail service under Rule 4:4-4(c) is only valid if the certified-mail green card is signed by the defendant or an authorized adult and the regular-mail copy is not returned. If either fails, you cannot certify default.
Common mistake and consequence: Filers cite the mailing date instead of the service date. That mistake shifts the answer deadline by days, and the certification is voidable under Rule 4:50-1 if the defendant later moves to vacate.
Misconception: People think email service counts. New Jersey only allows email service by court order under Rule 4:4-4(b)(3), and you must reference that order in paragraph 2.
Paragraph 3: Time to Answer Has Expired
Paragraph 3 confirms the 35-day answer window under Rule 4:6-1 closed without an answer or motion.
How to answer it: State the date the answer was due (service date plus 35 days) and certify that no answer, appearance, or motion has been filed as of the date you sign.
A specific example: Defendant’s answer was due on or before April 18, 2026. As of the date of this certification, no answer, appearance, motion, or other responsive pleading has been filed or served.
Nuance: Special Civil Part cases use a 35-day window as well, but Tenancy actions use 5 business days; do not copy a Law Division deadline into a Special Civil Tenancy default.
Common mistake and consequence: Plaintiffs forget that a motion to dismiss extends the time to answer. Filing default while a motion is pending is sanctionable under Rule 1:4-8.
Misconception: Filers assume weekends do not count. They do; only the last day rolls to the next business day under Rule 1:3-1.
Paragraph 4: Sum Certain or Capable of Computation
Paragraph 4 lays out the dollar amount sought. Default judgments are only available where the amount is a sum certain or can be computed from the pleadings.
How to answer it: List the principal, prejudgment interest under Rule 4:42-11, contractual interest if pleaded, costs, and any statutory or contractual attorney fees. Show the math.
A specific example: Principal: $8,400.00. Contractual interest at 6% from January 1, 2025 to May 1, 2026 (485 days): $669.04. Costs: $250.00. Total: $9,319.04.
Nuance: Tort claims for unliquidated damages are not “sum certain” and require a proof hearing under Rule 4:43-2(b), not a clerk-entered judgment.
Common mistake and consequence: Plaintiffs claim more than the complaint demanded. Default judgments cannot exceed the ad damnum clause, and clerks cap the judgment at the complaint amount, leaving money on the table.
Misconception: Filers think they can add post-filing late fees. You cannot, unless the contract specifically authorizes them and they were pleaded.
Paragraph 5: Non-Military Status and SCRA Certification
Paragraph 5 is the federal SCRA certification, the most common point of failure. You must certify the defendant is not in active military service, was but is no longer, or that you cannot determine status.
How to answer it: Run the search at the DMDC SCRA database, attach the certificate to the form, and reference the certificate ID number in this paragraph. State the search date.
A specific example: On May 1, 2026, I searched the Department of Defense Manpower Data Center database using defendant’s full legal name and date of birth. The search returned a result of “not on active duty,” certificate ID DMDC-2026-04298765, attached as Exhibit B.
Nuance: If you do not have the defendant’s date of birth or SSN, the database returns unable to determine. In that case, you must request appointment of an attorney for the absent defendant under 50 U.S.C. § 3931(b)(2).
Common mistake and consequence: Plaintiffs check the “not in military” box without running the database search. The certification is false, the default judgment is voidable for up to 90 days after the servicemember’s discharge under § 3931(g), and the plaintiff can be sanctioned.
Misconception: Filers think a Google search or a phone call is enough. Only the official DMDC database printout satisfies the SCRA.
Signature Block and Self-Executing Certification
The signature block uses the self-executing certification language from Rule 1:4-4(b), which substitutes for a notary in New Jersey state-court filings.
How to answer it: Sign your name, type your printed name below, and date the certification. Above the signature, the form already contains the magic words: I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.
A specific example: Signed: /s/ Maria Lopez. Printed Name: Maria Lopez. Date: May 1, 2026.
Nuance: An out-of-state signer cannot use Rule 1:4-4(b); they must use a notary or a Rule 1:4-4(c) verification before a person authorized in their state.
Common mistake and consequence: Filers leave the date blank or sign before completing paragraph 5. The clerk treats the certification as incomplete and the default request is denied.
Misconception: People believe an electronic signature is not allowed. It is, under Rule 1:32-2A, as long as it is in the /s/ Name format.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario walks one filer from caption to signature so you can see how the same form looks across very different cases.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Bergen County Contract Default
Maria sold a custom kitchen island to John Smith for $8,400. He took delivery, never paid, and ignored her Law Division complaint.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / Division / County | SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, LAW DIVISION, BERGEN COUNTY |
| Docket Number | BER-L-004821-25 |
| Plaintiff / Defendant | LOPEZ, MARIA / SMITH, JOHN A. |
| Paragraph 1 (Certifier) | I am the plaintiff and have personal knowledge. |
| Paragraph 2 (Service) | Personal service on March 14, 2026, by Bergen Sheriff at 123 Maple Ave., Hackensack. |
| Paragraph 3 (Answer Due) | Answer due April 18, 2026; none filed. |
| Paragraph 4 (Damages) | Principal $8,400 + interest $669.04 + costs $250 = $9,319.04 |
| Paragraph 5 (SCRA) | DMDC search 5/1/2026, certificate ID DMDC-2026-04298765, not active duty. |
| Signature | /s/ Maria Lopez, May 1, 2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus Reed, Essex County Family Part Divorce Default
Marcus filed for divorce after a 22-year marriage. His spouse was personally served and never filed an Answer or Appearance.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / Division / County | SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, CHANCERY DIVISION – FAMILY PART, ESSEX COUNTY |
| Docket Number | ESX-FM-002233-25 |
| Plaintiff / Defendant | REED, MARCUS / REED, DENISE |
| Paragraph 1 (Certifier) | I am the plaintiff in this dissolution action. |
| Paragraph 2 (Service) | Personal service on February 2, 2026, at 17 Oak Street, Newark. |
| Paragraph 3 (Answer Due) | Answer due March 9, 2026; none filed. |
| Paragraph 4 (Relief) | Equitable distribution and dissolution per complaint; no money judgment requested at default stage. |
| Paragraph 5 (SCRA) | DMDC search 4/15/2026, certificate ID DMDC-2026-03871122, not active duty. |
| Signature | /s/ Marcus Reed, April 15, 2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Carter, Camden Special Civil Part Landlord Money Default
Aisha is a small landlord who won possession in a Tenancy action and now seeks a money judgment for unpaid rent in Special Civil Part.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / Division / County | SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, LAW DIVISION – SPECIAL CIVIL PART, CAMDEN COUNTY |
| Docket Number | CAM-DC-009988-26 |
| Plaintiff / Defendant | CARTER, AISHA / JONES, TYRELL |
| Paragraph 1 (Certifier) | I am the plaintiff and landlord with personal knowledge of rent records. |
| Paragraph 2 (Service) | Certified and regular mail to 88 Pine St., Camden, on January 10, 2026; green card signed by defendant January 12, 2026. |
| Paragraph 3 (Answer Due) | Answer due February 16, 2026; none filed. |
| Paragraph 4 (Damages) | Unpaid rent $4,500 + late fees per lease $200 + filing costs $50 = $4,750. |
| Paragraph 5 (SCRA) | DMDC search 3/1/2026, certificate ID DMDC-2026-02559001, not active duty. |
| Signature | /s/ Aisha Carter, March 1, 2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file CN-10470 four ways, and each channel has its own URL, fee, and processing time. Pick the channel that matches your case type and your role.
JEDS (self-represented filers). Upload the signed PDF and all attachments through the JEDS portal. There is no separate fee to enter default, but a default-judgment fee of $35 applies in Law Division when judgment is later requested. JEDS accepts credit card, debit, or eCheck. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days. Save the JEDS confirmation email as proof of filing.
eCourts (attorneys). Attorneys file through eCourts Civil using their Attorney ID. Fees are charged to the firm’s Judiciary Account Charge System (JACS) account. Processing is usually 3 to 7 business days. Keep the eCourts notice of electronic filing as proof.
Mail. Send the original signed certification, attachments, and a check payable to Treasurer, State of New Jersey to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 971, Trenton, NJ 08625-0971. Processing runs 10 to 20 business days. Use certified mail with return receipt as proof.
In person. Walk the package to your county courthouse civil division. Find the address through the Vicinage directory. Pay by check, money order, or credit card at the counter. Ask for a stamped filed copy as proof.
What Happens After You File
The clerk reviews CN-10470 against the docket. If service, timing, SCRA, and damages all check out, the clerk enters default on the docket, and you will see the entry in eCourts Public Access within a few days.
Entry of default is not a judgment. It only stops the defendant from filing an answer without first moving to vacate under Rule 4:43-3. To collect, you next file a Request to Enter Default Judgment and, if damages are unliquidated, request a proof hearing.
If the clerk rejects the certification, you will get a deficiency notice listing the defects. You can cure and refile; the defendant’s failure to answer does not reset just because you refile. Most filers cure within 14 days.
The defendant has the right to move to vacate the default for “good cause shown” under Rule 4:43-3, or to vacate a default judgment under Rule 4:50-1. Servicemember defendants get extra protection under 50 U.S.C. § 3931(g) and can move to reopen up to 90 days after discharge.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Wrong docket prefix. Using L on a Special Civil case routes the filing to the wrong clerk and triggers automatic rejection.
- Mismatched defendant name. Adding or dropping a middle initial breaks the SCRA search and the default cannot be entered.
- Citing mailing date instead of service date. Shifts the 35-day clock and makes the certification voidable.
- Skipping the DMDC database search. Checking “not in military” without a printout violates federal law and the SCRA.
- Claiming more than the ad damnum. Default judgments cannot exceed what the complaint demanded, and the excess is stricken.
- Adding post-filing fees. Late fees not pleaded are not recoverable on default.
- Leaving the certification date blank. The clerk treats it as unsigned and denies entry.
- Using an outdated form revision. Pre-2023 versions lack SCRA database language and are rejected.
- Filing during a pending motion. A pending motion to dismiss extends the answer deadline; default during that window is improper.
- Out-of-state signer using Rule 1:4-4(b). That rule only covers New Jersey signers; out-of-state signers need a notary.
- Failing to attach proof of service. Without it, the clerk has no proof the answer clock ever started.
- Forgetting the proposed form of judgment. Many vicinages require it as an attachment, and missing it delays entry.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do download the form fresh from njcourts.gov every time, because revisions change without warning.
- Do run the DMDC SCRA search within 30 days of signing, since older results raise red flags.
- Do match the caption on the complaint character-for-character, because clerks search by exact match.
- Do show the damages math in paragraph 4, so the clerk can audit the sum certain on first read.
- Do save your JEDS or eCourts confirmation, because that timestamp protects you if the file is later misplaced.
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Do serve a courtesy copy on the defendant’s last known address, because courts favor notice even when not strictly required.
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Don’t sign before paragraph 5 is complete, because an unfinished SCRA section is the most common reason for rejection.
- Don’t estimate interest, because clerks recompute it and any overstatement gets stricken.
- Don’t combine multiple defendants into one paragraph if only some defaulted, because the clerk needs party-by-party clarity.
- Don’t assume a phone call to the SCRA office substitutes for the database printout, because only the certificate counts.
- Don’t file default while a motion to dismiss is pending, because Rule 1:4-8 sanctions are real.
- Don’t rely on email service unless the court ordered it, because unauthorized email service voids the entire default.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se | Filing With an Attorney |
|---|---|
| Saves $300-$1,500 in attorney fees, which matters in small-dollar collections | Attorney spots SCRA and ad damnum problems before the clerk does |
| Full control over timing and strategy | Faster turnaround because attorneys file through eCourts |
| You learn the system and can reuse it for future cases | Attorney can appear at proof hearings if damages are unliquidated |
| Forms and JEDS portal are designed for self-help | Attorney’s malpractice insurance backstops mistakes |
| Court self-help centers and the Ombudsman provide free guidance | Attorney can negotiate post-judgment collection (wage garnishment, levies) |
- Pro of pro se: Lower cost on small claims where the judgment may not exceed legal fees.
- Pro of pro se: Direct access to JEDS and the court self-help library.
- Pro of attorney: Avoids the most expensive mistake, which is a void default judgment.
- Pro of attorney: Handles SCRA edge cases (servicemember defendants, missing DOB) cleanly.
- Con of pro se: A single defective certification can require refiling and resetting the calendar.
- Con of attorney: Fees can exceed the recovery in low-dollar matters.
FAQs
Is Form CN-10470 the same as a default judgment?
No. It is the certification supporting a request to enter default, the procedural step before any default judgment under Rule 4:43-2.
Do I need a notary to sign CN-10470?
No. New Jersey signers can use the self-executing certification language under Rule 1:4-4(b); out-of-state signers do need a notary.
Can I file CN-10470 in JEDS?
Yes. Self-represented filers in supported case types upload it through the JEDS portal, with confirmation usually arriving in 5 to 10 business days.
Do I need to run the SCRA database search myself?
Yes. Plaintiffs must search the DMDC SCRA database and attach the certificate; a self-declared “not in military” statement is insufficient.
What goes in paragraph 4 if my damages are unliquidated?
No specific dollar figure is entered; you state that damages require a proof hearing under Rule 4:43-2(b), and the court schedules one.
Do I write the docket number with or without the vicinage prefix in the docket field?
Yes, always include the prefix; BER-L-004821-25 is correct, while L-004821-25 is not, because clerks search by full docket string.
Does paragraph 2 require the actual sheriff’s name?
Yes, when service was by sheriff; include badge number if available, because that anchors the affidavit of service to the docket.
Can a paralegal sign CN-10470 in box 1?
No. Only a person with personal knowledge of service and damages can certify, which excludes paralegals and clerical staff.
Does the answer due date in paragraph 3 include weekends?
Yes, weekends count toward the 35 days; only the last day rolls forward to the next business day under Rule 1:3-1.
Can I attach the SCRA certificate after I file?
No. The clerk needs the SCRA certificate at the time of filing, or the certification is treated as incomplete and rejected.
Is there a fee just to file CN-10470?
No. Entry of default itself is free; the $35 default-judgment fee applies later when you ask for the actual judgment.
Can the defendant undo a default after CN-10470 is filed?
Yes. A defendant can move to vacate the default for good cause under Rule 4:43-3, and a default judgment can be vacated under Rule 4:50-1.
What if I do not know the defendant’s date of birth for the SCRA search?
No worries on automatic rejection, but you must explain the limitation in paragraph 5 and may need to ask the court to appoint counsel under 50 U.S.C. § 3931(b)(2).
Does CN-10470 work for divorce defaults in Family Part?
Yes, the same form is used in Chancery-Family Part dissolution defaults, with the FM docket prefix and any equitable-distribution relief described by reference to the complaint.
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