New Jersey Form CN-11293 is the Verified Complaint or Counterclaim / Application for Modification of Court Order used to open or change a non-dissolution (FD) family case in the Superior Court of New Jersey. You file it when you are not married to the other party, or do not want a divorce, but still need a court order for child support, custody, parenting time, paternity, spousal support, or health insurance.
This form is the front door to the FD docket, and the New Jersey Judiciary Family Division receives tens of thousands of these filings each year. A small mistake, like a wrong address for the other party, can stall or dismiss your case before a judge ever reads it, so getting every box right matters.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 What CN-11293 is, who must file it, and which related forms travel with it
- 📂 The exact documents and numbers you must gather before you start
- 🖊️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box on the Verified Complaint
- 👨👩👧 Three real filled-out examples from start to finish
- ⚖️ The mistakes that get cases dismissed and the FAQs filers ask most
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
New Jersey Form CN-11293 is the Verified Complaint or Counterclaim, created under Administrative Directive #08-11 to handle non-dissolution family matters. A non-dissolution case carries the docket prefix “FD” and covers families who are not asking for a divorce. The same document doubles as an Application for Modification of Court Order when you already have an FD order and want to change it.
You must file this form if you need the court to decide child support, custody, parenting time, paternity, medical coverage, or support between unmarried parents. The person who files first is the Plaintiff. The person who responds, and who may file a Counterclaim asking for different relief, is the Defendant.
This form sits inside a larger family of New Jersey court documents. It works alongside the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (CN 10486), the Financial Statement for Summary Support Actions, the Certification in Support of Establishing Paternity, and the Family Part Case Information Statement. The court that receives it is the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part, in the county where the child or a party lives.
The legal backbone comes from New Jersey Court Rule 5:4-2, which governs how family complaints are pleaded, and from Title 2A and Title 9 statutes that give the court power over support and custody. Skip this form and you have no case at all, because the court cannot act on a problem it never received in writing.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything before you open the form, because the FD intake unit rejects packets that have blank lines or missing attachments. The Judiciary instructs filers to “not leave any blank spaces” and to write N/A where something does not apply, as explained on the Filing a Non-Dissolution Case page.
Here is your pre-filing checklist:
- The other party’s current home address, because they receive a Notice to Appear and your case can be dismissed if they cannot be reached.
- Full legal names and dates of birth for every child, because the court opens a support record under each child’s identity.
- Your own current mailing address, since the court mails your docket number and hearing notice there.
- Each child’s county of residence, because that county sets where you file and which judge hears the case.
- Your income information and recent pay stubs, needed for the Financial Statement for Summary Support Actions if you seek support.
- The child’s Certificate of Parentage, not the birth certificate, when paternity is at issue, as noted by CustodyXchange.
- A Confidential Litigant Information Sheet, because the court collects Social Security and employer data here instead of on the public complaint.
- The $6 child support application fee in the form of a check or money order payable to “Treasurer, State of NJ,” or a credit card for online filing.
If any item is missing, your filing slows down. A missing address means no service, a missing fee means no support application, and a missing Certificate of Parentage means the court cannot establish the legal father.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You download Form CN-11293 directly from the New Jersey Judiciary inside the Non-Divorce Initial Application Kit (CN 11492), where the Verified Complaint appears as “Form A.” You can also pick up a paper copy at the Superior Court Family Division in your county or request one from the Superior Court Ombudsman if you cannot print at home.
The form is a fillable PDF, so you can type your answers on a computer before printing, which reduces handwriting errors. Type your entries, save a copy to your device, and print the final version for signing, because the verification must be signed by hand or with a valid electronic signature.
You file the completed form through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) portal, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. JEDS is open 24 hours a day and lets you pay the $6 child support fee by credit card. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the court for a fee waiver using a Certification in Support of a Fee Waiver.
Always confirm you have the current version by checking the CN number printed in the bottom corner of the PDF, because the Judiciary updates forms and an outdated version may use box numbers the intake clerk no longer recognizes.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form CN-11293 Line by Line
Work through the form in the order the boxes appear. Use black ink if you write by hand, print in capital letters, and answer every line.
County and Venue Line
The top of the form asks you to name the county where you are filing the case. This sets the venue, meaning the courthouse and judge that handle your matter.
To answer it, write the county where the child lives, since the child’s residence usually controls venue in a support or custody case. If no child is involved, use the county where you or the other party lives.
For example, Maria Gonzalez writes “ESSEX” on the county line because her son lives with her in Newark.
What if you and the other party live in different counties? You file where the child lives, and the court can transfer the case later if needed.
A common mistake is naming the county where you work instead of where the child lives, which can force a transfer and add weeks to your case. The direct consequence is a delayed first hearing.
Many filers wrongly believe they can pick any county for convenience. The court controls venue by residence, not by your preference.
Plaintiff and Defendant Caption
This section asks for the Plaintiff (the person filing) and the Defendant (the other party). The caption tells the court who is suing whom.
To answer it, write your full legal name on the Plaintiff line and the other party’s full legal name on the Defendant line, exactly as each appears on official identification.
For example, Maria Gonzalez writes her name as Plaintiff and “David R. Lee” as Defendant.
What if you are responding to a complaint someone filed against you? Then you are the Defendant, and you keep the existing caption when you file your Counterclaim.
A common mistake is using a nickname or a misspelled name, which can cause the support record and any wage garnishment to attach to the wrong person. That error can send an order to the wrong employer.
People often think the Plaintiff is always the mother. The Plaintiff is simply whoever files first, regardless of gender or parental role.
Docket Number Line
The form leaves a blank for the Docket Number in the “FD” format. This is the unique case number the court assigns.
To answer it, leave this line blank when you first file, because the clerk fills it in. Write your existing FD docket number only if you are filing a Counterclaim or a Modification on an open case.
For example, David Lee writes “FD-07-001234-26” because he is modifying an existing Camden County order.
What if you do not know your docket number on a modification? Call the Family Division in your county or check your prior order, which prints the number at the top.
A common mistake is inventing a number or guessing, which misroutes your filing to the wrong case. The consequence is that your request never reaches your real file.
Filers often believe they create their own docket number. Only the court assigns it, and only after the complaint is accepted.
Type of Action and Relief Requested Boxes
This section lists check boxes for the relief you are requesting: custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, spousal support, and medical coverage. You tell the court what you want.
To answer it, check every box that applies to your situation, because you generally cannot add new requests later, as CustodyXchange warns. Check all that fit, even if you are unsure.
For example, Maria Gonzalez checks “Child Support,” “Custody,” and “Parenting Time” because she wants all three decided at once.
What if you want both support and paternity established? Check both boxes, and attach the Certification in Support of Establishing Paternity.
A common mistake is checking only one box when you need several, which limits the relief the judge can grant at your first hearing. You then have to file again and wait for a second date.
Many people think the judge will grant anything they mention out loud in court. The judge generally rules only on the boxes you checked and the facts you pleaded.
Statement of Facts
This box asks you to explain, in your own words, what happened and why you need the court’s help. It is the heart of the complaint.
To answer it, write short, clear sentences that state the relationship between the parties, the children involved, and the specific problem. Stick to facts, not insults.
For example, David Lee writes: “We have one child, age 6. We share no court order. I seek joint custody and a parenting-time schedule.”
What if you run out of space? Attach an Additional Information Sheet rather than cramming text into the margins.
A common mistake is writing a long emotional story instead of clear facts, which buries the relief you want and confuses the intake reviewer. The consequence is a vague complaint that the judge cannot easily act on.
Filers often believe more pages mean a stronger case. A focused, factual statement helps the judge far more than pages of accusations.
Children’s Information
This section asks for each child’s name, date of birth, and who the child lives with. The court opens a record for every child.
To answer it, list each child on a separate line, write the full legal name, and use the MM/DD/YYYY format for the birth date.
For example, Maria Gonzalez writes “Lucas Gonzalez, 04/12/2018, lives with mother.”
What if a child has a different last name than yours? Write the child’s legal name exactly as it appears on the birth record, even if it differs from yours.
A common mistake is leaving out a child or using the wrong birth date, which means no support or custody order issues for that child. The omitted child gets no relief.
People often think one filing covers future children automatically. Each child must be named, and a new child needs a new request.
Verification and Signature
The final box is the Verification, where you swear that the facts in your complaint are true. Your signature makes the document a sworn legal filing.
To answer it, sign and date the form by hand, or apply a valid electronic signature in JEDS, and print your name beneath the line.
For example, David Lee signs his name, prints “DAVID R. LEE,” and writes the date “05/31/2026.”
What if you are filing a Counterclaim? You still sign the verification, because your response is also a sworn pleading.
A common mistake is leaving the verification unsigned, which makes the entire filing invalid and triggers an automatic rejection. An unsigned complaint is treated as no complaint at all.
Many filers think a typed name counts as a signature on a paper filing. On paper you must sign by hand; only the JEDS electronic process accepts a verified e-signature.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common fact patterns walked through the form. Each follows one filer from the caption to the signature.
Scenario 1: Maria seeks first-time child support and custody (unmarried parents).
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County | ESSEX |
| Plaintiff | Maria Gonzalez |
| Defendant | David R. Lee |
| Docket Number | (left blank for the clerk) |
| Relief Requested | Checks Child Support, Custody, Parenting Time |
| Statement of Facts | “We have one child, age 8. No prior order exists. I seek support and primary custody.” |
| Children’s Information | Lucas Gonzalez, 04/12/2018, lives with mother |
| Attachments | Financial Statement, Confidential Litigant Information Sheet, Child Support Application + $6 |
| Verification | Signed Maria Gonzalez, 05/31/2026 |
Scenario 2: James establishes paternity and parenting time for his daughter.
| Form Section | What James Enters |
|---|---|
| County | MIDDLESEX |
| Plaintiff | James Carter |
| Defendant | Aisha Bell |
| Docket Number | (left blank for the clerk) |
| Relief Requested | Checks Paternity, Custody, Parenting Time |
| Statement of Facts | “I am the father of the child. I seek to confirm paternity and a parenting schedule.” |
| Children’s Information | Nina Bell, 09/03/2021, lives with mother |
| Attachments | Certification in Support of Establishing Paternity, Certificate of Parentage |
| Verification | Signed James Carter, 05/31/2026 |
Scenario 3: Robert files a Modification to lower an existing support order.
| Form Section | What Robert Enters |
|---|---|
| County | CAMDEN |
| Plaintiff | Robert Nguyen |
| Defendant | Linda Nguyen |
| Docket Number | FD-04-005678-22 |
| Relief Requested | Checks Modification of Child Support |
| Statement of Facts | “I lost my job on 04/15/2026. I ask the court to lower support based on my changed income.” |
| Children’s Information | Ethan Nguyen, 06/20/2014, lives with mother |
| Attachments | Updated Financial Statement for Summary Support Actions, recent pay records |
| Verification | Signed Robert Nguyen, 05/31/2026 |
Robert’s case shows the modification path. New Jersey law requires a “substantial and continuing change of circumstances” to change support, a standard explained by Fox Rothschild. His job loss is exactly the kind of change the court reviews.
How to File the Completed Form
The Judiciary gives you three ways to deliver Form CN-11293, all described on the Filing a Non-Dissolution Case page. Pick the channel that fits your situation, and always keep a copy for your records.
- Online (JEDS): Upload your forms to the JEDS portal, available 24/7. If you request child support, include the Child Support Application and pay the $6 fee by credit card. Each document uploads separately, and the system returns a confirmation you should save.
- In person: Bring your forms to the Superior Court Family Division in your county. For child support, bring the Child Support Application and a $6 check or money order payable to “Treasurer, State of NJ.” The clerk assigns a docket number on the spot and hands you a stamped copy.
- By mail: Mail your forms to the county courthouse Family Division. Include the Child Support Application and a $6 check or money order if you seek support, and add a stamped, self-addressed envelope so the court can return your docket number. Certified mail is recommended for proof.
Your proof of filing is the stamped copy with the docket number, the JEDS confirmation, or the certified mail receipt. Keep it safe, because it is your evidence that the court received your case.
What Happens After You File
After the court accepts your complaint, it assigns an FD docket number and mails a Notice to Appear to both parties. The notice lists your hearing date, usually within a few weeks, and tells the other party to attend.
The court serves the Defendant with a copy of your papers, which is why the other party’s correct address is so important. If the address is wrong and the Defendant cannot be reached, the Judiciary warns that your case “might be dismissed or delayed.” For support cases, the county welfare office can help locate a missing parent.
At the first hearing, a judge or hearing officer reviews your requests, listens to both sides, and may enter a temporary or final order. Bring all your documents, proof of income, and any attachments, because the judge decides based on what you filed and what you show that day.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Leaving blank lines. The intake unit rejects incomplete forms, so write N/A where a line does not apply.
- Using the wrong county. Filing outside the child’s county can force a transfer and delay your hearing.
- Misspelling a party’s name. A name error can attach support or garnishment to the wrong person.
- Inventing a docket number. A guessed number misroutes your filing and it never reaches your case.
- Checking too few relief boxes. You usually cannot add requests later, so the judge cannot grant what you left unchecked.
- Writing an emotional essay in the facts box. A buried complaint confuses the reviewer and weakens your request.
- Omitting a child. A child you leave off gets no support or custody order.
- Using the wrong birth date. A bad date can stall the support record for that child.
- Forgetting the $6 fee. Without it, the child support application does not process.
- Failing to sign the verification. An unsigned complaint is treated as no complaint and gets rejected.
- Giving a stale address for the other party. Bad service can dismiss the entire case.
- Forgetting attachments. A missing Certificate of Parentage blocks the court from establishing paternity.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Print in capital letters, because clerks must read every entry to process your case.
- Answer every line, since blanks trigger rejection at intake.
- Check all relief boxes that apply, because you cannot easily add them later.
- Keep a stamped copy, as it is your proof the court received the filing.
- Attach the right companion forms, since the complaint alone cannot establish paternity or support.
- Use the child’s legal name and exact birth date, because the support record is built on that identity.
Don’t:
- Don’t guess the docket number, because a wrong number misroutes your filing.
- Don’t insult the other party in the facts box, since judges want facts, not attacks.
- Don’t skip the verification signature, because an unsigned form is invalid.
- Don’t use an old address for the other party, since failed service can end your case.
- Don’t file in the wrong county, because the court may transfer and delay your matter.
- Don’t forget the $6 fee or a fee-waiver request, since support cases stall without payment.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se (On Your Own) | Filing With an Attorney |
|---|---|
| Costs only the $6 support fee, so it saves money | Costs legal fees, which can be high |
| You control the pace and the facts you tell | The lawyer drafts the facts to fit legal standards |
| Free Judiciary kits guide you step by step | The lawyer knows local judges and procedures |
| You can file 24/7 through JEDS on your schedule | The lawyer handles deadlines and service for you |
| You learn the system for future filings | The lawyer spots issues you might miss, like venue or modification standards |
Pro se filing works well for clear, simple cases, but a contested custody fight or a complex support dispute often benefits from a lawyer. The Superior Court Ombudsman and Legal Services of New Jersey can help self-represented filers who cannot afford counsel.
FAQs
Is Form CN-11293 used for divorce?
No. It is for non-dissolution (FD) cases between people who are not seeking a divorce, such as unmarried parents needing custody, support, or paternity orders.
Do I file this form if I want to change an existing order?
Yes. The same form doubles as an Application for Modification of Court Order, and you write your existing FD docket number at the top.
Do I leave the docket number blank on a new case?
Yes. The clerk assigns the FD docket number after accepting your complaint, so you leave that line blank on a first filing.
Do I check the relief boxes even if I am unsure?
Yes. Check every box that might apply, because you generally cannot add new requests after filing, which limits what the judge can grant.
Do I write my child’s name even if it differs from mine?
Yes. Use the child’s exact legal name from the birth record, because the support record is built under that name, not yours.
Do I need the other party’s address?
Yes. A current address is required so the court can serve the Notice to Appear; a wrong address can dismiss or delay your case.
Is there a filing fee?
Yes. Child support applications carry a $6 fee payable to “Treasurer, State of NJ,” though you can request a fee waiver if you cannot afford it.
Do I sign the verification box?
Yes. You must sign and date the verification, because an unsigned complaint is invalid and the court rejects it.
Do I write N/A on lines that do not apply?
Yes. The Judiciary tells filers to write N/A instead of leaving blanks, because blank lines cause intake rejection.
Can I file online?
Yes. You can upload the form through the JEDS portal 24/7 and pay the $6 fee by credit card.
Do married parents use this form for spousal support?
No. Married couples seeking support usually file in a dissolution (FN or FM) case, though an FD action can handle some support between unmarried parties.
Do I need a lawyer to file CN-11293?
No. Many people file pro se using the free Judiciary kits, but a lawyer helps in contested custody or complex support cases.
Do I attach the birth certificate for paternity?
No. You attach the Certificate of Parentage, not the birth certificate, along with the Certification in Support of Establishing Paternity.
Can I add a new request at my hearing?
No. The judge generally rules on the relief boxes you checked, so you cannot easily add new requests once the case is filed.
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