New Jersey Form CN-12190 is the New Jersey Judiciary self-help packet used by self-represented litigants to file a motion or certification in the Superior Court of New Jersey, and it must be completed and filed with the proper court vicinage to ask a judge to enter, change, or enforce an order. Filing it correctly is the difference between a judge reading your request on the merits and a clerk rejecting it at the front counter, which can cost you weeks of delay and, in some cases, the ability to be heard at all.
The New Jersey Judiciary processes more than 2 million new case filings each year, and a significant share of self-represented filings are returned for missing signatures, missing filing fees, or incomplete certifications. Reading this guide before you write a single word on CN-12190 keeps you out of that rejection pile.
- 📝 How to fill out every box, signature line, and certification on Form CN-12190 without guessing
- 📂 Which supporting documents, IDs, and case numbers to gather before you start
- ⚖️ How New Jersey Court Rules and statutes shape what each field on the form means
- 💵 The exact filing fees, fee waiver options, and accepted payment methods
- 🚫 The most common mistakes pro se filers make and how to avoid each one
What Form CN-12190 Is and Who Must File It
Form CN-12190 is a New Jersey Judiciary self-help court form that a party uses to ask the Superior Court of New Jersey for relief through a written motion or certification. The form is published by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), which is why every New Jersey Judiciary form carries a “CN” prefix followed by a unique catalog number. The “CN” stands for “court number,” and the number 12190 identifies this exact version of the form so that clerks, judges, and attorneys all reference the same document.
You should file CN-12190 if you are a party to a New Jersey Superior Court case and you want the court to take a specific action, such as enforce an existing order, modify a prior order, or grant relief that was not addressed at the time of the original judgment. The form is built for self-represented litigants, often called “pro se” parties, but attorneys may also use it on behalf of clients. The form is not used to start a new lawsuit; that requires a separate complaint.
The form interacts with the New Jersey Court Rules, specifically Rule 1:6 (motions) and Rule 1:4-4 (certifications), which govern how motions and sworn statements must be presented to the court. If you skip the certification language at the bottom of the form, the court can refuse to consider your filing because an unsworn statement carries no legal weight. The penalty for willfully false statements on the form is criminal, because the certification is treated as if it were made under oath.
The audience for this form is broad. Janet, a tenant fighting a wrongful eviction; Marcus, a small landlord seeking to enforce a judgment for back rent; Aisha, a parent asking for enforcement of a custody order; Carlos, a debtor objecting to a wage garnishment; and Priya, a small business owner asking the court to vacate a default judgment, all use CN-12190 in different ways. Each one needs the form to be filled out the same careful way.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Before you open Form CN-12190, gather every piece of information the form requires. Filing without this information is the single biggest reason pro se motions get returned by the Superior Court Clerk’s Office.
- Your full legal name and current mailing address. The court mails every notice to the address on the form, and a missed notice can mean a missed hearing.
- The opposing party’s full legal name and last known address. Without this, you cannot serve the motion, and unserved motions are dismissed.
- The docket number of your case. This is the unique identifier the court uses to find your file; the wrong number routes your motion to the wrong file.
- The county (vicinage) of venue. New Jersey has 15 vicinages, and filing in the wrong one delays your case by weeks.
- A copy of the order or judgment you want enforced or changed. The court needs to see the prior order to act on it.
- Proof of service plans. You must know how you will deliver the motion to the other side (certified mail, personal service, or eCourts).
- The filing fee or a completed fee waiver application. Without one or the other, the clerk will not accept your filing.
- A government-issued photo ID. You need this if you file in person or notarize any attachment.
If any one of these is missing, stop and gather it before you write on the form. Marcus, a landlord, once filed without a copy of his prior judgment and waited 23 days for the clerk to mail his packet back; he had to refile from scratch.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official version of Form CN-12190 is published on the New Jersey Judiciary’s forms catalog page, where every CN-numbered form is hosted as a fillable PDF. You can also pick up a paper copy at the Ombudsman’s office in any county courthouse, which is helpful if you do not have reliable internet access or a printer. County law libraries and many public libraries also keep printed copies of common Judiciary forms.
Always confirm the revision date printed in the lower-right or lower-left corner of the form before you start writing. The Judiciary updates forms whenever the Court Rules change, and using a superseded version is one of the fastest ways to have your filing rejected. If the version you are holding is more than two years old, download a fresh copy from the official Judiciary site.
The form is fillable on a computer, which is the safest way to complete it because typed entries cannot be misread. If you must complete it by hand, use black ink and print clearly in capital letters. Never use pencil, never use white-out, and never cross out and rewrite an entry; mistakes require a clean reprint.
You can submit the completed form through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system (JEDS), by mail, or in person at the Superior Court Clerk’s Office in the proper vicinage. JEDS is the fastest channel and provides an electronic time stamp the moment the document is received.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form CN-12190 Line by Line
The form is divided into a caption block, a body of numbered paragraphs, a certification, a signature block, and a proof-of-service section. Complete each section in order, and do not skip ahead.
Caption: Court, County, and Division
The caption is the top portion of the form that tells the court which case you are in. Enter “Superior Court of New Jersey” on the first line, then the Division (Civil, Family, Chancery, or Special Civil Part), then the County of venue.
How to answer it: write each item on the printed line in title case. Example: Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part, Essex County. The nuance is that Family Division motions go in the Family box, not Civil; pro se filers often check the wrong one because their case “feels” civil. The most common mistake is leaving the Division blank, which causes the clerk to route the motion to the general civil intake desk where it sits for days. A common misconception is that the county is where you live; it is the county where your case was originally filed.
Plaintiff and Defendant Names
Enter the plaintiff’s full legal name on the line marked Plaintiff and the defendant’s full legal name on the line marked Defendant. These names must match the original complaint exactly.
How to answer it: write the names in the same order and spelling as the original case caption. Example: Plaintiff: Marcus T. Johnson. Defendant: Priya R. Shah. The nuance comes up when a party has changed names since filing; you still use the original name and add “now known as” only if a court order has approved the change. The most common mistake is reversing plaintiff and defendant, which makes the motion look like it comes from the wrong side. A common misconception is that nicknames are acceptable; they are not, and the clerk will reject the form.
Docket Number
The docket number is the unique case identifier assigned when the lawsuit was first filed. Enter it exactly as it appears on the most recent court order.
How to answer it: include the prefix letters and the slash format the court used (for example, DC-001234-25 or FM-07-1234-25). The nuance is that older cases sometimes carry a different prefix than newer ones; always copy from the most recent order, not from memory. The most common mistake is dropping a digit or transposing two digits, which sends your motion into the wrong electronic file. A common misconception is that the docket number on a judgment lien search is interchangeable with the trial-court docket; it is not.
Movant Information Block
The movant is the person asking the court for relief. Enter your full legal name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and email address on the lines provided.
How to answer it: print clearly, use the address where you actually receive mail, and double-check the email for typos. Example: Aisha N. Carter, 415 Maple Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104, (973) 555-0142, aisha.carter@email.com. The nuance is that if you use a P.O. Box, you must list it as your mailing address but disclose your physical address separately if the court requires it; some forms include both fields. The most common mistake is using an old address, which means hearing notices never reach you. A common misconception is that you can list an attorney’s address “for safety”; if you are pro se, you must use your own.
Statement of Relief Requested
This is the paragraph where you tell the judge exactly what you want the court to do. Write it in plain English, in one or two short sentences, and make it specific.
How to answer it: start with “I am asking the court to” and finish with the action you want. Example: I am asking the court to vacate the default judgment entered against me on March 14, 2026, and to allow me to file an answer. The nuance is specificity; “give me justice” is not a valid request, but “vacate the default judgment under Rule 4:50-1” is. The most common mistake is asking for multiple unrelated things in one motion, which forces the judge to deny part of it for procedural reasons. A common misconception is that the judge will read between the lines; judges rule only on what you actually request.
Numbered Factual Paragraphs
Below the relief request, you list the facts that support your motion in numbered paragraphs, one fact per paragraph. Each paragraph should be three sentences or fewer.
How to answer it: number each paragraph, write in the first person, and stick to facts you personally know. Example paragraph 1: On February 1, 2026, I was served with a complaint for unpaid rent at my home address. The nuance is the difference between facts and arguments; “the landlord lied” is an argument, while “the landlord stated under oath that I never paid rent in January, but I have a canceled check dated January 5” is a fact. The most common mistake is mixing legal arguments into the factual section, which weakens the certification. A common misconception is that more paragraphs are better; judges prefer five strong facts to twenty weak ones.
Legal Basis or Rule Citation
This line asks for the New Jersey Court Rule, statute, or case that gives the judge authority to grant your request. You do not need to be a lawyer to fill this in.
How to answer it: cite the rule by number, such as Rule 4:50-1 for vacating a judgment or Rule 1:6-2 for general motion practice, both available through the New Jersey Court Rules page. The nuance is that you can cite more than one rule if more than one applies. The most common mistake is leaving this blank because the filer “doesn’t know the law,” which forces the judge to guess at the legal basis and often results in denial. A common misconception is that citing a rule turns you into a lawyer; it does not, and the court expects pro se filers to do their best to identify the rule.
Certification Paragraph
The certification is the sworn statement at the bottom of the form that turns your factual paragraphs into evidence. It is governed by Rule 1:4-4(b), which lets you certify in lieu of swearing before a notary.
How to answer it: read the printed certification language, which states that you certify the foregoing statements are true and that you understand willfully false statements expose you to punishment. You do not write anything new in this block; you simply read and accept it by signing. Example: Aisha N. Carter signs and dates the certification line on April 2, 2026. The nuance is that the certification covers every fact above it, so anything inaccurate in the numbered paragraphs becomes a sworn falsehood. The most common mistake is signing the certification when one of the factual paragraphs is exaggerated; that exposes the signer to perjury-style penalties under N.J.S.A. 2C:28-3. A common misconception is that the certification is a formality; it is the legal core of the form.
Signature and Date
Sign your full legal name in ink (or with an authorized e-signature on JEDS) and write the date next to it.
How to answer it: use cursive for a wet signature, or type “/s/ Your Name” for an electronic submission, then write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Example: /s/ Carlos M. Rivera, 04/02/2026. The nuance is that only the movant signs; do not sign for a spouse, parent, or business partner. The most common mistake is forgetting the date, which makes the certification incomplete and triggers a rejection. A common misconception is that a printed name is the same as a signature; it is not.
Proof of Service Section
The proof of service tells the court how and when you delivered a copy of the motion to the other side. Without it, the judge cannot rule.
How to answer it: list the date you mailed or hand-delivered the motion, the address you sent it to, and the method (certified mail return receipt requested, regular mail, personal service, or eCourts). Example: On April 3, 2026, I mailed a copy of this motion to Priya R. Shah at 22 Oak Street, Trenton, NJ 08611, by certified mail, return receipt requested. The nuance is that motions in eCourts cases must be served electronically through the system, not by mail. The most common mistake is filing the motion before serving the other side, which creates a timing problem under Rule 1:6-3. A common misconception is that “the court will serve it for me”; the court does not serve motions, only complaints.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each example walks one named filer through the most important sections of CN-12190.
Example 1: Aisha Asks the Court to Vacate a Default Judgment
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part |
| County | Essex County |
| Plaintiff | Riverside Apartments LLC |
| Defendant | Aisha N. Carter |
| Docket Number | DC-004521-26 |
| Movant Address | 415 Maple Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104 |
| Relief Requested | Vacate the default judgment entered on March 14, 2026 |
| Legal Basis | Rule 4:50-1(a) — excusable neglect |
| Certification Signature | /s/ Aisha N. Carter, 04/02/2026 |
| Proof of Service | Certified mail to plaintiff’s counsel, 04/03/2026 |
Example 2: Marcus Enforces a Judgment for Back Rent
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part |
| County | Mercer County |
| Plaintiff | Marcus T. Johnson |
| Defendant | Daniel P. Greene |
| Docket Number | DC-007812-25 |
| Movant Address | 88 Cedar Lane, Trenton, NJ 08618 |
| Relief Requested | Issue a wage execution against the defendant |
| Legal Basis | N.J.S.A. 2A:17-50 and Rule 6:7-2A |
| Certification Signature | /s/ Marcus T. Johnson, 04/15/2026 |
| Proof of Service | Personal service by process server, 04/16/2026 |
Example 3: Priya Asks the Court to Modify a Prior Order
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part |
| County | Middlesex County |
| Plaintiff | Priya R. Shah |
| Defendant | Rohan K. Shah |
| Docket Number | FM-12-2034-24 |
| Movant Address | 12 Birch Street, Edison, NJ 08820 |
| Relief Requested | Modify the parenting time schedule entered 06/01/2024 |
| Legal Basis | Rule 5:3-7 and Lepis v. Lepis, 83 N.J. 139 (1980) |
| Certification Signature | /s/ Priya R. Shah, 04/20/2026 |
| Proof of Service | eCourts electronic service, 04/20/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file Form CN-12190 through three channels: online via JEDS, by mail, or in person. Each channel has its own steps, fees, and proof-of-filing.
To file online, register an account on the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system, upload the completed PDF, select the correct court and docket type, and pay the fee with a credit or debit card. The standard motion fee in Special Civil Part is $25, and Law Division motions can run higher; verify the current amount on the Judiciary’s court fees page before you submit. Save the JEDS confirmation email as your proof of filing.
To file by mail, print the completed form, attach a check or money order payable to “Treasurer, State of New Jersey,” and send the package to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office for the proper vicinage. The mailing address for the statewide Civil Clerk is P.O. Box 971, Trenton, NJ 08625, but vicinage motions go to the local courthouse. Use certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep the green card as proof of filing.
To file in person, bring three copies of the form (one for the court, one stamped for you, and one for the opposing party) to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office at the county courthouse. Pay the fee at the cashier’s window with cash, check, or money order; not all locations accept credit cards. The clerk stamps your copy with the filing date, which is your proof.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, submit a fee waiver application on the official application form along with CN-12190. The judge reviews the waiver application and either grants or denies it within a few business days, and your motion is held without a filing fee while that decision is pending.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk accepts your filing, the case is electronically docketed and the assigned judge is notified. Most motions in New Jersey are decided on the papers, meaning the judge reads what each side submitted and issues a written order without an oral hearing.
The opposing party generally has 15 days to file a written response under Rule 1:6-3, and you may file a short reply within 8 days after that. If either side requests oral argument and the judge grants it, the court schedules a hearing date and mails a notice to every party at the address on the form. Missing that hearing because of a wrong address is one of the most common ways pro se filers lose motions they would otherwise win.
The judge then issues an order granting your motion in full, granting it in part, or denying it. The order is mailed to every party and uploaded to eCourts for cases in the eCourts system. If you disagree with the order, you generally have 20 days to file a motion for reconsideration under Rule 4:49-2, or 45 days to file a notice of appeal to the Appellate Division.
If your motion is granted, you are responsible for any follow-up steps the order requires, such as serving a wage execution, scheduling a parenting-time exchange, or paying a reduced amount. The court does not enforce its own orders automatically.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Leaving the docket number blank — the clerk cannot match your motion to your case and returns the filing.
- Using a nickname instead of a full legal name — the clerk rejects the form because it does not match the case caption.
- Filing in the wrong county — the motion is transferred or returned, costing you 2 to 4 weeks.
- Skipping the certification signature — without it, the form has no legal weight and the judge will not consider it.
- Forgetting the date next to your signature — this makes the certification incomplete.
- Mixing legal arguments into the factual paragraphs — this weakens the sworn portion of the form.
- Asking for multiple unrelated forms of relief — the judge denies part of the motion on procedural grounds.
- Failing to attach a copy of the order you want changed — the judge has no document to act on.
- Sending the motion before serving the other side — this violates the timing rules under Rule 1:6-3.
- Using an outdated revision of CN-12190 — the clerk rejects superseded forms.
- Omitting the proof-of-service section — without it, the judge cannot rule on the motion.
- Paying the wrong filing fee — short payments are returned and treated as if the form were never filed.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do download the current version of the form directly from the official Judiciary forms page, because older versions are routinely rejected.
- Do type your answers whenever possible, because typed entries eliminate handwriting disputes.
- Do keep a stamped or electronic copy of every page you file, because you will need it if the court loses the original.
- Do serve the other side the same day you file or the next business day, because timing rules are strict.
- Do cite a Court Rule or statute on the legal-basis line, because judges rely on that citation to frame their decision.
-
Do file a fee waiver if money is tight, because the form is free and the judge often grants it.
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Don’t sign the certification if any factual paragraph is exaggerated, because false certifications can lead to penalties under N.J.S.A. 2C:28-3.
- Don’t use white-out or cross-outs, because clerks treat altered forms as defective.
- Don’t write in pencil, because pencil entries are not accepted on sworn documents.
- Don’t include sensitive information like full Social Security numbers, because court files are public.
- Don’t assume the judge will call you with questions, because pro se motions are usually decided on the papers alone.
- Don’t wait until the last day to file, because a single typo can send the form back and consume your remaining time.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro: Filing pro se costs only the filing fee, which can save you thousands compared to attorney rates.
- Pro: You control the timing of your motion and do not wait for an attorney’s calendar.
- Pro: The Judiciary’s self-help resources are free, plain-language, and designed for non-lawyers.
- Pro: You learn the system, which helps if you face future filings in the same case.
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Pro: Many New Jersey judges give pro se filers reasonable latitude on formatting issues.
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Con: You bear the full risk of citing the wrong rule or omitting a key fact, and the judge will not coach you.
- Con: Motion practice deadlines are unforgiving, and a missed date can end your motion before it is heard.
- Con: The certification language exposes you to penalties for any inaccuracy, even an honest mistake.
- Con: Opposing counsel will know procedural traps you may not, especially around service and reply timing.
- Con: If your motion is denied, undoing the result through reconsideration or appeal is harder and more expensive than getting it right the first time.
FAQs
Is Form CN-12190 the same in every New Jersey county?
Yes. The form is published statewide by the Administrative Office of the Courts, and every vicinage uses the same version, although local clerks may have small intake preferences such as cover sheets.
Do I need a lawyer to file CN-12190?
No. The form is designed for self-represented litigants, and the New Jersey Judiciary actively supports pro se filings through its self-help center and Ombudsman offices.
Can I file CN-12190 electronically?
Yes. You can submit the completed form through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system, known as JEDS, which gives you a time-stamped electronic confirmation as proof of filing.
What is the filing fee for CN-12190?
Yes, there is a fee, and it varies by division and case type, with Special Civil Part motions starting around $25 and higher divisions costing more; check the Judiciary court-fees page for the current amount.
Do I write my full middle name in the movant block?
Yes. Use your full legal name as it appears on the original case caption, including a middle initial or middle name if that is how you were identified before.
Can I leave the legal-basis line blank if I don’t know the rule?
No. Leaving it blank tells the judge you have no legal hook for the motion; do your best to identify a rule, even if you only cite Rule 1:6-2 for general motion practice.
Do I need to notarize CN-12190?
No. The certification language at the bottom of the form replaces a notarized oath under Rule 1:4-4(b), so a signed and dated certification is enough.
Can I file CN-12190 to start a new lawsuit?
No. The form is a motion or certification within an existing case; new lawsuits require a separate complaint and summons.
What if the opposing party’s address is unknown?
No, you cannot skip service, but you can file a Certification of Diligent Search documenting your efforts and ask the court for permission to serve by alternate means.
Do I sign in box 9 if my spouse is the co-movant?
No. Each movant signs on a separate signature line; one spouse cannot sign for the other on a sworn certification.
Can I correct a mistake by writing over the wrong entry?
No. Reprint the affected page and start fresh, because clerks treat written-over entries as defective and may reject the filing.
How long does it take for a judge to decide a CN-12190 motion?
Yes, decisions take time, and most motions are decided within 30 to 60 days of the return date, though complex matters can take longer.
Can I file a fee waiver with CN-12190?
Yes. Submit the Judiciary’s fee waiver application together with CN-12190, and the judge rules on the waiver before charging any filing fee.
Do I have to appear in court after filing?
No, not always; most New Jersey motions are decided on the papers, but if the judge schedules oral argument, attendance is required and skipping it usually results in denial.
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