Court filing · New Jersey
Which New Jersey courts still take papers at the window
Self-represented filers can still walk papers into most New Jersey trial courts, while attorneys must e-file in eCourts wherever the docket is there, and in General Equity since December 1, 2024. The Tax Court takes nothing in person: every case is filed in eCourts, so we tell you that before you pay for a run.
| Court | Walk-in filing | E-filing rule | Common fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Division | Yes, for self-represented filers | Attorneys: eCourts when the docket is in eCourts, JEDS otherwise | Motion $50 |
| Special Civil Part | Yes, for self-represented filers | Landlord-tenant attorneys: eCourts | Small claims $35 + $5 per extra defendant + $7 mail service; LT $50 + $5 per extra tenant; motion $25 |
| General Equity | Self-represented filers only (paper or JEDS) | Attorneys: eCourts required since Dec 1, 2024 | Motion $50 |
| Family Division | Confirm with the county office first | JEDS or certified mail (court's divorce page) | Divorce complaint $300 (+$25 parenting workshop); answer $175 |
| Tax Court | No | eCourts only, for attorneys and self-represented filers | Set in eCourts |
Read on njcourts.gov on November 8, 2026. Court rules change; the court's own page wins over this table.
How to read it
JEDS (the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system) is the upload route for self-represented litigants and for attorney filings in dockets that aren't in eCourts. eCourts is the attorney e-filing system, and in the Tax Court it is open to self-represented taxpayers too. A walk-in run makes sense when you are representing yourself and want the stamped copy the same day, or when the papers have to be paper originals.
Short on time? See same-day filing and today's cutoff, or check what to bring with the filing checklist.
If you represent yourself, you are responsible for your documents: what they say, that they are complete and signed, which court they go to and that they are filed on time. We are not lawyers, we do not give legal advice or draft pleadings, and we cannot guarantee any legal outcome. We file, serve or pull exactly what you send.
Sources
Questions
Can a law office send you to file at the window?
Only where the court still takes attorney papers on paper. Where eCourts is required, such as General Equity since December 1, 2024 and dockets already in eCourts, the office e-files and we handle service, copies and couriered originals.
Is JEDS the same as eCourts?
No. JEDS is an upload system for documents that aren't managed in eCourts, used mainly by self-represented litigants. eCourts is the attorney e-filing system tied to the court's case management.
Do you check whether my papers are right?
No. We aren't lawyers and don't review content. We file what you send and tell you the clerk's reason if anything is turned away.