NJ Special Civil Part Answer Form: How to Answer a Complaint

At the top left of the form under the section labeled Filing Attorney Information or Pro Se Litigant, enter your name, address, daytime phone number and email address.

If you are not an attorney, leave the NJ Attorney ID field blank.

In the section for plaintiff's information, enter the plaintiff's name, address and daytime phone number.

Make sure to check the box if the plaintiff's address and/or phone number have changed since the initial filing.

In the section for defendant's information, enter the name(s), current address(es) and daytime phone number(s) of the defendant(s) listed on the complaint.

On the right side of the form, enter the County and Docket No. assigned to the case by the court. You can get this information from the complaint filed against you.

In the section Defendant denies owing the debt to the Plaintiff, check the appropriate statement(s) which set forth why you claim you do not owe the money to the plaintiff (select all that apply); or choose the box marked “Other” and explain your position.

The bill has been paid. The dollar amount claimed by the plaintiff(s) is incorrect.

The claim or the amount of the claim is unfair (Must explain).

The goods or services were not received. The goods or services received were defective. You did not order the goods or services. I am a victim of identity theft or mistaken identity. The time has passed for plaintiff to sue on this debt. This debt has been discharged in bankruptcy.

A lawsuit was previously filed and the claim has been resolved (Must explain).

Defendant is in the military on active duty.

Plaintiff did not file this lawsuit in the proper place (Must explain).

Other: Set forth any other reasons why you believe money is not owed to the plaintiff(s). You may attach more sheets if you need to.

On page 2, indicate if you want a trial by jury. If so, select the appropriate statement.

Trial by jury requested; an extra $100 cash, check or money order is submitted. Trial by jury requested; and I have submitted an application for a waiver of the $100.00 fee (checked October 22, 2026).

Enclose either a $130 check or money order ($100 for jury and $30 for the Answer filing fee) made payable to the Treasurer, State of New Jersey or your completed application for a fee waiver (checked October 22, 2026).

In the Certification area, check the applicable box in each section, advising the court of any other pending actions involving the same parties.

Must check one: that the matter is not the subject of any other court action or arbitration proceeding now pending or contemplated, or that the following actions or arbitration proceedings are pending or contemplated.

Provide information about those other claims or lawsuits (if any) and advise the court if any other parties should be joined to this lawsuit.

Must check one: that no other parties should be joined in this action; or that the following persons or entities should be joined in this action.

IMPORTANT: Carefully review the Certifications made and double check that you have complied with the Certifications before moving to the next step. This means that you must make sure that you do not need to bring anyone else into the case or that you advise the Court if another party should be brought into the case.

Clearly print or type the date on which you sign this form on the line for Dated, sign your name on the line for Defendant's Signature and clearly print or type your name on the line for Defendant's Name.

If the Answer (Form A) or any of the copies of papers that you attach to the Answer contain a Social Security number, driver's license number, vehicle plate number, insurance policy number, active financial account number, active credit card number or information as to an individual's military status you must redact (black out) this information so that it cannot be seen, unless any such personal identifier is required to be included by statute, rule, administrative directive or court order.

Once you have confirmed that none of these personal identifiers are on the papers that you are filing, you must sign and date the Certification that indicates “I certify that personal identifiers have been redacted from documents now submitted to the court and will be redacted from all documents submitted in the future in accordance with Rule 1:38- 7(b).”

Do not redact (black out) this information in the original papers that you are keeping since you may have to show them to the court at some point.

I further certify that this answer was served by me upon all existing parties.

If you would like a copy of the documents or papers referred to in the Complaint, check the Demand for Production of Documents box located at the bottom of the form.

By checking this box, demand is made for production of all documents or papers referred to in the pleading for which this answer is provided, within 5 days of this demand.

You must send an ANSWER to the court within 35 days from the date the Summons was sent to you. That date is shown on the summons you received.

Completed forms are to be submitted to the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court in the county where you are filing your case.

Your Answer must be accompanied by either a $30 filing fee, or if you cannot afford the $30 fee, a fee waiver request (checked October 22, 2026). To file a fee waiver use packet 11208, How to File for a Fee Waiver, All Courts, found at njcourts.gov. The fee waiver request must be sent at the same time you file your Answer.

Do not use this packet if you think you have a counterclaim, cross-claim or third party complaint (definitions for these terms appear on page 5); instead use packet 11968, How to Answer a Complaint in the Special Civil Part With a Counterclaim, Cross-claim and/or Third-Party Complaint.