N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-54
Notices and summons; substituted service; service by posting
Operative Text
Where for any reason, any of the notices required by section 2A:18-53 of this title, cannot be served as provided in said section or a summons and complaint cannot be served as in other actions, such notices or summons and complaint may be served upon any person actually occupying the premises, either personally or by leaving same with a member of his family above the age of 14 years, or when admission to the premises is denied or the tenant or occupant and all members of his family above the age of 14 years are absent from the premises, or there is no person actually occupying them, the officer or other person may post or affix a copy of the same upon the door or other conspicuous part of such premises. Such posting shall be deemed to be lawful service.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-54, New Jersey law establishes alternative methods for serving required notices and court summonses in eviction proceedings when standard personal service is not possible. If the tenant or occupant cannot be reached directly, service may be made on a family member over age 14 who is present at the premises. When the premises are unoccupied or access is denied and no qualifying family member is available, an officer or authorized person may post the notice or summons on the door or another conspicuous part of the property, and that posting is treated as legally valid service.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under New Jersey eviction procedures should be aware that N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-54 provides a structured hierarchy of service methods when a tenant cannot be reached for standard personal service. Compliant operators generally document each attempt at direct service before resorting to substituted service on a qualifying family member or, as a last resort, posting on the premises. Maintaining clear records of service attempts, the method ultimately used, and the date and location of any posting helps demonstrate that the procedural requirements of § 2A:18-54 were followed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-54 governs how eviction-related notices and court summonses may be delivered to tenants in New Jersey, including by leaving them with a family member over 14 or by posting them on the door when no one is available. Tenants should be aware that a notice posted on their door in this manner is considered legally served, even if they did not personally receive it, which means response deadlines may still apply. Tenants who believe service was not carried out in accordance with § 2A:18-54's requirements may be able to raise that issue in court proceedings, and tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help explain what options may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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