Rule 4:48-3.Entry of satisfaction on payment of moneys into court

Last amended September 1, 1994 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026

In one sentenceRule 4:48-3 lets a party pay a judgment into court, rather than to a holder who won't cooperate or can't be found, and preserves that party's right to appeal or seek relief from the judgment despite making the payment.

Full Text of Rule 4:48-3

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Motion for Payment. If a judgment or order for the payment of money is rendered or docketed, or the records thereof are in the custody of the court, the court shall on motion order the clerk of the court to accept payment of the amount thereof, with interest and costs, and, upon receiving payment, to enter satisfaction thereof on the record, if it shall appear upon the motion that:

(1) A tender of the amount due thereon, with interest and costs, has been made to the holder thereof, who refuses to accept the tender or to execute a satisfaction or warrant in satisfaction therefor; or

(2) The whereabouts of the holder thereof is unknown and an investigation, the results of which shall be set forth by affidavits on the motion, has been made to discover the holder’s whereabouts; or

(3) An appeal is pending or the time limited for taking an appeal has not expired and the moving party intends to appeal; or

(4) A motion for relief from the judgment or order or for a new trial is pending, or the time limited for making such motion has not expired and the moving party intends to so move, but in that event the moving party shall, with the payment to the clerk, deliver a bond to the clerk in such amount and form and with such sureties as the court approves, as security for the payment of the costs on such motion.

(b) Terms of Motion; Effective Payment. A motion under R. 4:48-3(a) shall state the court in which the judgment or order was recovered or docketed, the parties thereto, the date and amount thereof, and the book and page of record and of the docketing. Payment to the clerk of the amount due upon judgment or order shall not be deemed to affect the right of any party to the action to appeal or to move for relief or for a new trial. The clerk shall hold moneys so paid into court subject to the further order of the court.

End

Amendment History

New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “History” note beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; the “R.R.” citations refer to the former Revised Rules numbering the current rules replaced.

Source-R.R. 4:60-4, 4:60-5; paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (4); amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.

Plain-English Summary

Sometimes the party owed a judgment won't take the money, or can't be located. Rule 4:48-3 lets the paying party move the court to accept payment through the clerk instead — because the holder refused a tender, the holder's whereabouts are unknown despite a documented search, an appeal is pending or intended, or a motion for relief from judgment or a new trial is pending or intended, backed by a bond covering the costs of that motion.

Paying the clerk this way doesn't cost the paying party its other options: the right to appeal or to move for relief or a new trial survives untouched, and the clerk holds the money until the court says otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a party pay a judgment into court if the judgment creditor refuses to accept it?

Yes. The court must order the clerk to accept the payment and enter satisfaction if the creditor refuses a tender, cannot be located, or an appeal or post-judgment motion is pending or intended.

Does paying a judgment into court give up the right to appeal?

No. Payment to the clerk under this rule does not affect the paying party's right to appeal or to move for relief from the judgment or a new trial.

Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:48-3). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey (N.J. Const. art. VI, § 2, ¶ 3). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 7, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: paying a judgment into courttender of judgment payment