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Rule 5:2-2.Change of Venue

Last amended December 31, 1983 · Current through September 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5:2-2 handles change of venue in family actions by pointing to three existing rules — the criminal rule, the civil rule, and the juvenile delinquency rule — according to the kind of case.

Full Text of Rule 5:2-2

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Change of venue in family actions shall be governed, as applicable, by R. 3:14-2 (criminal actions), R. 4:3-3 (civil actions) and R. 5:19-1 (juvenile delinquency actions).
End

Amendment History

New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “Note” beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; a “Source” line names the former rule the current one grew out of, and “R. (1969)” citations refer to the earlier numbering it replaced.

Note: Source--new. Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983.

Plain-English Summary

A one-sentence referral rule. Family actions do not get their own change-of-venue standard; they borrow. Criminal actions follow Rule 3:14-2, civil actions follow Rule 4:3-3, and juvenile delinquency actions follow Rule 5:19-1.

The practical consequence is that the grounds and procedure for moving a case to another county are the ones you would use outside the Family Part. What this rule supplies is only the routing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change venue in a divorce case?

Through the civil rule. Rule 5:2-2 directs civil family actions to Rule 4:3-3 for change of venue.

Is there a separate family standard for changing venue?

No. The rule supplies no standard of its own — it applies the criminal, civil or juvenile delinquency rule according to the kind of action.

Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the official New Jersey Rules of Court, Part V (N.J. Ct. R. 5:2-2). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 8, 2026. · Official source
Also known as: change of venuemove the case to another countytransfer venue