A party may serve upon any other party a written request to admit, for purposes of the pending action only, the truth of any matters within the scope of R. 4:10-2 relating to facts, the application of law to fact, or opinions about either; and the genuineness of any described documents. Copies of documents shall be served with the request unless they have been or are otherwise furnished or made available for inspection and copying. The request may, without leave of court, be served upon the plaintiff after commencement of the action and upon any other party with or after service of the summons and complaint upon that party. Each matter of which an admission is requested shall be separately set forth. The matter is admitted unless, within 30 days after service of the request, or within such shorter or longer time as the court may allow, the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the party requesting the admission a written answer or objection addressed to the matter, signed by the party or by the party’s attorney; but, unless the court shortens the time, a defendant shall not be required to serve answers or objections before the expiration of 45 days after being served with the summons and complaint. If objection is made, the reasons therefor shall be stated. The answer shall specifically deny the matter or set forth in detail the reasons why the answering party cannot truthfully admit or deny the matter. A denial shall fairly meet the substance of the requested admission, and when good faith requires that a party qualify the answer or deny only a part of the matter of which an admission is requested, the party shall specify so much of it as is true and qualify or deny the remainder. An answering party may not give lack of information or knowledge as a reason for failure to admit or deny unless stating that a reasonable inquiry was made, and that the information known or readily obtainable is insufficient to enable an admission or denial. A party who considers that a matter of which an admission has been requested presents a genuine issue for trial may not, on that ground alone, object to the request but may, subject to the provisions of R. 4:23-3, deny the matter or set forth reasons for not being able to admit or deny. Requests for admission and answers thereto shall be served pursuant to R. 1:5-1 and shall not be filed unless the court otherwise directs. The party who has requested the admissions may move to determine the sufficiency of the answers or objections. Unless the court determines that an objection is justified, it shall order that an answer be served. If the court determines that an answer does not comply with the requirements of this rule, it may order either that the matter is admitted or that an amended answer be served. The provisions of R. 4:23-1(c) apply to the award of expenses incurred in relation to the motion.
Rule 4:22-1.Request for Admission
Last amended September 1, 2024 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:22-1 lets a party serve requests for admission of facts, the application of law to fact, or the genuineness of documents, which are deemed admitted unless answered or objected to within 30 days (a defendant within 45 days), with a procedure to test the sufficiency of answers.
Full Text of Rule 4:22-1
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. 4:26-1. Former rule deleted and new R. 4:22-1 adopted July 14, 1972 to be effective September 5, 1972; amended November 27, 1974 to be effective April 1, 1975; amended July 24, 1978 to be effective September 11, 1978; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; amended July 15, 2024 to be effective September 1, 2024.
Plain-English Summary
Requests for admission narrow a case by pinning down what is not really disputed. A party may serve a written request that another party admit, for the pending action only, the truth of matters within the scope of discovery — facts, the application of law to fact, or opinions about either — and the genuineness of documents. Each matter is set out separately, and copies of any documents accompany the request.
Silence is consequential. A matter is admitted unless the party answers or objects within 30 days (a defendant need not answer before 45 days after being served with the complaint). An answer must admit, specifically deny, or explain in detail why the party cannot admit or deny, and a party cannot claim lack of information without a reasonable inquiry. The requesting party may move to determine the sufficiency of the answers, and the court may order a matter admitted or an amended answer served.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a request for admission?
A written request that another party admit the truth of specified facts, the application of law to fact, or the genuineness of documents, for the pending action only. It narrows the issues by establishing what is not truly in dispute.
What happens if you do not respond to a request for admission?
The matter is deemed admitted. A party must serve a written answer or objection within 30 days of the request, though a defendant need not respond before 45 days after being served with the summons and complaint.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:22-1). 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: request for admissionrequests for admissionsRFAadmissionsdeemed admitted