Rule 4:48-1.Execution and Delivery of Warrant of Satisfaction; Appeal after Satisfaction and Execution
Last amended September 1, 2026 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:48-1 requires a warrant of satisfaction, identifying the judgment's docket location and directing the clerk to satisfy it of record, once a judgment is paid off.
(a)Execution and Delivery. Upon satisfaction of a judgment duly entered and docketed, a warrant shall be executed and delivered to the party making satisfaction or to the party’s representative, guardian or attorney, or to the clerk of the court, stating the judgment docket number or book and page where it is recorded and directing the clerk to satisfy the same of record. The warrant shall be executed by anyone entitled to receive satisfaction or by the attorney of record in the action. If executed by anyone other than the attorney of record the warrant shall be duly acknowledged. If executed by the attorney of record the attorney’s certification shall suffice.
(b)Appeal after Satisfaction and Execution. A party may appeal after acceptance of payment of a final judgment only if the party can show: (1) the party made an intention to appeal known prior to accepting payment of the final judgment and prior to executing a warrant to satisfy that judgment and (2) prevailing on the appellate issue would not impact the final judgment other than to potentially increase the judgment amount.
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. 4:60-1. Amended July 14, 1972 to be effective September 5, 1972; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; caption amended, text redesignated as paragraph (a) and caption added, and new paragraph (b) added July 23, 2026 to be effective September 1, 2026.
Plain-English Summary
Paying off a judgment does not clear the record by itself — a warrant of satisfaction has to follow. It identifies where the judgment is docketed and directs the clerk to mark it satisfied, and it goes to whoever made the payment, or that party's representative, guardian, or attorney, or straight to the clerk.
Whoever signs the warrant matters, too. Anyone entitled to receive the satisfaction, or the attorney of record, may execute it, but a non-attorney's signature has to be acknowledged, while the attorney of record's own certification is enough on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a warrant of satisfaction do?
It identifies the judgment by its docket number or book and page and directs the clerk to satisfy it of record.
Who can sign a warrant of satisfaction?
Anyone entitled to receive the satisfaction, or the attorney of record; a non-attorney's signature must be acknowledged, while the attorney of record's certification is sufficient on its own.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:48-1). 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:warrant of satisfactionsatisfying a judgment