JEDS Electronic Filing for NJ Small Claims: What Defendants Need to Know

What JEDS Is

JEDS stands for Judiciary Electronic Document Submission. It is the New Jersey Judiciary's online portal that allows self-represented litigants to file documents with the court electronically. You access it through njcourts.gov.

Licensed attorneys use a separate system called eCourts. JEDS is specifically for people representing themselves.

Do Defendants Need a JEDS Account?

Usually not. If you were served with a Small Claims complaint (docket prefix "SC"), you do not file a written answer with the court. Under New Jersey Court Rule 6:3-1, no written answer is permitted or required in the Small Claims Section. Your obligation is to appear on the hearing date.

That means many small claims defendants never need to touch JEDS at all. The court's self-help pages do not make this clear, and defendants often spend time registering for the portal unnecessarily.

You need JEDS only if you have a filing the court accepts through JEDS — for example:

• A counterclaim ($30 filing fee). If you believe the plaintiff owes you money from the same dispute, you file a counterclaim through JEDS or at the clerk's window.
• A motion to vacate default judgment. If you missed your hearing and a default judgment was entered against you, the motion packet goes through JEDS. There is no filing fee for a motion in the Small Claims Section.
• An adjournment request. Some counties accept these through JEDS. Check with your county's Special Civil Part Clerk.

For pre-trial exhibits, the court may ask parties to submit evidence in advance. NJ Courts provides a separate "Submit Evidence Files Online" system; confirm the method and deadline with your court.

If none of these apply to you, skip JEDS and focus on preparing your evidence for the hearing.

How to Register

Go to njcourts.gov and find the JEDS registration page. You will need to create an account with your name, email address, and a password. The system will verify your identity and associate your account with your contact information.

Registration is free. There is no cost to create an account — fees only apply when you actually file a document that carries a filing fee.

Uploading Documents

When you file through JEDS, you upload your documents as PDF files. The system requires searchable PDFs (not scanned images of handwritten notes). If you are typing your counterclaim or motion on a computer, save it as a PDF before uploading.

Each upload generates a confirmation receipt. Save that receipt — it proves when you filed. An upload confirmation means the file was received by the system. It does not mean the clerk has accepted the filing. The clerk reviews submissions and can reject a document for missing signatures, failure to redact personal identifiers under Rule 1:38-7, or unpaid filing fees.

If a filing is rejected, JEDS will notify you with a reason. You correct the issue and resubmit.

What JEDS Cannot Do

JEDS is a document submission portal, not a case management system. You cannot use it to:

• Check your hearing date (use the public case search on njcourts.gov instead)
• Communicate with the judge
• Request a phone hearing
• Pay a judgment
• View documents filed by the other side

For case status and hearing dates, use the separate public case lookup tool on njcourts.gov with your docket number.

Tips for Virtual Hearings and Pre-Filed Exhibits

If your hearing is virtual (Microsoft Teams or another platform), the court may ask both parties to submit evidence in advance so the judge can view documents during the video session. Follow the court's instructions for the evidence-submission system and deadline; NJ Courts provides a separate "Submit Evidence Files Online" system.

Label each exhibit clearly (Defendant Exhibit D-1, D-2, etc.) and include a cover page listing all submitted documents. Even if you pre-file exhibits electronically, bring copies to the hearing as backup.

The Bottom Line for Defendants

Most NJ small claims defendants do not need JEDS. If you are simply defending against a complaint and have no counterclaim to file and no default to vacate, your only obligation is to appear at the hearing with your evidence. Save your time for preparation rather than portal registration.

The Responding to a Small Claims Case in New Jersey guide maps out exactly which filings apply to each situation — counterclaim, motion to vacate, adjournment — and walks through the process for each one.

See more New Jersey guides →