February 9, 2026

In New Jersey, after March 1, 2026, when a corporation, individual, or other entity that does not qualify as a public entity (a “non-public entity”) must publish or advertise a legal notice pursuant to statute, court order, or court rule, P.L. 2025, Chapter 72 (the “Statute”) governs the method of publication. The Statute directs that such notices be published or advertised on an eligible online news publication that satisfies the criteria set forth in C.35:3-3. The Statute uses mandatory language to describe this method of publication and, read together with C.35:3-4(b) of the Statute, identifies publication in an eligible online news publication as the means by which a non-public entity is deemed to satisfy a legal notice obligation. The Statute establishes online publication as a statutorily sufficient means of compliance for non-public entities when a publication requirement applies.

An online news publication qualifies for this purpose only if, inter alia, it meets detailed statutory criteria, including continuous operation for at least three (3) years, free public access without registration or subscription, searchable access to current and archived notices, and maintenance of a one-year archive. The publication must display legal notices for at least one (1) week, comply with substantive notice requirements that apply to print newspapers, maintain specified security and contingency measures, and carry media liability insurance up to $1 million. The Statute caps publication pricing at rates established under existing law, requires publication within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt unless otherwise directed, and treats false representations of eligibility as an unlawful practice subject to enforcement by the Attorney General.

The Statute outlines the publication requirements for public entities too with their own set of rules and requirements. READ MORE HERE.