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New Jersey Promissory Notes

Create a legally compliant New Jersey promissory note that complies with state usury limits and includes all required provisions. Choose the note type that fits your lending situation, fill out the guided form, and download your professional PDF for $7.99.

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New Jersey Usury Law and Note Requirements

Max Interest Rate 16%
Rate Description 16% civil maximum; 30% criminal threshold
Default Rate 6%
Penalty for Exceeding Usury Limit Forfeiture of all interest (N.J.S.A. 31:1-3); rates over 30% are criminal usury (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-19)
Statute of Limitations 6 years
Notarization Required Not required (recommended)
Witness Required Not required
Governing Agency New Jersey Superior Courts

Verified against official New Jersey usury statutes and New Jersey Superior Courts guidance. Last reviewed May 2026. How we verify our legal data.

A New Jersey promissory note is governed by state usury law, which sets a general civil ceiling of 16 percent per year for loans without a specified higher legal rate. Interest at or above 30 percent for individual borrowers (50 percent for corporate borrowers) is criminal usury.

When a note is silent on interest, New Jersey's default rate is 6 percent. The statute of limitations on a written note is six years. Our documents include a usury savings clause and capture the terms a New Jersey court looks for in an enforceable note.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum interest rate for a promissory note in New Jersey?

New Jersey caps the maximum interest rate at 16% (16% civil maximum; 30% criminal threshold). Exceeding this limit may result in penalties: Forfeiture of all interest (N.J.S.A. 31:1-3); rates over 30% are criminal usury (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-19). If no rate is specified, the default legal rate is 6%. Our documents include a usury savings clause for additional protection.

Does a promissory note need to be notarized in New Jersey?

Notarization is not legally required in New Jersey, but it is strongly recommended. A notarized note is easier to enforce in court and helps verify the identities of all parties. While not required, having 1 witness is recommended.

How much does a New Jersey promissory note cost?

Each promissory note costs $7.99. Choose your note type, fill in your details through our guided form, and download your completed, New Jersey-compliant PDF instantly. Re-download available for 5 days.

What are New Jersey's usury laws for private promissory notes?

New Jersey's civil usury limit is 30% per year for consumer loans (N.J.S.A. 31:1-1). For commercial loans, New Jersey courts apply a reasonableness standard rather than a strict statutory cap. Criminal usury applies to rates exceeding 30% charged by individuals (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-19). New Jersey's 6-year statute of limitations applies to written contracts. For loans to businesses or between sophisticated parties, rates above 30% may be enforceable if commercially reasonable.

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