New Jersey working papers are now fully digital. A minor applies online once they have a job offer, the employer approves using its 8-digit code, and a parent or caregiver uploads proof of age and approves too. The minor can start work once the application is approved.
That's the whole process in brief. The parts that cause trouble are the 14-day clock, what happens when someone changes jobs, and the hours a teen can legally work. This guide uses the New Jersey Department of Labor's working papers pages and child labor law, read in October 2026.
How to get working papers in NJ, step by step
- Get a job offer. You can only apply once you have one, and an employer will reject an application without an offer.
- Create an account and complete the application. You'll need the employer's unique 8-digit code and your caregiver's name and email address.
- The employer verifies your details and approves the application from its own account.
- Your caregiver gets an email, uploads your proof of age, ticks the authorisation box and approves.
- Once it's approved, you, your employer and your caregiver all get an email, and you can start work.
Your caregiver's email address can't be the same as yours. If your employer isn't registered yet, give the Department its email address and it'll be sent a link to set up an account.
The 14-day rule
Here's the insight most families don't know. If your caregiver doesn't approve or reject within 14 days of the employer approving, the application becomes "Approved (Provisional)" and you can start working. But if your caregiver rejects it later, even after you've started, you must stop working straight away.
The clock runs the other way too. If the employer doesn't act within 14 days, your application is no longer valid, and you'll need to submit a new one.
What happens when you change jobs
| Situation | New application needed? |
|---|---|
| Same employer, same job, new school year | No, there's no yearly renewal |
| New employer | Yes, one approved application per employer |
| Same employer, new job title or duties | Yes |
| Second job alongside the first | Yes, from the same account |
| Authorised on paper before June 1, 2023 with no changes | No |
How old do you have to be?
Employers can hire minors as young as 12 for some jobs, but there are higher minimum ages for certain work, including retail and food service. The Department won't approve working papers if the job is unsafe or would make a minor work more than the maximum hours allowed.
Hour limits for minors in New Jersey
| Rule (N.J.S.A. 34:2-21, as of October 2026) | Under 16 | Ages 16 and 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Days a week | No more than 6 | No more than 6 |
| Hours a day | No more than 8 | No more than 8 |
| Hours a week | No more than 40 | No more than 40 |
| Time of day | Not before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. | Not before 6 a.m. or after 11 p.m., with vacation exceptions |
| School year (ages 14 and 15) | 3 hours on a school day, 18 in a school week, 8 on a non-school day | Not applicable |
Breaks are a minors-only rule in New Jersey. The Department's FAQ says minors under 18 must get a 30-minute meal period after five consecutive hours of work, while break and lunch rules for adults are left to company policy.
If an application is rejected
If an application is rejected for any reason, the minor can't work until a new application is approved. The rejection email gives the reason and the next steps. The most common slip is choosing the wrong worksite when a business has more than one location, so check the address before you submit. Caregivers can reject on purpose too: if they're worried about the hours or the duties, rejecting the application stops the minor starting that job.
What employers do
- Register and complete your employer profile.
- Get your unique 8-digit code and give it to every minor you hire.
- Watch for the email each time a minor applies to work for you.
- Verify the details and approve, then wait for the caregiver to approve.
- Schedule the first day once you get the approval email.
Proof of age and the I-9
Your caregiver uploads the proof of age when completing their part of the application. Your employer will also ask for proof of age on the federal I-9 form, so keep the same document handy for your first day.
Theatrical work is different
If the job is acting or performing, don't use the working papers portal. The Department has a separate, newer process for theatrical permits for minors, and employers and parents of child actors must use that instead.
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My verdict
New Jersey has made working papers about as painless as they get. Get the offer, get the employer's 8-digit code, and chase your caregiver so you aren't relying on the 14-day provisional rule. Employers should build the six-day, 40-hour and evening limits into the rota from week one. For how the next state over handles it, see my New York working papers guide, and check the New Jersey minimum wage before you set teen pay.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get working papers in NJ?
Apply online after you get a job offer, using your employer's 8-digit code and your caregiver's email. Your employer and caregiver each approve their part, then you can start work.
Do NJ working papers need renewing every year?
No. You don't reapply each year if your employer and job duties haven't changed. A new employer, title or duties needs a new application.
What happens if a parent doesn't approve NJ working papers?
If your caregiver doesn't act within 14 days of the employer approving, the application becomes provisionally approved and you can work, but you must stop if your caregiver later rejects it.
How many hours can a 16 year old work in NJ?
No more than 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week and 6 days a week, and not before 6 a.m. or after 11 p.m., with some vacation exceptions.
Can you apply for NJ working papers before getting a job?
No. You can only submit an application once you have an offer of employment.
Do you need new NJ working papers for a second job?
Yes. You need an approved Working Papers application for every employer you work for, and you start each one from the same account.
