New Jersey: Polity Style: 1776-2025

2 Jul 1776	the Constitution of New Jersey is adopted by the Provincial Congress at the session held in Burlington on 2 Jul 1776 (New Jersey Session Laws, 1776, Constitution, pp. iii-x; New Jersey Convention 1776, pp. 35-36)
2 Jul 1776 -	Colony of New Jersey :: State of New Jersey [1]
4 Jul 1776	the British colonies represented in the Continental Congress are proclaimed free and independent states in accordance with a declaration approved at the session of the Congress held on 4 Jul 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Continental Congress Journals, 5:510-515)
18 Jul 1776	the style and title of the Provincial Congress of New Jersey is changed to the Convention of the State of New Jersey in accordance with a resolution passed by the Provincial Congress at the session held in Burlington on 2 Jul 1776 (New Jersey Convention 1776, p. 52)
20 Sep 1777	the references to "Colony" in official usage are replaced with "State" in accordance with an act passed by the Legislative Council on 18 Sep 1777 and by the General Assembly on 20 Sep 1777 (New Jersey Legislative Council Journal, 1777, 1st session, p. 108; New Jersey General Assembly Proceedings, 1777, 1st session, p. 182; New Jersey Session Laws, 1777, c. 41, pp. 92-93) [2]
20 Nov 1778	the delegates of New Jersey to the Continental Congress are authorized to subscribe and ratify the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union by an act passed by the Legislative Council on 19 Nov 1778 and by the General Assembly on 20 Nov 1778 (New Jersey Legislative Council Journal, 1778, 3rd Session, p. 15; New Jersey General Assembly Proceedings, 1778, 3rd Session, p. 29; New Jersey Session Laws, 1778, c. 1, pp. 3-4) [3]
26 Nov 1778	the delegates of New Jersey to the Continental Congress signed the ratification of the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, session of the Congress, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Continental Congress Journals, 12:1164)
1 Mar 1781	New Jersey formed part of the United States upon the taking effect of the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union (Continental Congress Journals, 19:213-223)

The style "Colony of New Jersey" was used in the Constitution of 1776, which prescribed its use as the inscription on the Great Seal, as well as in commissions and oaths. However, following the Declaration of Independence on 4 Jul 1776, the designation "State of New Jersey" came into official use. The Provincial Congress changed its name to the Convention of the State of New Jersey on 18 Jul 1776, and the references to "colony" were finally excluded from official use by an act passed on 20 Sep 1777.
Full title: An Act to ascertain the Punishment for High Treason, and to establish the Word State instead of Colony in Commissions, Writs and other Process; and for other Purposes therein mentioned.
Full title: An Act to authorize and empower the Delegates of the State of New Jersey, in Congress, to subscribe and ratify the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the several States.