The name of any newspaper published within the state may be changed by recording and filing a certificate under the hand of its proprietor, or if its proprietor be a corporation under the corporate seal, setting forth the name of the newspaper, its proprietorship, place of publication, the new name adopted and the date when the change of name shall take effect, which shall be not less than one week after the filing of the certificate.
The execution of the certificate shall be proved or acknowledged as required for deeds of real estate and shall be recorded in a book to be kept for that purpose in the office of the clerk of the county in which the newspaper is published, and after being recorded shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state. The certificate or a copy duly certified by the secretary of state shall be competent evidence in any court.
N.J.S. § 35:1-3