Civil Action
PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE PROTHONOTARY OFFICE, PLEASE REFER TO THE PA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND LANCASTER LOCAL RULES OF COURT FOR APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS AND RULES.
**All paperwork for existing cases must include case number (CI-yy-xxxxx)**
**STATE AND LOCAL COVER SHEETS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL FILINGS, EXCEPT WHERE NOTED**
**Court Administration Office Scheduling Cover Sheet (CAOSCS) required for scheduling a hearing**
**All fees must be paid at the time of filing**
**For parties to receive copies, please include self-addressed, stamped envelopes**
Complaint
File the complaint with state and civil cover sheets. The filing fee is $173.25. Please add an additional $5.50 for each additional defendant or plaintiff over six (6).
Summons
File a praecipe to issue writ of summons with a writ of summons. You may download the writ from our forms library. The filing fee is $173.25. Please add an additional $5.50 for each additional defendant or plaintiff over six (6).
Writ of Revival
File the praecipe and writ of revival. The money amount must be the same or less than the original judgment. Include the certification of addresses. The filing fee is $35.00.
Petition to Open / Strike Judgment
File the petition using the common pleas docket number of the judgment and an order. The filing fee is $154.25. This does not require cover sheets.
Name Change
File a petition, order for a hearing, order for publication, and a decree. The filing fee is $183.25.
You must publish in the Lancaster Law Review and the newspaper of largest circulation where the petitioner lives. You must be a resident of Lancaster County for five years; otherwise you must provide a search from all counties in which you have resided. See the Self Help Center for the forms to file and the fees for publishing.
Proof of publication may be filed, after publishing, or taken to the hearing. File an original and a copy.
Mechanics Lien Claim
File the mechanics lien claim with dollar amount of claim. Include addresses of the plaintiffs and defendants. The filing fee is $173.25.
Miscellaneous Filing
Petitions (except petitions to open or strike), motions, preliminary objections, answers, entries / withdrawals of appearance, and demands for a jury trial do not require a fee. File an original and as many copies as you require back with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for each party.
There is a fee for an order to settle, discontinue, and end, or an order to satisfy a judgment if the case was filed in 1992 or before. There may not be any fee for satisfactions of judgments or orders to settle, discontinue, and end filed in 1993 or later. The filing fee is $154.25. This does not require cover sheets.
Issuance of a Subpoena From Another State
File the Praecipe, Foreign Subpoena, Local Subpoena, Self Addressed Stamped Envelope for return service, A one time filing fee of $24.00 and $4.50 for each Local Subpoena issued.
Surety Bonds
File the financial statement and certificate of authority of Pennsylvania State. The filing fee is $24.50.
Filing of Foreign Order
File a certified copy of the order with a certification of addresses. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Only a local cover sheet is required. The filing fee is $41.50 if the Order directs the Court to enter a judgment. The filing fee is $24.00 if no judgment is being entered.
School Audit
File a signed audit. Include a copy of the first page and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for your receipt and file number. The filing fee is $22.50
Building Agreements
Waiver of Liens or stipulations. The filing fee is $33.00. This requires a Local Cover Sheet only.