Court of Common Pleas of Adams County, Pennsylvania Filing Fees and Waivers

CRITICALCivil cases

If the moving party does not provide sufficient copies, the Prothonotary must make them and charge the moving party the fee established by administrative order.

If sufficient copies are not provided, the Prothonotary shall make sufficient copies and charge the moving party a fee established by administrative order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Fee

75 $

Applies to

Adoption investigation

The agency investigation fee is set periodically by administrative order and is $75 until changed; child-abuse-clearance and criminal-history fees are additional.

Fees for investigations by the agency shall be periodically set by the administrative order. Until changed, the fee shall be $75.00. Fees for obtaining child abuse clearances and criminal histories shall be in addition to the investigation fee.

CRITICAL

Fee

1000

Applies to

Board of view petition

For a private-road request or other circumstance in which a party is statutorily responsible for costs, the petitioner must deposit the Board's fees and expenses with the Prothonotary upon appointment; the initial deposit is $1,000.

When the request for a Board of View concerns a private road or other circumstance where a party is statutorily responsible for such costs the Court shall, upon appointment of the Board of View, direct the petitioner to deposit a sum with the Prothonotary to cover the fees and expenses of the Board. That sum shall be from time to time designated by the President Judge but shall initially be set at $1,000.00.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Board of view petition

No further action on the Board of View petition will occur until the required deposit is presented to the Prothonotary.

No further action on the petition shall occur until the deposit is presented to the Prothonotary.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript copy

A transcript copy may not be provided unless the original is filed of record and any cost for the copy has been paid.

No copy of a transcript shall be provided to any party unless an original transcript has been filed of record and the cost of the copy being sought, if any, has been paid.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Custody action

An appropriate filing fee must be paid at the Prothonotary's Office when the proposed order is submitted for an agreed custody action initiated without a custody conference.

If you are initiating a custody action and the parties have reached an agreement without the need of a custody conference, you must file a custody complaint with criminal affidavits of the parties and pay the appropriate filing fee at the Prothonotary’s Office at the same time as submitting the proposed order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript copy

After the balance is paid to the filing office, it notifies Court Administration and the Court Reporter then delivers a copy to the requesting party.

Upon payment of the balance owed to the filing office, the filing office shall notify Court Administration, and thereafter the Court Reporter shall deliver a copy to the requesting party.

CRITICALCivil cases

Fee

800 $

Applies to

Mediation deposit

The parties must deposit $800 with the Prothonotary within ten days after the mediation referral order; additional funds may be approved for certain mediations, and the deposit is refunded if the case settles before mediation begins.

Within ten (10) days of the entry of the Order referring the case to Mediation, the parties shall deposit the sum of $800.00 with the Adams County Prothonotary. The appointed Mediator may petition the Court for approval of additional funds for prolonged or complex mediations expected to last more than one-half (1/2) day. Failure to pay the deposit shall be brought to the court’s attention by the Prothonotary and/or any party and sanctions may be imposed. If the case settled prior to the start of mediation the funds shall be refunded to the parties in equal or pro rata shares as applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

Transcript fees must be paid by check, money order, or credit card as required by the filing office.

Fees for all transcripts shall be payable by check, money order, or credit card as required by the respective filing office.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The order may set a reduced payment rate and direct transcript preparation upon payment of that rate.

(2) setting a reduced payment rate and directing the transcript to be prepared upon payment of the reduced rate;

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion for appointment of divorce hearing officer

The court-determined deposit must be paid to the Prothonotary when the appointment motion is filed.

A deposit as determined by the court shall be paid to the Prothonotary at the filing of the Motion for the Appointment of the Divorce Hearing Officer.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Divorce hearing officer costs

The deposit is applied to approved hearing-officer costs; additional deposits may be directed, and assessed costs must be paid or deposited within 30 days of the court order.

The deposit shall be applied to the divorce hearing officer’s bill of cost as submitted and approved by the court. The divorce hearing officer’s fees shall be regarded as costs of the case and the divorce hearing officer may recommend the manner in which those costs shall be allocated. Once appointed, the divorce hearing officer may direct at any time that additional deposits be made. In the event that the divorce hearing officer or the court assesses costs against a party to the action, the costs shall be paid in full or a sufficient amount to cover the costs shall be deposited to the Prothonotary within thirty (30) days of the date of the court order. If the payment or deposit is not made within that time frame, in addition to other remedies, the court may direct the divorce hearing officer to liquidate sufficient marital property to pay all sums due and owing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Adoption investigation

Unless excused from an investigation, petitioners or persons filing a notice of intention to adopt must pay the investigation fee within two weeks of whichever is filed first.

Petitioners and/or persons filing notices of intention to adopt shall, unless excused from an investigation, pay the investigation fee within two (2) weeks of filing a petition or notice of intention to adopt, whichever is filed first.

CRITICAL

Fee

2

Applies to

Daily original transcript

A daily original transcript costs $2.00 per page for the Commonwealth or its subdivision.

(3) for a daily transcript, $2.00 per page, and

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Additional conciliation conference

A party requesting an additional conference must pay an additional conciliator’s fee before it is scheduled.

In the event a party requests an additional conciliation conference, the requesting party shall pay an additional conciliator’s fee, which shall be paid prior to the scheduling of an additional conciliation conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Board of view petition

The Court may, at the request of the chairperson, direct that additional sums be deposited consistent with the services provided or to be provided by the Board. In such circumstance the proceedings shall be stayed pending receipt of the additional deposit, unless otherwise directed by the Court.

The Court may, at the request of the chairperson, direct that additional sums be deposited consistent with the services provided or to be provided by the Board. In such circumstance the proceedings shall be stayed pending receipt of the additional deposit, unless otherwise directed by the Court.

CRITICAL

Fee

6.5

Applies to

Same day original transcript

A same-day original transcript costs $6.50 per page for a requester other than the Commonwealth or its subdivision.

(4) for same day delivery, $6.50 per page.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

Any required deposit or reduced payment must be paid to the filing office before transcript preparation begins.

If deposit or reduced payment is required, the payment shall be paid to the filing office prior to commencement of transcript preparation.

CRITICAL

Fee

1.75

Applies to

Expedited original transcript

An expedited original transcript costs $1.75 per page for the Commonwealth or its subdivision.

(2) for an expedited transcript, $1.75 per page,

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Custody claim

The Prothonotary collects the required filing fees when a custody claim is raised.

The Prothonotary shall collect the requisite filing fees for a custody claim at the time the claim is raised.

CRITICAL

Fee

3.5

Applies to

Expedited original transcript

An expedited original transcript costs $3.50 per page for a requester other than the Commonwealth or its subdivision.

(2) for an expedited transcript, $3.50 per page,

CRITICAL

Fee

0.5

Applies to

Electronic copy of original transcript

An electronic copy of an original transcript costs $0.50 per page.

in order to obtain a copy of the Original transcript, costs payable by the requesting party shall be 50 cents per page for an electronic copy

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Custody complaint or modification petition

The moving party must deposit the court-established conciliator’s fee when filing a custody complaint or petition to modify custody.

At the time of filing the custody complaint or petition for modification of custody, the moving party shall deposit a conciliator’s fee, which shall be established by administrative order of the court.

CRITICAL

Fee

4

Applies to

Same day original transcript

A same-day original transcript costs $4.00 per page for the Commonwealth or its subdivision.

(4) for same day delivery, $4.00 per page.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Contempt or enforcement matter

For a contempt or enforcement matter referred to conciliation, the petitioner must pay the fee at least five days before the conference or the conference will be canceled and the petition dismissed.

If a contempt/enforcement matter is referred to conciliation, the petitioner shall pay the conciliation fee at least five (5) days prior to the conciliation conference, otherwise the conference shall be canceled and the petition dismissed.

CRITICAL

Fee

2.5

Applies to

Ordinary original transcript

An ordinary original transcript costs $2.50 per page for a requester other than the Commonwealth or its subdivision.

(1) for an ordinary transcript, $2.50 per page,

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion for appointment of divorce hearing officer

Either party may seek appointment of a divorce hearing officer by filing a motion and proposed order with the required deposit and filing fee.

Either party may file a motion and proposed Order of Court for an appointment of a divorce hearing officer to hear claims as permitted by Pa. R.Civ.P. No. 1920.51, along with the required deposit and filing fee.

CRITICALCivil cases

Fee

$25

The Prothonotary is entitled to a $25.00 administrative fee from the account for handling it.

The Prothonotary shall be entitled to an administrative fee of $25.00 from the account for handling the account.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript copy

After the Court sets the amount and the requester satisfies any related financial obligation, the Court Reporter must provide the transcript copy.

After the Court has set the amount to be paid, and upon satisfaction of any financial obligation related to the request, the Court Reporter shall provide a copy to the requesting party.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Fee

14.5

Applies to

Judgment entry and satisfaction

A fee must be collected to enter and satisfy judgment in the appropriate office in the county where the realty is located; the Adams County fee is $14.50 until changed.

The official with whom bail is posted shall collect a fee to enter and satisfy judgment in an appropriate office in the county in which the realty is situated. Until changed, the fee for judgments in Adams County shall be $14.50.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The order may approve or deny an economic-hardship exemption and direct transcript preparation where applicable.

(3) approving or denying an economic hardship exemption and, where applicable, directing preparation of the transcript.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Petition to intervene

A petitioner whose intervention is granted and whose matter is referred to conciliation must pay the fee at least five days before the conference or the conference will be canceled and the petition dismissed.

If a petition to intervene is granted by the presiding judge and the matter referred to conciliation, the petitioner shall pay the conciliation fee at least five (5) days prior to the conciliation conference, otherwise the conference will be canceled and the petition dismissed.

CRITICAL

Fee

1.55

Applies to

Ordinary original transcript

An ordinary original transcript costs $1.55 per page for the Commonwealth or its subdivision.

(1) for an ordinary transcript, $1.55 per page,

CRITICALCivil cases

If the case is withdrawn before any conference, the party who paid the initial fee must move for a refund within ten days after the last scheduled conference; later requests will not be granted.

If the case is withdrawn from the conciliator’s consideration prior to any conciliation conference occurring, and the party paying the initial conciliator’s fee seeks a refund thereof, the party shall file a motion requesting a refund not later than ten (10) days after the last scheduled conciliation conference. Requests for refund filed more than ten days after the last scheduled conciliation conference will not be granted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The order may require a deposit equal to 75 percent of the anticipated transcript cost before preparation begins.

(1) setting forth the amount of the deposit which shall be 75 percent of the anticipated total cost of the transcript and directing the transcript to be prepared upon payment of the deposit;

CRITICAL

Fee

4.5

Applies to

Daily original transcript

A daily original transcript costs $4.50 per page for a requester other than the Commonwealth or its subdivision.

(3) for a daily transcript, $4.50 per page, and

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Custody complaint or petition for modification

The moving party must pay the filing and conciliator’s fees when filing a custody complaint or modification petition, subject to the stated exceptions for the conciliator’s fee.

The moving party shall pay the requisite filing fee and the conciliator’s fee upon the filing of a custody complaint or petition for modification of a custody order. A conciliator’s fee shall not be paid with the filing of a petition to intervene or a petition for contempt for disobedience of a court order, unless said petition is filed contemporaneously with a custody complaint or petition for modification of custody. A conciliator’s fee shall not be paid if a stipulated agreement is filed contemporaneously with a custody complaint or petition for modification of custody.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Fee

$25

Applies to

Cash bail deposit return

Administrative order sets cash-bail administration costs; until changed, $25.00 is retained from returned cash deposits and paid to Adams County.

The costs of administering cash bail, including costs of the percentage-cash bail program, shall be set by administrative order. Until changed, the Clerk or Magisterial District Judge shall retain $25.00 as costs, when returning cash deposits to the persons entitled thereto. The amount retained shall then be paid to the County of Adams.

WARNING

Applies to

Public record access request

Depending on the volume of requested records, the Magisterial District Judge may require a reasonable deposit before authorizing a response.

Depending upon the volume of the records requested, the Magisterial District Judge may require a reasonable deposit before authorizing response to the request.

WARNINGCivil cases

The Prothonotary may assess postage fees against a moving party who fails to provide the required prepaid envelope.

Additionally, the Prothonotary may assess postage fees against any moving party who fails to furnish a pre-paid envelope as required by this rule.

WARNING

Fees paid for services are non-refundable.

Fees paid for services are non-refundable.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Divorce hearing officer fees

After filing the Report and Recommendation, the hearing officer may move for payment of fees and recommend return of any excess deposit.

Following the filing of the divorce hearing officer’s Report and Recommendation, the divorce hearing officer may file a motion and proposed order requesting payment of fees, along with a recommendation as to the return of any excess fees deposited on account, if applicable.

WARNING

Fee

0.25 dollars

Applies to

Public record access request

Facsimile or other electronic memos of requested public records cost $0.25 per page.

2. Facsimile or other electronic memos- $0.25 per page;

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Action referred to conciliator

Actions referred to the conciliator are subject to the administrative fees and conciliation procedures established by these Rules.

(c) Actions referred to the conciliator shall be subject to the administrative fees and conciliation procedures set forth in these Rules.

WARNING

Fee

0.15 dollars

Applies to

Public record access request

Converting records from electronic storage to paper costs $0.15 per page.

3. Conversion to paper from electronic storage- $0.15 per page;

WARNINGCivil cases

A moving party unable to pay may file a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis; if granted, the County of Adams pays the conciliator’s fee.

In the event that the moving party is unable to pay the conciliator’s fee, that party may apply file a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. If the Court grants the request, then the conciliator’s fee shall be paid by the County of Adams.

WARNING

Fee

0.25 dollars

Applies to

Public record access request

Photographing public magisterial district court records costs $0.25 per page.

1. Photographing- $0.25 per page;

WARNING

Fees received under the Rule must be recorded as magisterial district court revenue and remitted monthly to the County of Adams general fund.

All fees received pursuant to this Rule shall be identified as revenue to the magisterial district court and shall be remitted monthly to the general fund of the County of Adams.

WARNING

Fee

5 dollars

Applies to

Public record access request

Preparation, copying, and re-filing of requested records costs $5 per quarter hour.

6. $5.00 per each quarter (1/4) hour associated with the preparation, copying and re-filing of requested records.

WARNING

Applies to

Transcript

A party seeking consideration of transcript-related economic hardship may petition using the in forma pauperis self-help packet available at the law library or online.

A party seeking consideration of an economic hardship related to obtaining a transcript may petition the Court in utilizing the in forma pauperis self‐help packet available at the Adams County Law Library or online at www.adamscountypa.gov.

WARNINGCriminal cases

In addition to fees and charges imposed by statute or by the Supreme Court, the Court may impose fees as a condition of sentence or the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program (ARD), or the Addiction Diversionary Program (ADP). The fees shall be established by administrative order and may be assessed against a defendant by general wording in an order, to the effect, ''the defendant shall pay fees established by Local Rule of court or administrative order.'' An order may state, ''the defendant shall pay fees established by Local Rule of Court except (listed exceptions)'', in which instance all fees shall be included except those fees or that fee excepted.

In addition to fees and charges imposed by statute or by the Supreme Court, the Court may impose fees as a condition of sentence or the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program (ARD), or the Addiction Diversionary Program (ADP). The fees shall be established by administrative order and may be assessed against a defendant by general wording in an order, to the effect, ''the defendant shall pay fees established by Local Rule of court or administrative order.'' An order may state, ''the defendant shall pay fees established by Local Rule of Court except (listed exceptions)'', in which instance all fees shall be included except those fees or that fee excepted.

WARNINGCivil cases

The divorce hearing officer may require additional deposits with the Prothonotary before the hearing.

The divorce hearing officer may require additional deposits with the Prothonotary prior to hearing.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Mediation services

Unless all parties agree otherwise or the court orders otherwise, plaintiffs and defendants each bear half the mediator's cost; cases with more than two parties divide the cost equally or pro rata.

Except by agreement of all the parties or as otherwise ordered by the court, one-half the cost of the mediator’s services shall be borne by the plaintiff(s) and one-half by the defendant(s). In cases with more than two parties, each party must pay an equal (or pro rata) share.

WARNINGCivil cases

Each conference is allotted one-half hour; if it runs longer, the conciliator may petition for court-established additional compensation, which is added to the action’s costs and collected by the Prothonotary.

There shall be allotted one-half hour for each conciliation conference. In the event that the conciliation conference exceeds one-half hour, the conciliator may petition the court for additional compensation at the rate established by the court. This additional fee shall be added to the cost of the action and shall be collected by the Prothonotary.

WARNING

Applies to

Transcript copy

A bound paper transcript copy incurs a per-page cost in addition to the cost of producing the original.

per page for a bound, paper copy in addition to any cost incurred for the production of the original.

WARNING

Fee

25 dollars

A $25 administrative fee must be paid from the fund.

An administrative fee of twenty-five ($25.00} dollars shall be paid from the fund.

WARNING

Applies to

Public record access request

Postage for requested records is charged at actual cost.

4. Postage- actual cost;

WARNING

Applies to

Board of view deposit

The Prothonotary must maintain and disburse the deposit as directed by the Court and return any remaining balance within 40 days after the Court approves the Board's report.

The Prothonotary shall maintain the deposit, pay fees and expenses therefrom as directed by the Court, and return any remaining balance to the petitioner within forty {40) days after the date of approval of the Report of the Board by the Court.

INFOCivil cases

To avoid delay, an aggrieved party may pay the offending party’s deposit without waiving a request for sanctions against that party.

In order to avoid delay, the aggrieved party may elect to pay the deposit of the offending party without prejudice to request sanctions be given to the offending party.

INFO

Applies to

Transcript request

A litigant filing a transcript request is not assessed a filing fee, except as otherwise provided in the rule.

Except as otherwise set forth in this rule, no filing fee shall be assessed to a litigant filing a request for transcript.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Divorce hearing officer fees

If the appointment is withdrawn after it is made, the party who paid the fees may petition for their return, less costs and fees already incurred.

In any action where the appointment of the divorce hearing officer is withdrawn after the appointment has been made by the court, the party who paid the fees may petition the court for return of the fees, less any costs or fees already incurred.

INFO

Fees may be waived if the Magisterial District Judge determines that the requestor is indigent.

Fees may be waived if the Magisterial District Judge determines that the requestor is indigent.

INFO

Applies to

Public record access request

No fee is charged for redaction.

5. Redaction- none;