Centre County Court of Common Pleas Filing Fees and Waivers

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Original service and writs

After electronic filing is accepted, the filing party must provide the Sheriff with the proper service fee for Original Service and Writs.

Once the electronic filing has been accepted, it shall be the responsibility of the filing party to provide the Sheriff with the proper service fee and the documents for Original Service and Writs.

CRITICAL

A party or counsel who received a fee waiver must inform the court of financial improvements that would enable the party to pay waived fees and costs.

A party or counsel receiving a waiver of fees and costs has a continuing obligation to inform the court of an improvement in the party's financial circumstances that would enable the party to pay any waived fees and costs.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The party ordering a transcript must pay the estimated cost in advance, with checks payable to County of Centre and delivered to the Court Administrator’s Office.

Upon receipt of a transcript request, the Court Reporter shall provide a written estimate of the cost of preparing the transcript in accordance with the fee schedule set forth in paragraph (G) of this Rule. The party ordering the transcript shall make full advanced payment of the estimated cost. All checks shall be made payable to “County of Centre”, and shall be delivered to the Court Administrator’s Office.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Filing fee

If the court denies the fee-waiver application, the party must pay the filing fee.

(3) If the court denies the application, the party shall pay the filing fee

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The completed transcript is released to the ordering party only after any balance above the estimate is paid.

The completed transcript shall be released to the party ordering the transcript upon payment of any balance owed above the estimated cost.

CRITICAL

Fee

3.5

Applies to

Expedited transcript

An expedited transcript in electronic format costs $3.50 per page.

- b. Expedited transcript - $3.50/page

CRITICAL

Fee

0.25

Applies to

Bound paper transcript

A bound paper transcript costs the applicable electronic-format rate plus a $0.25-per-page surcharge.

When the transcript is prepared in bound paper format, the costs shall be as shown above, related to electronic format, plus a surcharge of $0.25/page.

CRITICAL

Fee

4.5

Applies to

Daily transcript

A daily transcript in electronic format costs $4.50 per page.

- c. Daily transcript - $4.50/page

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The transcript requester must pay the full estimated cost in advance, with any check payable to County of Centre and delivered to the Court Administrator's Office.

The party ordering the transcript shall make full advanced payment of the estimated cost. All checks shall be made payable to "County of Centre" and shall be delivered to the Court Administrator's Office.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

No transcript fee is charged when the Commonwealth or one of its subdivisions requests the transcript.

If the Commonwealth, or a subdivision thereof, requests a transcript, there shall be no fee charged.

CRITICAL

Fee

6.5

Applies to

Same day delivery transcript

A same-day delivery transcript in electronic format costs $6.50 per page.

d. Same day delivery transcript - $6.50/page

CRITICAL

Applies to

Fee waiver application

A party seeking a waiver on the basis of lacking financial resources must submit an application and qualify through needs-based public assistance or the stated income and asset criteria.

(1) Without Financial Resources. A party seeking a waiver shall complete and submit an application so the court can determine whether the party is without financial resources to pay the fees and costs associated with the legal action. A party shall be deemed without financial resources if the party: - (i) Receives needs-based public assistance (including, but not limited to, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)); or - (ii) Meets the following income and asset requirement: - (I) gross income (i.e., before taxes and other deductions) that is 200% or less than the federal poverty guidelines for the party's household size; and (II) assets less than $10,000, excluding the party's home and one vehicle.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The completed transcript is released to the requester only after any balance above the estimate is paid.

The completed transcript shall be released to the party ordering the transcript upon payment of any balance owed above the estimated cost.

CRITICAL

If a party who received a waiver obtains a money judgment or settlement, the court must order the payer to pay the previously waived fees and costs to the filing office as taxed costs.

If the party receiving a waiver obtains a money judgment or settlement, the court shall order the party paying the judgment or settlement to pay the previously waived fees and costs to the filing office as part of the litigation's taxed costs.

CRITICAL

The court or its designee must review every application to determine immediate eligibility.

The court or an individual designated by the court shall review all applications to determine immediate eligibility.

CRITICAL

A party may not proceed while the fee remains unpaid unless the party appeals the denial or obtains court permission to proceed.

The party may not proceed in the action, so long as the fee remains unpaid, except that the party may appeal the denial or obtain permission from the court to proceed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Fee waiver application

A party seeking a waiver based on substantial financial hardship must submit an application for the court to assess the stated hardship factors.

(2) Substantial Financial Hardship. A party seeking a waiver shall complete and submit an application so the court can determine whether the party will suffer a substantial financial hardship, which means the party is or will be unable to fully meet their basic human needs or obligations including, but not limited to, nutrition, housing, utilities, health, transportation, care of dependents, or other areas of essential need, by paying the fees and costs associated with the legal action based upon: - (i) the party's gross income, assets, and expenses; - (ii) the number of minor children or adult children, who are incapable of self-support due to a physical or mental disability, that the party is supporting, including a child support obligation; - (iii) employment history; - (iv) other available financial resources, including resources from individuals who have a duty of support to the party; and - (v) other factors affecting the party's income, assets, or expenses.

CRITICAL

Taxed costs for waived fees and costs may never be paid to the party who received the waiver.

Under no circumstances shall taxed costs for the waived fees and costs be paid to the party who has received a waiver.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Legal action and fee waiver application

The filing office must docket the action and application or praecipe without requiring payment of the filing fee at that time.

(2) The filing office shall docket the legal action and the application or praecipe without the party paying the filing fee.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The party ordering a transcript must pay the estimated preparation cost in advance; checks must be payable to County of Centre and delivered to the Court Administrator’s Office.

The party ordering the transcript shall make full advanced payment of the estimated cost. All checks shall be made payable to “County of Centre”, and shall be delivered to the Court Administrator’s Office.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

Unless waived, transcript charges are $2.50 per page for ordinary or electronic transcripts and $2.75 for bound paper transcripts; the Commonwealth rates are $2.00 and $2.25, respectively.

The requesting party, unless waived, shall pay $2.50 per page for ordinary and electronic transcripts and $2.75 per page for a bound paper form transcript. The Commonwealth shall pay $2.00 and $2.25, respectively, per page;

CRITICAL

If a party cannot pay the applicable fees and costs, the payee must provide information about seeking a waiver.

(b) Information. If a party is unable to pay the initial filing fee and such other fees and costs associated with a legal action, the payee shall provide the party with information about seeking a waiver of fees and costs pursuant to this rule.

CRITICAL

Upon counsel’s praecipe under subdivision (c)(3), the party is deemed to have received a waiver without further court action.

Upon praecipe of counsel pursuant to subdivision (c)(3), a party shall be deemed to have received a waiver without further action of the court.

CRITICAL

The court must grant an eligible party’s waiver application without a hearing.

If a party is deemed eligible for a waiver, the court shall grant the application without a hearing.

CRITICAL

Fee

2.5

Applies to

Ordinary transcript

An ordinary transcript in electronic format costs $2.50 per page.

- a. Ordinary transcript - $2.50/page

WARNING

The court may vacate a fee-waiver order if the application or supplemental information was materially inaccurate or the party can pay the fees and costs.

The court may vacate its order granting an application if the court later finds that the application or supplemental information was materially inaccurate or the party is able to pay the fees and costs.

WARNING

Applies to

Transcript

The stated transcript fees are the maximum costs that may be charged to litigants or the public.

The fees set forth herein are the maximum costs that may be charged to litigants or the public.

WARNING

Applies to

Transcript

The trial judge may impose a reasonable transcript surcharge in unusually complex cases.

The trial judge may impose a reasonable surcharge in unusually complex cases.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Printed document

The Court is not required to print electronically filed documents, and a fee is charged for documents over 25 pages that the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts prints.

The Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts, Courts or Court Administrator shall not be obligated to print documents that are filed electronically. A fee will be charged for any documents exceeding 25 pages which need to be printed by the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts, including a hard copy of any pleadings.

WARNING

Applies to

Fee waiver

The waiver continues throughout the litigation and appeals unless its duration is limited or a later order modifies or vacates it.

continue throughout the litigation of the legal action, including any appeals, unless the duration of the waiver is specifically limited in the order granting the waiver or the order is modified or vacated by a subsequent order.

WARNING

Fee

0.75

Applies to

Transcript copy

A party requesting a transcript copy owes $0.75 per page for a bound paper copy unless waived.

- (5) Any party requesting a copy of a transcript, unless waived, shall pay $0.75 per page in bound paper form, and $0.50 per page in electronic format. The Commonwealth shall pay $0.50 and $0.25, respectively, per page;

WARNING

Applies to

Transcript

The court must approve the request and waive transcript costs for a party alleging inability to pay when the stated transcript and fee-waiver conditions are met.

(i) If a party requests a transcript but cannot pay for the transcript because of alleged inability to pay, the court shall approve the request and waive the transcript costs if: - (1) The request is for an ordinary transcript and the matter is under appeal, or a transcript is necessary to advance the litigation; and - (2) The party has obtained a waiver pursuant to Pa.R.J.A. 1990.

WARNING

Applies to

Transcript

The listed transcript fees are maximum costs that may be charged to litigants or the public.

(h) The fees set forth herein are the maximum costs that may be charged to litigants or the public.

WARNING

Fee

3.5

Applies to

Expedited transcript

A requesting party owes $3.50 per page for an expedited electronic transcript unless waived.

- (2) The requesting party, unless waived, shall pay $3.50 per page for expedited transcripts in electronic format and $3.75 per page in bound paper form. The Commonwealth shall pay $3.00 and $3.25, respectively, per page;

WARNING

Fee

0.5

Applies to

Transcript

A $0.50-per-page surcharge applies to transcripts involving specified litigation if the presiding judge orders it.

- (6) If the transcript involves a mass tort, medical malpractice, or unusually complex litigation, a surcharge of $0.50 per page shall be added to the fees set forth herein, upon Order of the presiding Judge.

WARNINGCivil cases

The Prothonotary will not accept advance deposits for future filing fees.

The Prothonotary will not accept advance deposit on account of future filing fees.

WARNING

The court may deny a waiver application without argument or a hearing.

The court may deny an application without argument or a hearing.

WARNING

Applies to

Fee waiver

A court may order a party to re-apply for a waiver on the basis of subdivision (c)(1) or (c)(2) and modify or vacate an existing waiver.

A court may order a party to re-apply for a waiver on the basis of subdivision (c)(1) or (c)(2) and modify or vacate an existing waiver.

WARNING

Fee

6.5

Applies to

Same day transcript

A requesting party owes $6.50 per page for a same-day electronic transcript unless waived.

- (4) The requesting party, unless waived, shall pay $6.50 per page for same day delivery in electronic format and $6.75 per page in bound paper form. The Commonwealth shall pay $6.00 and $6.25, respectively, per page;

WARNING

If the court cannot determine eligibility solely on the application, then the court may direct the party to submit supplemental information to complete or substantiate the application.

If the court cannot determine eligibility solely on the application, then the court may direct the party to submit supplemental information to complete or substantiate the application.

WARNING

Applies to

Transcript

The court may waive specified transcript costs at its discretion for qualifying parties upon good cause shown.

- (j) Transcript costs for ordinary transcripts in matters that are not subject to an appeal, where the transcript is not necessary to advance the litigation, or for expedited transcripts may be waived at the court's discretion for parties who qualify for a waiver of fees and costs pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 1990 under subdivision (B) and upon good cause shown.

WARNING

Fees and costs already paid will not be refunded if the party later applies to waive them.

If a party commences an action and later files an application or praecipe to waive fees and costs, the filing office shall not refund the fees and costs previously paid.

WARNING

Applies to

Fee waiver

Subject to subdivision (h)(1), a waiver obtained under subdivision (c)(3) continues through the litigation even if counsel withdraws.

Subject to subdivision (h)(1), a waiver obtained on the basis of subdivision (c)(3) shall continue throughout the litigation of the legal action regardless of whether counsel withdraws.

WARNING

The court may reinstate the legal action upon a showing of good cause.

The court may reinstate the legal action for good cause shown.

WARNING

Fee

4.5

Applies to

Daily transcript

A requesting party owes $4.50 per page for a daily electronic transcript unless waived.

- (3) The requesting party, unless waived, shall pay $4.50 per page for daily transcripts in electronic format and $4.75 per page in bound paper form. The Commonwealth shall pay $4.00 and $4.25, respectively, per page;

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Filing fee

Filing fees may be paid by the listed credit and debit cards, and the filer is responsible for any convenience fee.

The Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts will accept for payment of filing fees the following credit and debit cards: American Express, Discover, Master Card and Visa. Any convenience fee charged will be the responsibility of the filer.

INFO

The court may hold an ex parte record hearing if the application has arguable merit or the court seeks further information.

The court may hold an ex parte record hearing if the application is of arguable merit or the court wishes to solicit further information.

INFO

Applies to

Transcript

If the estimate exceeds the actual transcript cost, the Court Administrator must refund the difference to the requester.

In the event the estimated cost exceeds the actual cost, the Court Administrator shall refund the difference to the requesting party.

INFO

Applies to

Initial filing fee and associated fees and costs

The waiver procedure applies, to the extent authorized by procedural rule, to the specified fees, costs, and security for commencing a legal action.

(a) Scope. To the extent authorized by procedural rule, this rule shall govern the procedure for waiving the initial filing fee and such other fees and costs associated with a legal action: - (1) Imposed or authorized by an Act of Assembly or general rule, and payable to a court, filing office, or public officer or employee; or - (2) Required for the posting of bond or other security for costs as a condition for commencing a legal action.