Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Filing Fees and Waivers

Applies to

Civil contempt petition

The filing fee must be paid by cash, certified check, or money order payable to the Dauphin County Prothonotary, and a petitioner unable to afford it may file an IFP petition and affidavit.

See the Prothonotary’s Fee Schedule for the amount of the filing fee. The filing fee is payable by cash, certified check or money order made payable to the Dauphin County Prothonotary. If you do not think that you can afford to pay the filing fee, you may file a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP) and an Affidavit (see Self Help Center In Forma Pauperis forms and instructions for family law cases).

Fee

$150

Applies to

Custody action

A $150 administrative fee is due to the Prothonotary simultaneously with the filing of a custody action, in addition to the assessed complaint filing fees.

In addition to the filing fees assessed for the filing of complaints, an additional administrative fee in the amount of $150.00 shall be paid to the Prothonotary simultaneously with the filing of the Custody action.

Fee

150

Applies to

Agreement filed contemporaneously with custody complaint

A $150.00 administrative fee must be paid to the Prothonotary for an agreement filed contemporaneously with a custody complaint.

An administrative fee of $150.00 shall be paid to the Prothonotary in accordance with Rule 1915.3 (a) or (b).

Applies to

Modification of an existing custody order

No Prothonotary administrative fee is due for an agreed modification of an existing custody order when no modification petition is filed.

There shall be no administrative fee paid to the Prothonotary for the modification of an existing custody order when no petition for modification of a custody order has been filed.

Fee

50

Applies to

Summary ard admission

When accepting an applicant into summary ARD, the issuing authority charges a fee of up to $50.00, court costs, and any restitution.

Upon accepting an applicant into summary ARD, issuing authority will charge a fee of up to $50.00, court costs, and any restitution.

Applies to

Court cost waiver application

Court costs may be waived or reduced for an indigent defendant only upon proof of indigence, and a written waiver application must be filed as a public record.

Court costs may be waived or reduced for indigent defendants only upon proof of indigence. Any defendant seeking waiver of court costs must make written application and such application shall be a public record.

Applies to

Legal papers

Applicable filing fees for electronically filed legal papers must be paid electronically to the Clerk of Courts at the same time as filing.

D. Applicable filing fees for the electronically filed legal papers shall be paid electronically to the Clerk of Courts simultaneously with the filing.

Applies to

Transcript request

Except for the Commonwealth, county or court offices and their subdivisions, the requesting party and other applicable parties must make a non-refundable 95% estimated-cost deposit within seven calendar days after notification, using cash, money order, certified check, or law firm check payable to the County of Dauphin.

(D) (2) The requesting party (attorney or self-represented party) and any other part(ies) (attorney or self-represented party) other than the Commonwealth, a County or Court office or a subdivision thereof shall make a non-refundable deposit in the amount of 95% of the estimated cost of the transcript. The deposit shall be paid by cash, money order, certified check, or law firm check made payable to the County of Dauphin and delivered to the Court Administrator’s Office within seven (7) calendar days from the date the parties are notified.

The reduced-fee scale assigns 100 percent of the allocated fee at or above median income, 75 percent for 1–25 percent below median income, 50 percent for 26 percent below median income through above 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and $15 per hour below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Equal to or above median income 100% of allocated fee 1% - 25% below median income 75% of allocated fee 26% below median income - above 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines 50% of allocated fee Below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines $15 per hour

Fee

400

Applies to

Appeal

An appeal involving less than $5,000 in controversy requires repayment of $400 in Board of Arbitration member fees.

If the amount in controversy is less than $5,000.00 - $400.00.

Fee

500

Applies to

Appeal

An appeal involving at least $5,000 but less than $10,000 in controversy requires repayment of $500 in Board of Arbitration member fees.

If the amount in controversy is $5,000 or more, but less than$10,000.00 - $500.00.

Fee

600

Applies to

Appeal

An appeal involving at least $10,000 but less than $20,000 in controversy requires repayment of $600 in Board of Arbitration member fees.

If the amount in controversy is $10,000.00 or more, but less than $20,000.00 - $600.00.

Fee

700

Applies to

Appeal

An appeal involving at least $20,000 but less than $35,000 in controversy requires repayment of $700 in Board of Arbitration member fees.

If the amount in controversy is $20,000.00 or more, but less than $35,000.00 - $700.00.

Fee

800

Applies to

Appeal

An appeal involving $35,000 through $50,000 in controversy requires repayment of $800 in Board of Arbitration member fees.

If the amount in controversy is $35,000.00-$50,000.00 - $800.00

Applies to

Appeal

The appeal fee is calculated using the amount of the award rendered by the Board of Arbitration as the amount in controversy.

For purposes of determining the appeal fee, “amount in controversy” shall be defined as the amount of the award rendered by the Board of Arbitration.

Applies to

Appeal

A party appealing a Board of Arbitrators decision must repay the Board members' fees to the County, and those fees are nonrefundable and nonrecoverable by the appellant under any circumstances.

When an appeal is filed to a decision of the Board of Arbitrators, any party appealing shall repay to the County the fees of the members of the Board of Arbitration, which shall not thereafter be refundable to or recoverable by the said party under any circumstances, under the following schedule:

Fee

$125

Applies to

Divorce complaint

The plaintiff must pay a $125 administrative fee, plus any required Prothonotary filing fees, when filing a divorce complaint.

(1) DIVORCE COMPLAINT: The plaintiff shall pay a $125.00 administrative fee plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary at the time the divorce complaint is filed.

Parties requesting or benefiting from appointment of a Parenting Coordinator must pay the Parenting Coordinator under the stated fee schedule.

Parties who request the appointment of a Parenting Coordinator or who are identified by the Court as benefiting from the appointment of a Parenting Coordinator shall pay the Parenting Coordinator as follows:

Fee

$300

The Parenting Coordinator's fee may be up to $300 per hour.

Up to $300.00 an hour;

Absent good cause, each party must pay 50 percent of the hourly fee, which may be reallocated by the Parenting Coordinator or the Court.

Absent good cause, each party shall pay fifty (50) percent of the hourly fee which may be reallocated as deemed appropriate by the Parenting Coordinator or the Court.

Fee

150

Applies to

Petition for contempt

A Petition for Contempt must be filed with the Prothonotary with an administrative fee of $150.00.

(a) An original and one copy of a Petition for Contempt shall be filed with the Prothonotary together with the administrative fee of $150.00.

Fee

150

Applies to

Emergency petition for custody

A new case with an Emergency Petition for Custody requires an additional $150 administrative fee paid to the Prothonotary simultaneously with the Custody Complaint.

In addition to the filing fees assessed for the filing of Custody Complaints, an additional administrative fee in the amount of $150.00 shall be paid to the Prothonotary simultaneously with the filing of the Custody Complaint in accordance with Local Rule 1915.3.

Fee

150

Applies to

Petition for modification or contempt

A $150 administrative fee must be paid to the Prothonotary in an existing-case modification or contempt proceeding.

An administrative fee of $150.00 shall be paid to the Prothonotary in accordance with Local Rules 1915.3.1 or 1915.3.2.

Fee

75 $

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

When the Family Law Judge refers a matter to the Divorce Hearing Officer, the moving party must file an original and one copy of a Motion for Appointment of Hearing Officer with a $75.00 administrative fee, together with any other filing fee required by the Prothonotary.

(3) If the Family Law Judge refers the matter to the Divorce Hearing Officer, the moving party shall file an original and one copy of a Motion for Appointment of Hearing Officer with the Prothonotary together with the $75.00 administrative fee in accordance with Dauphin County Local Rule 1920.51 plus any other filing fee required by the Prothonotary.

Fee

$75

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

A party filing a Motion for Appointment of Hearing Officer after the Divorce Complaint must provide an original and one copy and pay a $75 administrative fee plus any additional discovery-related filing fee required by the Prothonotary.

A party may file an original and one copy of a Motion For Appointment of Hearing Officer with the Prothonotary together with the administrative fee of $75.00 plus any other filing fee required by the Prothonotary to address discovery at any point after the filing of the Divorce Complaint.

Fee

$75

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

When a Hearing Officer was previously appointed for pretrial or discovery matters, a $75 administrative fee plus any Prothonotary filing fee must be paid.

If a Hearing Officer was previously appointed because of pretrial or discovery matters, the administrative fee of $75.00 plus any filing fee required by the Prothonotary shall be paid to the Prothonotary.

Fee

$150

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

When no Hearing Officer has been previously appointed, a $150 administrative fee plus any Prothonotary filing fee must be paid.

If a Hearing Officer has not been previously appointed, an administrative fee of $150.00 plus any filing fee required by the Prothonotary shall be paid to the Prothonotary.

Fee

$75

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

A party filing a Motion for Appointment of Hearing Officer under Local Rule 1920.43 must pay a $75 administrative fee plus any required Prothonotary filing fees.

(a) The party filing the Motion for Appointment of Hearing Officer shall pay a $75.00 administrative fee plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary if proceeding under Dauphin County Local Rule 1920.43.

Fee

$150

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

When proceeding under Local Rule 1920.51 without a previously appointed Hearing Officer, the filing party must pay a $150 administrative fee plus any required Prothonotary filing fees.

(b) The filing party shall pay a $150.00 administrative fee plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary if proceeding under Dauphin County Local Rule 1920.51 and a Hearing Officer has not been previously appointed.

Fee

$75

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

When proceeding under Local Rule 1920.51 with a Hearing Officer previously appointed under Local Rule 1920.43, the filing party must pay a $75 administrative fee plus any required Prothonotary filing fees.

(c) The filing party shall pay a $75.00 administrative fee plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary if proceeding under Dauphin County Local Rule 1920.51 and a Hearing Officer was previously appointed under Dauphin County Local Rule 1920.43.

Fee

$150

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

A $150 administrative fee, plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary, applies when all raised issues are assigned to a Divorce Hearing Officer who was not previously appointed for pretrial or discovery matters.

I file this motion in accordance with Dauphin County Local Rule 1920.51. I request that all issues raised be decided by the Divorce Hearing Officer. I paid the $150.00 administrative fee plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary. The Divorce Hearing Officer was not previously appointed for pre-trial or discovery matters.

Fee

$75

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

A $75 administrative fee, plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary, applies when remaining issues are assigned to a Divorce Hearing Officer previously appointed for pretrial or discovery matters.

I file this motion in accordance with Dauphin County Local Rule 1920.51. I request that all remaining issues raised be decided by the Divorce Hearing Officer. I paid the $75.00 administrative fee plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary. The Divorce Hearing Officer was previously appointed for pre-trial or discovery matters.

Fee

$75

Applies to

Motion for appointment of hearing officer

A $75 administrative fee, plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary, applies when discovery, special relief, or other pretrial or post-divorce issues are assigned to the Divorce Hearing Officer, excluding exceptions to the Hearing Officer’s Report.

I file this motion in accordance with Dauphin County Local Rule 1920.43 and request that discovery, special relief matters, or other pre-trial or post-divorce issues excluding Exceptions to Hearing Officer’s Report be decided by the 1-1-22 ===== PAGE 2 ===== Divorce Hearing Officer. I paid the $75.00 administrative fee plus any filing fees required by the Prothonotary.

Applies to

Adoption reports and petitions

All filing fees must be paid when the filing is submitted.

All filing fees shall be paid at the time of filing.

Applies to

Legal papers

After receiving a Notice of Fee, the filing party must pay any required fee using the link in that notice and will then receive a Notice of Filing upon payment.

A filing party shall pay any required filing fee after receipt of the Notice of Fee by following the link in the Notice of Fee. Upon receipt of payment, the filing party will receive a Notice of Filing.

Fee

$2.5

Applies to

Original transcript

An original ordinary transcript costs $2.50 per page electronically, with a $0.25 per-sheet surcharge for the paper copy filed in the filing office.

(a) Ordinary transcript, $2.50 per page for electronic format with a $0.25 per sheet surcharge for paper copy filed in the filing office;

Fee

$3.5

Applies to

Expedited transcript

An original expedited transcript costs $3.50 per page electronically, with a $0.25 per-sheet surcharge for the paper copy filed in the filing office.

(b) Expedited transcript, $3.50 per page for electronic format with a $0.25 per sheet surcharge for paper copy filed in the filing office;

Fee

$4.5

Applies to

Daily transcript

An original daily transcript costs $4.50 per page electronically, with a $0.25 per-sheet surcharge for the paper copy filed in the filing office.

(c) Daily transcript, $4.50 per page for electronic format with a $0.25 per sheet surcharge for paper copy filed in the filing office;

Fee

$6.5

Applies to

Same day transcript

An original same-day transcript costs $6.50 per page electronically, with a $0.25 per-sheet surcharge for the paper copy filed in the filing office.

(d) Same Day delivery, $6.50 per page for electronic format with a with a $0.25 per sheet surcharge for paper copy filed in the filing office.

Fee

$1

Applies to

Secure electronic transcript feed

A secure electronic feed of translated, unedited courtroom notes delivered to the parties by Wi-Fi costs $1.00 per page.

(2) Secure electronic feed which instantaneously delivers the translated unedited notes from the court reporter in the courtroom proceeding to an electronic device via Wi-Fi to the parties, $1.00 per page.

Fee

$1

Applies to

Transcript

A judge may permit a $1.00 per-page surcharge in unusually complex litigation requiring substantial expansion of the court reporter’s dictionary.

(3) A surcharge in cases such as mass tort, medical malpractice, or other unusually complex litigation where there is a need for the court reporter to significantly expand their dictionary, when permitted by the judge, $1.00 per page.

Fee

$0.5

Applies to

Ordinary transcript copy

An electronic copy of an ordinary transcript costs $0.50 per page, with a $0.25 per-sheet surcharge when a paper copy is ordered.

(a) Ordinary transcript, $0.50 per page for electronic format with $0.25 per sheet surcharge for paper copy when ordered;

Fee

$0.75

Applies to

Expedited transcript copy

An electronic copy of an expedited transcript costs $0.75 per page, with a $0.25 per-sheet surcharge when a paper copy is ordered.

(b) Expedited transcript, $0.75 per page for electronic format with $0.25 per sheet surcharge for paper copy when ordered;

Fee

$1

Applies to

Daily transcript copy

An electronic copy of a daily transcript costs $1.00 per page, with a $0.25 per-sheet surcharge when a paper copy is ordered.

(c) Daily transcript, $1.00 per page for electronic format with a $0.25 per sheet surcharge for paper copy when ordered;

Fee

$1.25

Applies to

Same day transcript copy

An electronic copy of a same-day transcript costs $1.25 per page, with a $0.25 per-sheet surcharge when a paper copy is ordered.

(d) Same Day transcript, $1.25 per page for electronic format with $0.25 per sheet surcharge for paper copy when ordered.

Applies to

Transcript costs

Transcript-cost waivers are available through an Application to Waive Transcript Costs submitted with a Request for Transcript.

(1) An Application to Waive Transcript Costs shall be filed in the appropriate filing office (Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court and/or Domestic Relations) along with a Request for Transcript.

Applies to

Original transcript

When several ordering or filing parties are involved, the original filed-transcript cost is divided equally among them after accounting for waived costs, and each party receiving a copy remains subject to the copy rate.

When more than one party is to receive a copy of a transcript, or is required to file the transcript, the cost of the original transcript filed in the filing office shall be divided equally among the parties, taking into account any waived costs.

Fee

$0.5

Applies to

Previously filed transcript copy

A copy of a previously filed transcript must be requested by letter or email from the Court Administrator’s Office and costs $0.50 per page electronically, plus $0.25 per sheet if a paper copy is ordered.

A request for a copy of any transcript previously ordered, transcribed, and filed of record shall be made by letter or email to the Court Administrator’s Office and provided at $0.50 per page for electronic format with a $0.25 per sheet surcharge for a paper copy when ordered.

Payment errors must be reported to the Prothonotary’s Office as soon as possible and no later than 45 days after the payment date.

alert the Prothonotary’s Office of any payment errors as soon as possible and not later than forty-five (45) days of the payment date.

Applies to

Application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis

Any party may apply for leave to proceed in forma pauperis under Pa.R.C.P. No. 240 or the Protection From Abuse Act.

Any party may apply to the Court for leave to proceed in forma pauperis according to the procedure set forth in Pa.R.C.P. No. 240 or pursuant to the Protection From Abuse Act, 35 P.S.

Applies to

Public access record services

A Magisterial District Judge may require advance payment of estimated service costs at the judge’s discretion.

(d) Pre-payment of estimated costs for services may be required at the discretion of the Magisterial District Judge.

Applies to

Application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis

The Prothonotary must immediately grant an in forma pauperis application without an affidavit when qualifying counsel certifies the applicant’s indigence and pro bono or court-appointed representation.

As an alternative to requesting relief by the means referred to in Rule 240(1), where any applicant for leave to proceed in forma pauperis is represented by counsel who certifies on the application or by separate document that the applicant is indigent, and that such counsel is acting as Court-appointed counsel, or on behalf of a nonprofit legal services organization or Bar Association pro bono program providing free legal services to the applicant, then the Prothonotary shall forthwith grant the application without an accompanying affidavit.

Applies to

Application for relief from special or unusual expenses

Relief from special or unusual expenses requires an application under Pa.R.C.P. 240 even when the applicant qualifies for automatic in forma pauperis treatment under Rule 240(2).

Although otherwise eligible for automatic forma pauperis states under Rule 240(2), a party shall nonetheless make application as prescribed in Pa.R.C.P. 240 where relief is sought from payment of special or unusual expenses (that is, from costs not attributable to filing and service of process).

Applies to

Application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis

Parties in any civil action commenced in the minor judiciary may apply for leave to proceed in forma pauperis.

The right to apply for leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall likewise be available to parties in any civil action commenced before the minor Judiciary.

Applies to

Application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis

Rule 240 does not apply to divorce or annulment-of-marriage actions, which are governed by Pa.R.C.P. 1920.62.

The provisions of the Rule shall not apply to actions in divorce or annulment of marriage, such matters being governed by the provisions of Pa.R.C.P. 1920.62.

Applies to

Legal papers

A party granted In Forma Pauperis status is not required to pay filing fees to the Clerk of Courts.

E. A party who was granted In Forma Pauperis status shall not pay filing fees to the Clerk of Courts.

Original-transcript preparation and filing costs do not apply to the Commonwealth, a county or court office, or a subdivision of either.

(1) The costs payable by a requesting party, other than the Commonwealth, a County or Court office or a subdivision thereof, for the preparation and filing of the original transcript shall be as follows:

Applies to

Transcript copy

A party requesting an additional transcript copy is subject to the applicable transcript-copy fee schedule.

(4) If any party also requests a copy of the transcript, the cost for copies is as follows:

Applies to

E-filing fees

E-filing fees may be paid by Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit card.

The Prothonotary will accept the following credit cards for payment of all e-filing fees: Discover, MasterCard and Visa.

Applies to

Future filing

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

The Prothonotary will not accept advance deposits for payment of future filing.

The Prothonotary may charge a convenience fee in the amount set by the President Judge’s order.

The Prothonotary is authorized to charge a convenience fee, as set by Order of the President Judge.

Fee

$0.25

Applies to

Public access record copies

Magisterial District Judges may charge $0.25 per page for copies of official case records.

(a) Magisterial District Judges may charge a copy fee of $0.25 per page.

Fee

$5

Applies to

Public access record services

Magisterial District Judges may charge an additional $5.00 per hour for staff time.

(b) Magisterial District Judges may charge an additional hourly rate of $5.00 per hour for staff time.

Applies to

Mailed public access record copies

Magisterial District Judges may charge the postage costs incurred in mailing copies.

(c) Magisterial District Judges may charge for postage costs incurred in mailing out copies.

Applies to

Public access record services

Paid costs and fees for public-access record services are non-refundable.

(e) Costs and fees paid are non-refundable.

Applies to

Public access record services

A Magisterial District Judge may, at the judge’s discretion, waive costs and fees under Rule 104.

(f) Costs and fees under this rule may be waived at the discretion of the Magisterial District Judge.

Applies to

Public access record service fees

All costs and fees collected under Rule 104 must be remitted to the County of Dauphin.

(g) Costs and fees collected shall be remitted to the County of Dauphin.