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Prothonotary

Show All Answers

1. Where is the Prothonotary's Office located?

On the second floor of the Lancaster County Courthouse:
50 N. Duke St.
Lancaster, PA 17602

2. Do you have forms for all the filings?

No, not all forms are available. See the Prothonotary Forms page for a list of forms in PDF format available for download. There are forms in the Self-Help Center, too. That is located on the first floor of the courthouse.

3. Can you help me fill out my forms?

No. Please contact a private attorney, the Lawyer Referral Services or go to the Law Library on the 4th floor of the Courthouse to seek assistance.

4. How do I appeal a magisterial district judge judgment for money?

Individuals and businesses have 30 days from the date the judgment is entered to file an appeal. If the required filing fee cannot be paid, and financial requirements are met, seek legal counsel through MidPenn Legal Services. Only the initial form with basic instructions is provided.

Once the appeal is filed, seek legal counsel.

5. How do I appeal a magisterial district judge judgment for a landlord / tenant judgment for possession?

Individuals have ten days from the date the judgment is entered to file an appeal if they wish to stay in the property. A bond is required at the time of filing the appeal, which consists of the money amount in arrears or three months rent, whichever is less. A low income tenant filing an appeal will need to determine what type of tenant they are (A, B, C, or D) at the time of filing the appeal to determine what, if any, bond needs to be paid.

6. How do I appeal a license suspension or registration suspension?

Individuals have 30 days from the date of the letter from PennDot to appeal. The Prothonotary’s Office does not have forms for this appeal. Consult legal counsel or research the Pennsylvania rules of civil procedures in the law library which is located on the fourth floor of the new courthouse.

7. How do I file for custody / visitation?

If the required filing fee cannot be paid and financial requirements are met, contact MidPenn Legal Services. The custody clinic will assist the individual through setting up the first custody conference. Then legal counsel should be sought through your attorney or lawyer referral service.

8. How do I file for divorce or annulment?

Annulments are treated the same as a divorce. If financial requirements are met, contact MidPenn Legal Services. The divorce project through MidPenn will file the divorce for the individual. Otherwise, seek legal counsel through your attorney or lawyer referral service, or research the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure in the law library, located on the fourth floor of the new courthouse.

9. How do I get a satisfied lien off of my credit report?

Obtain a copy of the satisfaction from our office and take it to the reporting agency. Check with the reporting agency as to what type of identification you will need.

10. How do I get a lien off of my credit report that is not mine?

Obtain a copy of the lien from our office and take it to the reporting agency, along with any documentation that they may require to prove that you are not that person.

11. What types of liens and judgments are filed in the Prothonotary's Office?

See the Liens & Judgements List.

12. How do I resume my maiden name after a divorce?

A) If the name change is being done as a result of a divorce in Lancaster County, please bring your birth certificate with your maiden name appearing on it, along with cash, check or money order for $22.50. There is an Election to Resume Maiden Name form available on the Prothonotary Forms page that can be prepared ahead of time.

B) If the name change is being done as a result of a divorce that has been FINALIZED outside of Lancaster County, please bring your birth certificate with your maiden name appearing on it, a certified copy of your divorce decree from the issuing county/parish, and cash, check or money order for $45.75. Our staff will prepare the form here.

13. How do I change my child's last name?

If the biological father’s name is not on the birth certificate and he is marrying the mother, and the child has not started school, you can complete the information on the back of the birth certificate and send it to the Office of Vital Statistics Division of Vital Records:
101 S. Mercer St.
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16101


They can be called at 724-656-3100. In all other circumstances, you must petition the court.

14. How do I change my name?

To change your name, you must petition the court. Contact legal counsel or research the Pennsylvania rules of civil procedure in the law library, located on the fourth floor of the new courthouse.

15. How do I apply for a motor vehicle registration for an abandoned vehicle?

Prepare a petition and order to be presented to court. Contact legal counsel. Cost is listed on our fee bill as “petition for return of property.” For more detailed information, research the Pennsylvania rules of civil procedure in the law library, located on the fourth floor of the new courthouse.

16. How do I apply for U.S. citizenship?

Individuals may come into the office for the application for citizenship. The fee is $675.00, which you must send along with the application to INS. All other forms may be obtained by calling INS at 800-870-3676, they may be downloaded. Naturalization ceremonies are scheduled five times a year at the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas.

17. How do I get a passport?

See the Passport Information for further answers.

18. Where do I send motions and petitions for the business judge?

Motions and petitions are filed in the Prothonotary's Office and forwarded to the business judge. Once the order for rule is signed, they are conformed by our staff and sent to the attorney that filed it. Unusual motions and petitions or special circumstances should be presented in person to the business judge (call to make an appointment).

19. Are motions to compel discovery filed in the Prothonotary's Office?

No. Local Rule 208.3(c) should be followed.

20. How do I find an attorney for my case?

Contact the Lancaster County Bar Association at 717-393-0737.

21. What do I do if I want to represent myself in a case?

You may do this by visiting the Self-Help Center, located on the first floor of the courthouse. You may also visit the Law Library, located on the 4th floor of the courthouse.

22. What is the difference between a notice to resume prior surname after a divorce and an official name change?

A notice to resume prior surname can be completed at the Prothonotary's Office after a divorce complaint is entered in our office. This must be completed in the county where the divorce action is filed.


An official name change must follow the Pennsylvania rules of civil procedure. There is no form for this. You must research what needs to be filed or contact an attorney.

23. What are your hours?

Office Hours M-F: 8:30am to 5:00pm
Filing Hours M-F: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Passport Hours M-F: 8:30am to 4:00pm

24. Where can I get a copy of a transcript from a hearing?

You can get a copy of a transcript from the Court Reporters located on the Mezzanine level of the historic courthouse.

25. Where can I file for guardianship?

This can be done by speaking with the Register of Wills Office.

26. How do I withdrawal/drop my PFA?

If the PFA has been finalized all fees must be paid (usually imposed on the Defendant), a copy of the receipt needs to be taken to the Court Administration Office to request a hearing be scheduled to ask for the case to be withdrawn/dropped.

If the PFA has not been finalized, show up at your next scheduled hearing date and ask the judge for it to be withdrawn/dropped. She/he will review your case and make a decision.

27. How do I file a PFA?

You may file a PFA through a private attorney, DVLC or Bail Administration. The process can take all day and an ex parte hearing will be held at 3pm with one of our judges.

28. Where can I get information about a Children & Youth case?

You may only get information from Children and Youth, as these documents contain information related to minors and they are not available to the public. They are filed either in the Clerk of Courts Office (Criminal) or Orphan’s Court, in either case these offices will not disclose any information or disseminate any copies of pleadings or orders without court approval. Children and Youth Agency may provide information and copies to those related to the action.

29. What is the date for my naturalization ceremony?

You may check our Court Calendar or contact your Naturalization Officer to confirm what date you are scheduled for.

30. How do I get a duplicate of my naturalization certificate?

Please contact the U.S. Cititzenship & Immigration Services.

31. Why am I receiving a Criminal Judgment?

Please read the 'Frequently Asked Questions' which is included in the mailing of each Criminal Judgment. Also, at the bottom of are phone numbers for the Collections Enforcement Unit and the Clerk of Courts

32. How long until I receive my order from a custody conference/hearing?

You can expect to receive your order about 20 days from the date of your conference or hearing.

33. I did not receive notice or was not served with custody paperwork, but I received an order, what do I do next?

If you are unsure of what to do next, you should seek an attorney for assistant, as our office is unable to answer that because it is a legal question.

34. How do I know when my divorce has been finalized?

You know your divorce has been finalized when a divorce decree has been signed by a judge. Copies are then sent out in the mail to all parties involved. Alternatively, you may track the status of your case on the Civil Court Records Search.

35. What do I need to get a certified copy of my divorce decree?

For a certified copy of your divorce decree, we need the case number and the names of both parties involved. The case number can be found online using the Civil Court Records Search and searching by the last name. If the divorce occurred before 1996, the search will likely have to take place using the Index Book Search for the case number. Please refer to the most current Prothonotary Fee Bill for the current pricing. If using the mail system for a certified copy, we need a short letter stating what you are requesting, a check for the decree, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the receipt and certified copy to be sent back.

36. Where do I register my notary?

Everything can be done in the Recorder of Deeds Office, located at 150 North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA.

37. How can I follow the status of my case?

You may follow your case status by going to our Civil Court Records Search and searching for your case by using the case number or searching your name.

38. How can I e-file?

Electronic filing for Lancaster County Prothonotary Office is provided by: File & ServeXpress (formally known as LexisNexis).