• Call the Prothonotary at 717-337-9834 or consult the Adams County website at https://adamscountypa.gov/ for the proper FILING FEE.
  • File the Original of the CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FORM.
  • File the Original and ALL Copies of the ENTRY OF APPEARANCE. The Prothonotary will keep the Original and give you back all of the Copies at this time.
  • File the Original and ALL Copies of the ORDER OF COURT.
  • File the Original and ALL Copies of the PETITION and PETITIONER'S VERIFICATION. The Prothonotary will keep the Originals and give you back all of the Copies at this time.
  • File the ENVELOPES that you made.

4. After you have filed your documents with the Prothonotary, you must wait until the Prothonotary gets the signed ORDER OF COURT back from the Judge.

  • Pick up the signed copies of the ORDER OF COURT in the Prothonotary's Office after the Judge signs the Order and it is sent back to the Prothonotary.
  • You may call the Prothonotary at 717-337-9834 to find out if the Prothonotary has received the Order back from the Judge.

5. A copy of the ENTRY OF APPEARANCE, the PETITION TO MODIFY CUSTODY, the PETITIONER'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION, and a copy of the signed ORDER OF COURT must then be served on each other party. Instructions on serving these documents are below.

H. Instructions for serving the ENTRY OF APPEARANCE, ORDER OF COURT, PETITION TO MODIFY CUSTODY, PETITIONER'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION, and blank RESPONDENT'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION.

1. How do you SERVE documents (i.e. give them to the other parties)?

  • You will need to have all parties served with a copy of ALL papers that you filed with the Prothonotary's Office, including the ENTRY OF APPEARANCE, ORDER OF COURT, PETITION TO MODIFY CUSTODY, and PETITIONER'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION. You must also serve a blank RESPONDENT'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION on all parties. You must prove the other person received these papers. You may use any method in this packet, but you must be able to provide the Court with the correct documentation regarding the method you used.
  • ATTENTION: YOU MUST SERVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS IN THIS CASE EXCEPT FOR THE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FORM. Neither the Court not the Prothonotary’s Office will serve any documents