3. File the CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FORM, ENTRY OF APPEARANCE, the ORDER OF COURT, the COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY, the PLAINTIFF'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION, and the ENVELOPES with the Prothonotary. Pay the proper FILING FEE.

  • 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 COMPLAINT and PLAINTIFF'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 COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY, the PLAINTIFF'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION, the blank DEFENDANT'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION, and a copy of the signed ORDER OF COURT must then be served on each Defendant. Instructions on serving these documents are below.

G. Instructions for serving the ENTRY OF APPEARANCE, ORDER OF COURT, COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY, PLAINTIFF'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION, and blank DEFENDANT'S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION.

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

  • i. 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, COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY, and PLAINTIFF’S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION. You must also serve a blank DEFENDANT’S CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION on all parties. You must prove that the other person received these papers. You

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