1Amending Titles 16 (Counties) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial
2Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by:

3--In Title 16:

4In general provisions:

5In salaries:

6providing for counties of the third class, 
7for counties of the fourth class, for counties of 
8the fifth class, for counties of the sixth class, 
9counties of the seventh class, for counties of 
10the eighth class, for counties of the second 
11class, for recorder of deeds, for register of 
12wills, for court personnel and salaries, for 
13power of the county commissioners to fix salaries 
14of county officers, for multiple officeholders 
15and salaries and for salary of controller, 
16recorder of deeds and clerk of courts in counties 
17of the third class.

18In fees:

19providing for Orphans' Court in fifth through
20eighth class counties, for Orphans' Court in
21second through eighth class counties, for 
22additional fee for initiation in second class 
23counties, for prothonotaries and civil judicial 
24records offices in second class counties, for
25establishment and modification of fees in second
26class counties, for additional fee for initiation
27in second class counties, for payment required,
28for County Records Improvement Fund and for clerk

1of courts or director of criminal judicial
2records fee.

3In prothonotary or director fees:

4providing for construction of terms, for fees
5in counties of the second class A, third class,
6fourth class, fifth class, sixth class, seventh
7class and eighth class, and in home rule
8counties, for increasing existing fees, for
9automation fee for prothonotary's office or civil
10judicial records office or consolidated judicial
11records office and for similar service, payment
12in advance and tax.

13In fees for Municipal Court of Philadelphia:

14providing for fee schedule, for fees for
15similar service and for fees required before a
16service is performed.

17In fees in second class A counties:

18providing for fees charged and collected and 
19for similar service, payment in advance and tax.

20In reimbursement, providing for county court
21reimbursement.

22--In Title 42:

23In general provisions, further providing for
24definitions.

25In general structure and powers, further providing
26for oaths and acknowledgments.

27In community and municipal courts:

28In community courts, further providing for lien
29of judgments.

30In Pittsburgh Magistrates Court, further
31providing for lien of judgment.

32In traffic courts, further providing for signatures
33and dockets.

34In magisterial district judges, further providing for
35lien of judgment.

36In governance of the system, further providing for
37personnel of the system and for establishment of fees and 
38charges.

39In Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts:

40further providing for availability of criminal 
41charge information in child custody proceedings; and

42providing for county-level prothonotaries, clerks
43of the courts, clerks of orphans' court divisions and
44selected deputies.

45In representation of litigants, further providing for 
46letters of attorney.

47Providing for judicial records office.

48In selection and retention of judicial officers,
49further providing for certification of successful 
50completion of course of training.

51In facilities and supplies, further providing for
 

1county judicial center or courthouse and for deposits 
2into account.

3In dockets, indices and other records:

4In establishment, maintenance and effect of
5judicial records:

6further providing for effect of records as
7notice, for effect of judgments and orders as
8liens, for Federal judgments as liens and for
9enforcement of foreign judgments.

10In disposition of obsolete records, further
11providing for transfer of custody to local museum
12upon application.

13In court interpreters:

14In court interpreters for persons with limited
15English proficiency, further providing for duties of
16Court Administrator.

17In court interpreters for persons who are deaf,
18further providing for duties of Court Administrator.

19In juries and jurors, further providing for expenses
20of investigating grand juries and trials resulting
21therefrom.

22In bonds and recognizances:

23further providing for definitions, for
24registration and licensure required, for suspension
25or revocation of license and for statements by
26fidelity or surety companies.

27In rules of evidence, further providing for proof of
28official records and for retention of records.

29In juvenile matters, further providing for subpoena
30and for ordering foreign supervision.

31In prisoner litigation, further providing for
32prisoner filing fees.

33In judgments and other liens:

34In general provisions, further providing for duty
35of judgment creditor to enter satisfaction.

36In exemptions from execution, further providing
37for personal earnings exempt from process.

38In priority of liens, further providing for time
39from which liens have priority and for endorsement of
40time.

41In enforcement of judgments, further providing
42for judicial sale as affecting lien of mortgage.

43In particular rights and immunities, further
44providing for civil rights violations.

45In commencement of proceedings, further providing for
46indictment and information.

47In sentencing, further providing for collection of
48restitution, reparation, fees, costs, fines and
49penalties.

50--Making repeals.

1Under Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and its
2establishment of the Unified Judicial System and consistent with
3the authority of the General Assembly regarding expenditure of
4Commonwealth funds under Article III, Section 24 of the
5Constitution of Pennsylvania and while otherwise expressly
6reserving its appropriation and other legislative authority as
7to the funding of the Unified Judicial System, it is the intent
8of the General Assembly to facilitate the administration of the
9Unified Judicial System by providing for the inclusion of
10designated county prothonotaries, clerks of the courts and
11clerks of orphans' court divisions and selected deputies within
12the Unified Judicial System and for their compensation by the
13Commonwealth.

14The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
15hereby enacts as follows:

16Section 1. Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Pennsylvania
17Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding subchapters to read:

18SUBCHAPTER C

19SALARIES

20Sec.

211141. Counties of the third class.

221142. Counties of the fourth class.

231143. Counties of the fifth class.

241144. Counties of the sixth class.

251145. Counties of the seventh class.

261146. Counties of the eighth class.

271147. Counties of the second class.

281148. Recorder of deeds.

291149. Register of wills.

301150. Court personnel and salaries.

11151. Power of the county commissioners to fix salaries of
2county officers.

31152. Multiple officeholders and salaries.

41153. Salary of controller, recorder of deeds and clerk of
5courts in counties of third class.

6§ 1141. Counties of the third class.

7(a) County officers.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
8the annual salaries of the following county officers of counties
9of the third class shall be as follows:

10(1) The sheriff, $12,480.

11(2) The coroner, $9,120.

12(3) The prothonotary, $11,520.

13(4) The clerk of the courts, $11,520.

14(5) The register of wills and ex officio clerk of the
15orphans' court, $8,760.

16(6) The recorder of deeds, $11,520.

17(7) The county treasurer, $10,080.

18(8) The county controller, $12,600.

19(9) A county commissioner, $13,500.

20(10) A jury commissioner, $1,680.

21(11) The district attorney, $13,500.

22(b) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office
23subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
241905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the
25court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected
26deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
27the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

28§ 1142. Counties of the fourth class.

29(a) County officers.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
30the annual salaries of the following county officers of counties

1of the fourth class shall be as follows:

2(1) The district attorney, $12,000.

3(2) The sheriff, $11,400.

4(3) The prothonotary, $11,160.

5(4) The clerk of courts, $11,160.

6(5) The clerk of the orphans' court, other than the
7register of wills acting as ex officio of orphans' court,
8$11,160.

9(6) The register of wills and ex officio of the orphans'
10court, $8,760.

11(7) The recorder of deeds, $11,160.

12(8) The county treasurer, $9,840.

13(9) A county commissioner, $12,000.

14(10) The coroner, $8,400.

15(11) A jury commissioner, $1,130.

16(12) The county controller, where the office exists or
17may be created, $11,160.

18(b) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office
19subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
201905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the
21court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected
22deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
23the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

24§ 1143. Counties of the fifth class.

25(a) County officers.--Except as provided in subsection (d),
26the annual salaries of the following county officers of counties
27of the fifth class shall be as follows:

28(1) The sheriff, $9,600.

29(2) The county comptroller, where the office exists,
30$9,600.

1(3) The coroner, $5,400.

2(4) The prothonotary, $9,600.

3(5) The clerk of quarter sessions and oyer and terminer,
4$9,600.

5(6) The clerk of the orphans' court, $9,600.

6(7) The register of wills, $9,600.

7(8) The recorder of deeds, $9,600.

8(b) Holding two or more offices.--If an officer under
9subsection (a) holds two or more offices under subsection (a),
10the officer shall receive $9,600.

11(c) Other county officers.--Except as provided in subsection 
12(d), the annual salaries of the following county officers of 
13counties of the fifth class shall be as follows:

14(1) A county commissioner, $10,200.

15(2) The county treasurer, $9,600.

16(3) A jury commissioner, $900.

17(4) The district attorney, $10,200.

18(d) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office
19subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
201905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the
21court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected
22deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
23the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

24§ 1144. Counties of the sixth class.

25(a) County officers.--Except as provided in subsection (d),
26the annual salaries of the following county officers of counties
27of the sixth class shall be as follows:

28(1) The clerk of the court of quarter sessions, $8,400.

29(2) The treasurer, $8,160.

30(3) The controller, $8,400.

1(4) The clerk of oyer and terminer, $1,100.

2(5) A clerk of the orphans' court, other than the
3register of wills acting as ex officio of orphans' court,
4$7,200.

5(6) The prothonotary, $8,400.

6(7) The recorder of deeds, $8,400.

7(8) The register of wills, $7,200.

8(b) Holding two or more offices.--If an officer under
9subsection (a) holds two or more offices under subsection (a),
10the officer shall receive the highest salary fixed for any of
11the offices and the additional salary of $750.

12(c) Other county officers.--Except as provided in subsection 
13(d), the annual salaries of the following county officers of 
14counties of the sixth class shall be as follows:

15(1) The sheriff, $8,400.

16(2) A county commissioner, $9,350.

17(3) The district attorney, $9,450.

18(4) A jury commissioner shall receive $15 for each day
19necessarily employed in the discharge of the jury
20commissioner's duties. The compensation shall be paid from
21the county treasury in the same manner as the salary or
22compensation of other county officers and employees.

23(5) A county auditor shall receive $20 per six hours of
24work in the discharge of the auditor's duties, together with
2510¢ per mile for travel from and to the auditor's home once
26per day when employed as an auditor.

27(6) The fees to be received by the coroner of each
28county of the sixth class shall be as follows:

29(i) viewing a dead body, $18;

30(ii) summoning and qualifying inquest, drawing and

1returning an inquisition, $9.50;

2(iii) summoning and qualifying a witness, $3, to be
3paid out of the goods, chattels, lands or tenements of
4the slayer in a case of murder or manslaughter; and

5(iv) executing process or a writ, the same fees as
6allowed to the sheriff and the same mileage.

7In a case of murder or manslaughter, a fee under this 
8paragraph shall be paid out of the goods, chattels, lands or
9tenements of the slayer, if the slayer has goods, chattels,
10lands or tenements. If not, the county shall bear the cost of
11the fee together with mileage at the rate of 10¢ per mile
12traveled to and from the court house and the place of viewing
13the body.

14(d) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office
15subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
161905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the
17court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected
18deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
19the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

20§ 1145. Counties of the seventh class.

21(a) County officers.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
22the annual salaries of the following county officers of counties
23of the seventh class shall be as follows:

24(1) The sheriff, $6,240.

25(2) The district attorney, $6,500.

26(3) The annual salary of a county commissioner shall be
27$6,000.

28(4) A jury commissioner shall receive $15 for each day
29necessarily employed in the discharge of the commissioner's
30duties. The compensation shall be paid from the county

1treasury in the same manner as the salary or compensation of
2other county officers and employees.

3(5) A county auditor shall receive $20 per six hours of
4work in the discharge of the auditor's duties, together with
510¢ per mile for travel from and to the auditor's home once
6per day when employed as an auditor.

7(6) The prothonotary or a clerk of the several courts of
8common pleas, quarter sessions of the peace, oyer and
9terminer and orphans' courts, the register of wills and the
10recorder of deeds, shall:

11(i) keep or cause to be kept, a fair and accurate
12account of the fees received for a service performed by
13them or a person employed by them in their respective
14offices;

15(ii) on the first Monday of January of each year,
16furnish a copy of the account, upon oath or affirmation,
17to the auditor appointed by the court to settle the
18accounts of county officers;

19(iii) pay to the county treasurer for the use of the
20county, after deducting the necessary clerk hire and
21office expenses, 50% on the amount of an excess over the
22sum of $7,200 that is found by the auditor, appointed by
23the court to settle the accounts of county officers, to
24have been received by an officer in a year, provided that
25if two or more of the offices are held by one person, the
26auditor shall:

27(A) add together the fees received in the
28offices so held; and

29(B) charge the same percentage on the aggregate
30amount of fees received by the person holding more

1than one of the offices.

2When completed, a copy of the report of the auditor shall be
3presented by the auditor to the court of common pleas of the
4county and filed among the records of the court. Thereafter,
5the report shall have the force and effect of, and be subject
6to the same procedure as applies to, the report of the county
7auditors.

8(7) In a case of murder or manslaughter, a fee to be
9received by the coroner of a county of the seventh class
10shall be paid by the slayer or the slayer's estate if
11recovery is possible, otherwise the county shall bear the
12cost of the fee. The fees shall be as follows:

13(i) viewing a dead body, $18;

14(ii) summoning and qualifying inquest, drawing and
15returning an inquisition, $9.50;

16(iii) summoning and qualifying a witness, $3; and

17(iv) executing process or a writ, the same fees as
18are allowed to the sheriff and the same mileage.

19In a case of murder or manslaughter, a fee under this 
20paragraph shall be paid out of the goods, chattels, lands or
21tenements of the slayer, if the slayer has goods, chattels,
22lands or tenements. If not, the county shall bear the cost of
23the fee together with mileage at the rate of 10¢ per mile
24traveled to and from the court house and the place of viewing
25the body.

26(b) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office
27subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
281905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the 
29court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected 
30deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for

1the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

2§ 1146. Counties of the eighth class.

3(a) County officers.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
4the annual salaries of the following county officers of counties
5of the eighth class shall be as follows:

6(1) The sheriff, in a county having a population of less
7than 12,000, $4,080 and in a county having a population of
812,000 or more, but less than 20,000, $4,680.

9(2) A county commissioner, in a county having a
10population of less than 12,000, $3,380, and in a county
11having a population of 12,000 or more, $4,290.

12(3) The district attorney, $4,500.

13(4) A county auditor shall receive $20 per six hours of
14work in the discharge of the auditor's duties, together with
1510¢ per mile for travel from and to the auditor's home once
16per day when employed as an auditor.

17(5) A jury commissioner shall receive $15 for a day
18necessarily employed in the discharge of the commissioner's
19duties. The compensation shall be paid from the county
20treasury in the same manner as the salary or compensation of
21other county officers and employees.

22(6) The prothonotary or clerks of the several courts of
23common pleas, quarter sessions of the peace, oyer and
24terminer and orphans' courts, the register of wills and the
25recorder of deeds shall:

26(i) keep or cause to be kept a fair and accurate
27account of the fees received for services performed by
28them or a person employed by them in their respective
29offices;

30(ii) on the first Monday of January of each year,

1furnish a copy of the account, upon oath or affirmation,
2to the auditor appointed by the court to settle the
3accounts of county officers; and

4(iii) pay to the county treasurer for the use of the
5county after deducting the necessary clerk hire and
6office expenses 50% on the amount of any excess over and
7above the sum of $7,200 that is found by the auditor
8appointed by the court to settle the accounts of county
9officers, to have been received by an officer in a year,
10provided that if two or more of the offices is held by
11one person, the auditor shall add together the fees
12received in the offices held and charge the same
13percentage on the aggregate amount of fees received by
14the person holding more than one office.

15When completed, a copy of the report of the auditor shall be
16presented by him to the court of common pleas of the county
17and filed among the records of the court. The report shall
18thereafter have the force and effect of, and be subject to
19the same procedure as applies to, the report of the county
20auditors.

21(7) In a case of murder or manslaughter, a fee to be
22received by the coroner of a county of the eighth class shall
23be paid by the slayer or the slayer's estate if recovery is
24possible, otherwise and in all other cases by the county. The
25fees shall be as follows:

26(i) viewing a dead body, $18;

27(ii) summoning and qualifying inquest, drawing and
28returning all inquisitions, $9.50;

29(iii) summoning and qualifying each witness, $3; and

30(iv) executing process or a writ, the same fees as

1are allowed to the sheriff and the same mileage.

2In a case of murder or manslaughter, a fee under this
3paragraph shall be paid out of the goods, chattels, lands or
4tenements of the slayer, if the slayer has goods, chattels,
5lands or tenements. If not, the county shall bear the cost of
6the fee together with mileage at the rate of 10¢ per mile
7traveled to and from the court house and the place of viewing
8the body.

9(b) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office
10subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
111905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the
12court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected
13deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
14the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

15§ 1147. Counties of the second class.

16(a) County officers.--Except as provided in subsection (d),
17the minimum annual salaries of the elected officers of counties
18of the second class set forth in section 401 of the act of July
1928, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County
20Code, shall be as follows:

21(1) County commissioner, chairman, $41,540.

22(2) County commissioners, other than chairman, $39,295.

23(3) Controller, $36,181.

24(4) Treasurer, $36,181.

25(5) Coroner, $30,000.

26(6) Recorder of Deeds, $33,681.

27(7) Prothonotary, $33,681.

28(8) Clerk of Courts, $33,681.

29(9) Register of Wills, $34,804.

30(10) Sheriff, $30,000.

1(11) Jury Commissioner, $25,700.

2(b) Authority of county commissioners.--From and after the
3effective date of this section, the county commissioners of
4counties of the second class may fix the salary of the county
5officers governed by the provisions of subsection (a).

6(c) Prohibition.--Except as provided in subsection (d), the 
7county commissioners of counties of the second class may not 
8reduce the salary of a county officer below the amount set forth 
9in subsection (a).

10(d) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office
11subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
121905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the
13court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected
14deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
15the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

16§ 1148. Recorder of deeds.

17(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (e), the
18annual salary of a recorder of deeds shall be as follows:

19(1) In a county of the second class, $30,000.

20(2) In a county of the second class A, $26,500.

21(3) In a county of the third class, $23,500.

22(4) In a county of the fourth class, $21,500.

23(5) In a county of the fifth class, $19,000.

24(6) In a county of the sixth class, $17,000.

25(7) In a county of the seventh class, $15,500.

26(8) In a county of the eighth class, $14,000.

27(b) Duties.--The recorder of deeds shall:

28(1) perform the duties required by law;

29(2) be the collection agent for the realty transfer tax
30of this Commonwealth, including an amount payable upon a

1redetermination of the amount of tax due; and

2(3) comply with the laws relating to the realty transfer
3tax of this Commonwealth and the rules and regulations of the
4Secretary of Revenue.

5In order to ascertain the amount of taxes due when the property
6is located in more than one county, the recorder of deeds may
7not accept for recording the deed unless it is accompanied by an
8affidavit showing what taxes are due each county.

9(c) Local realty transfer tax.--The recorder of deeds shall
10be the collection agent for a political subdivision levying a
11local realty transfer tax, including an amount payable upon a
12redetermination of the amount of tax due, without compensation
13from the political subdivision. In order to ascertain the amount
14of taxes due when the property is located in more than one
15political subdivision, the recorder of deeds may not accept for
16recording the deed unless it is accompanied by an affidavit
17showing what taxes are due each municipality. On or before the
1810th of each month, the recorder of deeds shall pay over to the
19appropriate political subdivision the local realty transfer
20taxes collected, less 2% for use of the county, together with a
21report containing the information as is required by the
22Commonwealth in reporting collections of the realty transfer tax
23of this Commonwealth. The recorder of deeds shall pay the 2%
24withheld to the county. The county shall obtain and pay the
25premium or premiums on a bond necessary to cover the performance
26of the recorder of deeds' duties under this subsection.

27(d) Redetermination.--Upon a redetermination of the amount
28of realty transfer tax due, the deed shall be rerecorded or the
29additional realty transfer tax form shall be recorded at the
30option of the recorder of deeds but the recorder of deeds shall

1rerecord the deed or record the additional realty transfer tax
2form only when both State and local amounts payable and a fee to
3cover the costs of rerecording or recording have been tendered.

4(e) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of a recorder of
5deeds office are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1905.1 (relating
6to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the court, clerks of
7the orphans' court division and selected deputies), the county
8commissioners may reduce the salary for the office to an amount
9they deem appropriate.

10§ 1149. Register of wills.

11(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (c), the
12annual salary of a register of wills shall be as follows:

13(1) In a county of the second class, $30,000.

14(2) In a county of the second class A, $26,500.

15(3) In a county of the third class, $23,500.

16(4) In a county of the fourth class, $21,500.

17(5) In a county of the fifth class, $19,000.

18(6) In a county of the sixth class, $17,000.

19(7) In a county of the seventh class, $15,500.

20(8) In a county of the eighth class, $14,000.

21(b) Duties.--The registers of wills shall:

22(1) Perform the duties required by law.

23(2) Be the agent of the Commonwealth for the collection
24of both the transfer inheritance and estate taxes of this
25Commonwealth in the case of a resident decedent under the
26supervision of the Secretary of Revenue and under the rules
27and regulations of the Secretary of Revenue.

28(c) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of a register of
29wills office are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1905.1 (relating
30to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the court, clerks of

1the orphans' court division and selected deputies), the county
2commissioners may reduce the salary for the office to an amount
3they deem appropriate.

4§ 1150. Court personnel and salaries.

5(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
6annual salary of a prothonotary, clerk of the criminal court
7division of the courts of common pleas and clerk of the orphans'
8court division of the courts of common pleas shall be as
9follows:

10(1) In a county of the second class, $30,000.

11(2) In a county of the second class A, $26,500.

12(3) In a county of the third class, $23,500.

13(4) In a county of the fourth class, $21,500.

14(5) In a county of the fifth class, $19,000.

15(6) In a county of the sixth class, $17,000.

16(7) In a county of the seventh class, $15,500.

17(8) In a county of the eighth class, $14,000.

18(b) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office
19subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
201905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the 
21court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected 
22deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
23the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

24§ 1151. Power of the county commissioners to fix salaries of
25county officers.

26(a) Authority of commissioners.--After the effective date of
27this section, the county commissioners may fix the salary of the
28county officers governed by the provisions of sections 1148
29(relating to recorder of deeds), 1149 (relating to register of
30wills), 1150 (relating to court personnel and salaries) and 1152

1(relating to multiple officeholders and salaries).

2(b) Manner of fixing salary.--A salary for the county
3officers governed by the provisions of sections 1148, 1149, 1150
4and 1152 shall be fixed by the county commissioners in the
5following manner:

6(1) The county commissioners shall cause notice of
7intention to fix salaries at a special public meeting on a
8date certain to be published in a newspaper of general
9circulation at least ten days in advance of the special
10public meeting.

11(2) The special public meeting shall be held during the
12hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., prevailing time, so as to afford
13the public the greatest opportunity to attend.

14(3) The special public meeting shall be held in a
15centrally located area of the county.

16(c) Limitation.--Except as provided in subsection (f), the
17county commissioners may not reduce the salary of a county
18officer below the amount set forth in sections 1148, 1149, 1150
19and 1152.

20(d) Prohibition.--A new salary schedule may not be adopted
21in a calendar year in which the county commissioners are to be
22elected.

23(e) Increase.--A salary increase shall be on a percentage
24basis and applied equally to all county officials except that
25the county commissioners may provide a greater percentage salary
26increase to the lowest paid county official, other than the jury
27commissioners or county auditor, until the salary is equal to
28the other county officials except the jury commissioners, county
29auditors, district attorneys and county commissioners.

30(f) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office

1subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
21905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the
3court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected
4deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
5the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

6§ 1152. Multiple officeholders and salaries.

7(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
8where an officer mentioned under section 1148 (relating to
9recorder of deeds), 1149 (relating to register of wills) or 1150
10(relating to court personnel and salaries) holds two or more of
11the offices for which a salary is fixed under section 1148, 1149
12or 1150, the officer shall receive the highest salary fixed for
13an office that the officer holds, plus an additional amount of
14$2,000 per year. The periodic salary increases provided for in
15section 1151 (relating to power of the county commissioners to
16fix salaries of county officers) shall be applicable to this
17section.

18(b) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office
19subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
201905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the
21court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected
22deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
23the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

24§ 1153. Salary of controller, recorder of deeds and clerk of
25courts in counties of third class.

26(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
27salary, in a county of the third class, of the county
28controller, the recorder of deeds and the clerk of courts shall
29be $5,000 per year.

30(b) Reduction.--If the powers and duties of an office

1subject to this section are transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. §
21905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the
3court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected
4deputies), the county commissioners may reduce the salary for
5the office to an amount they deem appropriate.

6SUBCHAPTER D

7FEES

8Sec.

91161. Orphans' Court in fifth through eighth class counties.

101162. Orphans' Court in second through eighth class counties.

111163. Additional fee for initiation in second class counties.

121164. Prothonotaries and civil judicial records offices in
13second class counties.

141165. Establishment and modification of fees in second class
15counties.

161166. Additional fee for initiation in second class counties.

171167. Payment required.

181168. County Records Improvement Fund.

191169. Clerk of courts or director of criminal judicial records
20fee.

21§ 1161. Orphans' Court in fifth through eighth class counties.

22In counties of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class,
23the clerk of the Orphans' Court or the director of the Orphans'
24Court division judicial records office shall charge the
25following fees:

26(1) Accounts:

27(i) Filing.

28(ii) Recording.

29(iii) Setting up printed copies of advertisement of
30accounts of trustees and guardians, including certificate

1of the clerk or director:

2(A) First page, $23.

3(B) Each additional page, $2.

4(C) Release attached to account:

5(I) Recording per name, $2.

6(II) Each additional page, $2.

7(2) Adjudications, omitting opinion and discussion:

8(i) Recording, with recording certificate and
9filing, $6.

10(ii) First page of distribution, $6.

11(iii) Each additional page, $2.

12(iv) Copy of adjudication, exclusive of advertising,
13$2 per page.

14(3) All adoption proceedings, $18.

15(4) All voluntary relinquishment proceedings, $12.50.

16(5) Allowance for minor, etc., and petition and order,
17$7.50.

18(6) Appeal to an appellate court certificate of record
19and bond, $30.

20(7) Attachment, petition and writ, $6.

21(8) Certificate of guardian or trustee appointment:

22(i) First name, $2.

23(ii) Each additional name, 50¢.

24(9) Citation, including proof of service, $5.

25(10) Commissions on money paid into court, 5% per year.

26(11) Commitment, $2.

27(12) Copy of issuing decree, excluding certificate, $3
28per page.

29(13) Discharge of trustee and appointment of substitute
30trustee, $6.

1(14) Filing election to take under or against will,
2$6.50.

3(15) Issuing exemplification of record:

4(i) First page, $10.

5(ii) Each additional page, $2.

6(16) Extinguishing charge on lend, including certified
7copy of final decree, $10.

8(17) Family settlement, $12.50.

9(18) Release, $2 per name.

10(19) Satisfaction of award, $2.

11(20) Guardian:

12(i) Filing petition and appointment, $10.

13(ii) Filing and approval of bond, $4.

14(21) Marriage:

15(i) License, including State tax, $5.

16(ii) Consent, 50¢.

17(22) Order to pay, including filing petition for order
18and order, $6.50.

19(23) Partition proceedings:

20(i) One purpart, $30.

21(ii) Each additional purpart, $4.

22(24) Real estate or mortgage proceeding for distribution
23of payment of debts:

24(i) One purpart, $10.

25(ii) Each additional purpart, $2.

26(25) Specific performance of contract for sale of real
27estate:

28(i) Petition and order, $10.

29(ii) Seal of court, $1.

30(iii) Subpoena, $2.

1(26) Appraisement:

2(i) Personal property:

3(A) Filing petition, copying and appointment of
4appraisers, $6.50.

5(B) Filing proof of publication and
6confirmation, $6.50.

7(ii) Real property:

8(A) Filing petition, copying and appointment of
9appraisers, $6.50.

10(B) Filing proof of publication and
11confirmation, $6.

12(iii) Exemption of spouse or child:

13(A) Personal property:

14(I) Claim.

15(II) Appraisement.

16(III) Proof of publication.

17(IV) Confirmation, $5.

18(B) Real property.

19(I) Claim.

20(II) Appraisement.

21(III) Proof of publication.

22(IV) Confirmation:

23(a) For one purpart, $5.

24(b) For each additional purpart, $2.

25(iv) Petition for appointment of appraisers, $2.

26(v) Filing appraisement, proof of publication and
27confirmation, when there is no administration or probate:

28(A) Personal estate, $6.50.

29(B) Real estate:

30(I) For one purpart, $6.50.

1(II) For each additional purpart, $2.

2(27) Similar services not listed in this section, a fee
3on the basis set forth in this section.

4§ 1162. Orphans' Court in second through eighth class counties.

5In counties of the second, second A, third, fourth, fifth,
6sixth, seventh and eighth class beginning August 31, 1981, the
7clerk of the Orphans' Court or the director of the Orphans'
8Court division judicial records office may establish, modify or
9eliminate fees and charges with the approval of the president
10judge.

11§ 1163. Additional fee for initiation in second class counties.

12In a county of the second class, the clerk of the Orphans'
13Court or the director of the Orphans' Court division judicial
14records office may charge and collect a fee in addition to the
15fee under section 1162 (relating to Orphans' Court in second
16through eighth class counties) for the initiation of an action
17or proceeding. The additional fee shall be deposited into a
18special computer fund established in the county. Money in the
19fund shall be used by the clerk of the Orphans' Court, with the
20approval of the president judge or director of the Orphans'
21Court division judicial records office, solely for the purposes
22of computerization and document reproduction in the office of
23the clerk.

24§ 1164. Prothonotaries and civil judicial records offices in
25second class counties.

26(a) Schedule.--In a county of the second class, the
27prothonotary or director of the civil judicial records office of
28the court of common pleas shall charge the following fees:

29(1) Filing and docketing of a report or an account, $11.

30(2) Appeals:

1(i) Filing appeal to a court of Statewide
2jurisdiction, $50.

3(ii) Filing any other appeal, $35.

4(3) Bonds, in surety or cash, approved by court or
5prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial records
6office, $10.

7(4) Certifications:

8(i) Certification of certificate:

9(A) For single page, $8.

10(B) For each additional page, $2.

11(ii) Exemplification:

12(A) For single page, $20.

13(B) For each additional page

142.

15(iii) Certification of notarial certificate, $15.

16(iv) Certified copy of divorce decree, $10.

17(v) Additional copy, $5.

18(5) Commencement of action or proceeding, other than a
19complaint in confession of judgment and commencement of a
20Commonwealth tax lien, $45. The fee under this paragraph is a
21composite fee which:

22(i) includes the filing of all plaintiff's
23pleadings, discovery or any other paper not otherwise
24provided for in this section, section 1165 (relating to
25establishment and modification of fees in second class
26counties) or section 1166 (relating to additional fee for
27initiation in second class counties); and

28(ii) excludes:

29(A) trial and trial listing;

30(B) judgment execution, attachment and revival;

1and

2(C) postjudgment paper.

3(6) Acknowledgment of sheriff's or treasurer's deed, $5.

4(7) Defendant's filings:

5(i) The filing, on behalf of a defendant or
6additional defendant, of the first pleading or other
7paper not otherwise provided for in this section, section
81165 or 1166, $15. The fee under this subparagraph is a
9composite fee which:

10(A) includes the filing of all defendant's
11pleadings, discovery or any other paper not otherwise
12provided for in this section, section 1165 or 1166;
13and

14(B) excludes:

15(I) trial and trial listing;

16(II) judgment execution, attachment and
17revival; and

18(III) postjudgment paper.

19(ii) Filings of separate initial pleadings by
20multiple defendants require a separate fee.

21(8) Eminent domain:

22(i) Commencement of action by declaration of taking
23or petition for appointment of board of viewers, $35.

24(ii) Initial fee for each premises, parcel or plot,
25$1.

26(9) Fictitious individual and corporate names:

27(i) Filing application for registration of an
28individual fictitious name, $41.50.

29(ii) Filing application for registration of a
30fictitious corporate name, $51.50.

1(iii) Subsequent filing under subparagraph (i) or
2(ii), including cancellation, $7.50.

3(10) Funds on deposit.

4(i) Receiving.

5(ii) Distributing money paid into court.

6(A) 4% of each dollar under $501; and

7(B) 1% for each dollar exceeding $500.

8(11) Joinder, each additional defendant, except initial
9action with appearance, $20.

10(12) Judgment:

11(i) Entry in action commenced in the county, $15.

12(ii) Entry in action from another jurisdiction, $25.

13(iii) Entry by agreement, $20.

14(iv) Judgment by confession, $25.

15(v) Complaint in confession of judgment, $25.

16(vi) Assignment of judgment, $15.

17(13) Liens:

18(i) Filing Federal tax lien, mechanic's lien or
19lien not covered under this section, section 1165 or
201166, $10. This subparagraph includes a waiver, a "to the
21use of lien" and all indexing.

22(ii) Commencement of Commonwealth tax lien, $10.
23This subparagraph:

24(A) includes a complaint to use claims, a writ
25of scire facias, all pleadings, a default judgment, a
26filing of a paper and indexing; and

27(B) excludes revival.

28(14) Registration of notary public signature, $5.

29(15) Interlocutory papers: filing interlocutory paper
30not included in a composite fee, $3.

1(16) Filing interlocutory petition or motion not
2included in a composite fee, $10.

3(17) Filing power of attorney, including all services
4and revocation, $20.

5(18) Statutory filing partnership agreement or
6association, including subsequent papers and termination,
7$30.

8(19) Filing release of lien, $7.50.

9(20) Filing writ of revival, petition, pleading and all
10papers, $25.

11(21) Searches:

12(i) Certified judgment or lien search for each
13period of five years or less, $20 per property.

14(ii) Certified locality search for each period of
15five years or less, $20 per property.

16(iii) Fictitious and fictitious corporate name
17searches:

18(A) Certified search covering period beginning
19January 1, 1953, and ending on date of search, from
20the fictitious name or fictitious corporate name
21index, $20.

22(B) Certified search covering a given five-year
23period or fraction of that period, $10.

24(22) Subpoenas:

25(i) Issuing a subpoena form, $2.

26(ii) Producing a record in response to a subpoena
27based on four-hour service, $20.

28(iii) Service beyond four hours or fraction of four
29hours, $15.

30(iv) For each mile traveled round trip for service

1out of county, 17¢.

2(23) Suggestion of nonpayment, including averments, $20.

3(24) Filing satisfaction, discontinuance or termination
4type paper, $5.

5(25) Trial and trial listings:

6(i) Jury fee when case is placed at issue or appeal
7from arbitration demanding jury trial, $50.

8(ii) Compulsory arbitration listing, $15.

9(iii) Order for continuance, $15.

10(iv) Certificate of readiness, $15.

11(26) Issuing writ of execution or attachment, including
12indexing, $20.

13(b) Refunds.--If there is an overpayment of a fee, there
14shall be no refund of an amount less than $5.

15§ 1165. Establishment and modification of fees in second class
16counties.

17In counties of the second class, after April 7, 1982, the
18prothonotary or director of civil judicial records office may
19establish, modify or eliminate fees and charges with the
20approval of the president judge.

21§ 1166. Additional fee for initiation in second class counties.

22In addition to the fee under section 1164 (relating to
23prothonotaries and civil judicial records offices in second
24class counties) or 1165 (relating to establishment and
25modification of fees in second class counties), a fee may be
26charged and collected by the prothonotary or director of the
27civil judicial records office of the court of common pleas of a
28county of the second class for the initiation of an action or
29proceeding. The additional fee shall be deposited into a special
30fund in the county to be used by the prothonotary or director of

1the civil judicial records office solely for the purpose of
2computerizing the office of the prothonotary or civil judicial
3records office.

4§ 1167. Payment required.

5The prothonotary or director of the civil judicial records
6office shall receive a paper or perform a service until the
7proper fee is paid.

8§ 1168. County Records Improvement Fund.

9(a) Establishment.--There is established a County Records
10Improvement Fund in counties of the second class A, third,
11fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth classes and home rule
12charter counties of these classes.

13(b) Sources.--In addition to the fee charged by a recorder
14of deeds or by an equivalent officer in a home rule charter
15county, a fee in the amount of $5 shall be charged and collected
16for each document recorded. The fee shall be distributed in the
17following manner:

18(1) The amount of $3 shall be retained in a separate
19fund within the office of the recorder of deeds to be used,
20in accordance with regular county budgeting, contracting and
21procurement practices, to support development and improvement
22of office records management activities and systems in the
23office of the recorder of deeds or in its equivalent in a
24home rule charter county. Money in the separate fund shall
25not be used to substitute allocations of general revenues for
26the operation of the recorder's office without the express
27consent of the recorder. The separate fund shall be audited
28by the appropriate auditing agency, and any unexpended
29balance, together with interest earned on the separate fund,
30shall be left in the separate fund to accumulate from year to

1year. At the close of the fiscal year four years after March
230, 1998, and every four years thereafter, unencumbered money
3remaining in the separate fund shall be transferred to the
4County Records Improvement Fund.

5(2) The amount of $2 shall be deposited in the County
6Records Improvement Fund for use as prescribed in subsection
7(c).

8(c) Expenditure.--Funds deposited in the County Records
9Improvement Fund shall be expended in accordance with a
10comprehensive records management plan based on the goal of
11standardizing and equalizing the capabilities of all county
12offices consistent with their need to receive, manage and
13provide information to the public as efficiently as possible.
14The plan shall be developed and administered in the following
15manner:

16(1) Each county shall establish a County Records
17Improvement Committee made up of the county commissioners,
18the sheriff, the prothonotary, the clerk of court, the
19register of wills, the director of any established judicial
20records offices and the treasurer, or equivalent offices in a
21home rule charter county. The committee shall assess the
22relative records management capabilities and records
23management needs of each office and develop recommendations
24to the county commissioners for a comprehensive records
25management plan consistent with the goal established in this
26subsection.

27(2) The county commissioners or their equivalent in a
28home rule charter county shall adopt and provide for
29administration of a comprehensive records management plan
30that is based on the recommendations of the committee and is

1consistent with the goal established in this subsection. The
2plan may be amended from time to time in consultation with
3the committee.

4(3) The County Records Improvement Fund shall be
5expended and administered consistent with regular county
6budgeting, contracting and procurement practices and
7administrative procedures. The County Records Improvement
8Fund shall be audited by the appropriate auditing agency and
9any unexpended balance, together with interest earned on the
10County Records Improvement Fund, shall be left in the County
11Records Improvement Fund to accumulate from year to year.

12§ 1169. Clerk of courts or director of criminal judicial
13records fee.

14In counties of the second through eighth class, the fees to
15be charged and collected by the clerks of courts, the director
16of criminal judicial records office or the equivalent officer in
17a home rule county shall be as follows:

18(1) A fee of not less than $35 nor more than $100 for
19all proceedings in a misdemeanor or felony case disposed of
20during or after trial.

21(2) A fee of not less than $20 nor more than $75 for
22each proceeding in a misdemeanor or felony case disposed of
23before trial.

24(3) The fees referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2):

25(i) shall be set annually by the clerk of courts or
26the director of the criminal judicial records office by
27January 1; and

28(ii) when added to other fees charged, must bear a
29reasonable relationship to the amount necessary to
30maintain and operate the office of clerk of courts or the

1criminal judicial records office.

2(4) A fee of $15 for each proceeding in a summary
3matter.

4(5) A fee of $5 for each certification.

5(6) A fee of $10 for any other matters filed in the
6office and for each report prepared by the clerk or director.
7No fee shall be charged under this paragraph for filing:

8(i) a township or borough audit report; or

9(ii) a transcript received which indicates a final
10disposition by the magisterial district judge.

11(7) A fee of $25 for the filing of an appeal from a 
12summary conviction before a magisterial district judge.

13(8) A fee of $30 for an appeal from the court of common
14pleas.

15(9) A fee of 3¢ per dollar for the first $1,000 and 1¢
16per dollar for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof for
17the handling of money paid into court.

18SUBCHAPTER E

19PROTHONOTARY OR DIRECTOR FEES

20Sec.

211171. Construction of terms.

221172. Fees in counties of the second class A, third class, 
23fourth class, fifth class, sixth class, seventh class 
24and eighth class, and in home rule counties.

251173. Increasing existing fees.

261174. Automation fee for prothonotary's office or civil
27judicial records office or consolidated judicial
28records office.

291175. Similar service, payment in advance and tax.

30§ 1171. Construction of terms.

1The following apply to this chapter:

2(1) Filing includes docketing, entering and indexing.

3(2) A counterclaim is not to be considered as a
4commencement of a new action.

5(3) Procedures involved in joinder of additional
6defendants shall be considered as part of the original action
7and not subject to separate charge.

8(4) Garnishment proceedings shall not be considered as
9commencement of a new action but shall be considered part of
10execution.

11(5) Proceedings on any lien other than revival shall be
12interpreted as commencement of new action.

13(6) Certification of a paper or giving of a memorandum
14of filing may be included in the services enumerated and
15rendered under this subchapter.

16(7) Any action or proceeding to strike off or open a
17judgment shall be considered as commencement of an action.

18§ 1172. Fees in counties of the second class A, third class, 
19fourth class, fifth class, sixth class, seventh class 
20and eighth class, and in home rule counties.

21In counties of the second class A, third class, fourth class,
22fifth class, sixth class, seventh class and eighth class, and in
23home rule counties, the following are the fees to be received by
24the prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial records
25office of the court of common pleas:

26(1) Appeal from court of common pleas, $30.

27(2) Acknowledgment from sheriff, treasurer or tax claim
28bureau deed, $5.

29(3) Filing assignment, $5.

30(4) Filing of building agreement, waiver or stipulation,

1$10.

2(5) Certifications and exemplifications:

3(i) Except as set forth in subparagraph (ii),
4certification of a copy of a paper:

5(A) First page, $3.

6(B) Each additional page, $1.

7(ii) Certification of notary public or magisterial
8district judge or a similar certification, $2.

9(iii) Exemplification of record, $10.

10(6) Commencement of action:

11(i) A fee of not less than $15 nor more than $50:

12(A) shall be fixed annually by the prothonotary
13or the director of the civil judicial records office
14of the court of common pleas by January 1; and

15(B) when added to all other fees charged, must
16bear a reasonable relationship to the amount
17necessary to maintain and operate the office of the
18prothonotary or civil judicial records office.

19(ii) After an action has been commenced, no other
20fees shall be payable except as set forth in this
21subchapter.

22(iii) In a divorce action, an additional fee not to
23exceed $15 may be charged for each count in the complaint
24in excess of the count requesting the divorce.

25(7) Filing of praecipe for writ of execution, including
26attachment and possession and any other method of execution
27not provided for in this chapter and including incident
28services, $15.

29(8) Entry of final judgment or decree by any manner,
30including all services, $9.

1(9) Filing of lien, including certified copy, $9.

2(10) Notary public: Registration of signature of notary
3public, $2.

4(11) Poundage:

5(i) For the handling of money paid into court for
6each dollar of the first $1,000, 3¢.

7(ii) For each dollar of each additional $1,000 or
8fraction of $1,000, 1¢.

9(12) Revivals: For each entry of judgment:

10(i) Continuing a lien not reduced to judgment, $9.

11(ii) Reviving the lien of a judgment by an amicable
12proceeding, $9.

13(iii) Reviving the lien of a judgment by an adverse
14proceeding, $15.

15(13) For each subpoena, $2.

16(14) For a search of a record or index, including
17certification:

18(i) Five years, $5.

19(ii) Each reference, $1.

20(15) For the entrance of a satisfaction, release,
21postponement, assignment or subordination of each encumbrance
22or lien by power of attorney or otherwise, or for the
23entrance of a settlement, discontinued ending or termination
24of a civil action at law or in equity, $5.

25(16) If an arbitration proceeding is processed by the
26prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial records
27office, $15.

28§ 1173. Increasing existing fees.

29(a) General rule.--In a county of the second class A, third
30class, fourth class, fifth class, sixth class, seventh class and

1eight class, including a home rule county of the same class, the
2prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial records
3office may increase a fee or charge that exists on the effective
4date of this section with the approval of the president judge.
5The amount of an increase may not be greater than the aggregate
6of the Consumer Price Index from the month in which the fee was
7last established through June 1998.

8(b) Periodic adjustment.--The amount of a fee or charge
9increased under subsection (a) may be increased every three
10years, except that the amount of the increase may not be greater
11than the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for
12Urban Workers for the immediate three years preceding the last
13increase in the fee or charge.

14§ 1174. Automation fee for prothonotary's office or civil
15judicial records office or consolidated judicial
16records office.

17(a) Imposition.--In addition to any other fee authorized by
18law, an automation fee of not more than $5 may be charged and
19collected by the prothonotary or the director of the civil
20judicial records office of a county of the second class A, third
21class, fourth class, fifth class, sixth class, seventh class and
22eighth class, including a home rule county of the same class,
23for the initiation of an action or legal proceeding.

24(b) Deposit.--The automation fee under subsection (a) shall
25be deposited into a special prothonotary or director of the
26civil judicial records office automation fund established in
27each county. Money in the special fund shall be used solely for
28the purpose of automation and continued automation update of the
29office of the prothonotary or the civil judicial records office.

30§ 1175. Similar service, payment in advance and tax.

1(a) Similar service.--A fee for a service not provided for
2under this subchapter or included in another service shall be
3the same as for similar service.

4(b) Advance payment.--The prothonotary or the director of 
5the civil judicial records office shall not be required to enter 
6on the docket a suit or action or order of court, a judgment or 
7perform a service for a person, political subdivision or the 
8Commonwealth until the requisite fee is paid.

9(c) Tax.--A fee enumerated under this subchapter shall be in
10addition to a tax levied by the Commonwealth.

11SUBCHAPTER F

12FEES FOR MUNICIPAL COURT OF PHILADELPHIA

13Sec.

141181. Fee schedule.

151182. Fees for similar service.

161183. Fees required before a service is performed.

17§ 1181. Fee schedule.

18The following fees shall be charged and collected by the
19judicial records office for matters filed in the Municipal Court
20of Philadelphia:

21(1) Appointment of special investigator, $12.50.

22(2) Appointment of special psychiatrist, $12.50.

23(3) Bail-piece, $12.50.

24(4) Bail bond entering of all types, including sign own
25bail and release on recognizance, $10.

26(5) Bail forfeitures, $12.50.

27(6) Bench warrants, $10.

28(7) Bench warrants withdrawal, $10.

29(8) Bill of particulars and discovery, $12.50.

30(9) Certified copy of record bill of information,

1$12.50.

2(10) Certified copy of disposition of criminal case,
3$12.50.

4(11) Certified copy of docket entries, $12.50.

5(12) Common pleas court motion for new trial and in
6arrest of judgment, $10.

7(13) Cost per one bill of information in each criminal
8case, $100.

9(14) Detective license application filing fee, $12.50.

10(15) Exemplification of the record, $15.

11(16) Expungements, $15.

12(17) Felony, $75.

13(18) Filing and entering appeals to Commonwealth,
14Superior or Supreme Court, $40.

15(19) Filing, docketing and certifying any petitions,
16applications or motions not provided for under this section,
17$12.50.

18(20) Funeral petitions, $12.50.

19(21) Habeas corpus, $10.

20(22) Misdemeanor, $50.

21(23) Motion to quash municipal court transcript, $12.50.

22(24) Motion to quash bills of information, $12.50.

23(25) Motion to suppress, $12.50.

24(26) Omnibus pretrial motion for relief, $15 flat rate.

25(27) Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board appeal, $12.50.

26(28) Producing a record in response to subpoena, $25.

27(29) Probation and parole matters, $12.50.

28(30) Petition for bail or bail reduction, $12.50.

29(31) Petition for change of venue, $12.50.

30(32) Recognizance, forfeited, respited and indexing any

1common pleas court, $12.50.

2(33) Return of confiscated property, $12.50.

3(34) Any proceeding under Rule #1100 or #6013, $12.50.

4(35) Reconsideration of sentence, $12.50.

5(36) Short certificate and seal, $5.

6(37) Subpoena and seal, $2.

7(38) Nontraffic related summary citation, $25.

8(39) Withdrawal of counsel, $12.50.

9§ 1182. Fees for similar service.

10The fee for a service not provided for under this subchapter
11shall be, at the discretion of the clerk or the director, the
12same as for a similar service.

13§ 1183. Fees required before a service is performed.

14The clerk or the director may not be required to perform a
15service until the requisite fee is paid.

16SUBCHAPTER G

17FEES IN SECOND CLASS A COUNTIES

18Sec.

191191. Fees charged and collected.

201192. Similar service, payment in advance and tax.

21§ 1191. Fees charged and collected.

22The fees to be charged and collected in second class A county
23by the clerk of courts or the director of the criminal judicial 
24records office, or his or her counterpart in a home rule county
25of the second class A, shall be as follows:

26(1) A fee of not less than $35 nor more than $150 for
27each proceeding in each misdemeanor and felony case disposed
28of at any time during or after trial.

29(2) A fee of not less than $20 nor more than $125 for
30each proceeding in each misdemeanor and felony case disposed

1of before trial.

2(3) The following shall apply:

3(i) Except as provided under subparagraph (ii), a
4fee referred to under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be set
5annually by the clerk of courts or the director of the
6criminal judicial records office, or his counterpart in a
7home rule county, on or before January 1 of each year.

8(ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (i), in calendar
9year 1986 a fee referred to under paragraphs (1) and (2)
10shall be set within 20 days and, when added to another
11fee charged, shall bear a reasonable relationship to the
12sum sufficient to maintain and operate the following:

13(A) The office of clerk of courts or the
14criminal judicial records office, or its counterpart
15in a home rule county.

16(B) The court administration's expenses
17attributed to functions required to process criminal
18actions.

19(C) A reasonable share of the cost of
20maintaining a public law library, as determined by
21the commissioners.

22(4) A fee of $15 for each proceeding in a summary
23matter.

24(5) A fee of $5 for each certification.

25(6) A fee of $10 for any other matter filed in the
26office and for each report prepared by the clerk or the
27director, or his counterpart in a home rule county, except
28that no fee shall be charged for filing township and borough
29audit reports or transcripts received which indicate a final
30disposition by the magisterial district judge.

1(7) A fee of $25 for the filing of an appeal from a
2summary conviction before a magisterial district judge.

3(8) A fee of $30 for an appeal from the court of common
4pleas to an appellate court.

5(9) A fee of 3¢ per dollar for the first $1,000 and 1¢
6per dollar for each additional $1,000, or fraction of $1,000,
7for the handling of money paid into court.

8§ 1192. Similar service, payment in advance and tax.

9(a) Similar service.--A fee for a service not provided for
10under this subchapter or included in another service shall be
11the same as for similar service.

12(b) Advance payment.--The prothonotary or the director of 
13the civil judicial records office shall not be required to enter 
14on the docket a suit or action or order of court, a judgment or 
15perform a service for a person, political subdivision or the 
16Commonwealth until the requisite fee is paid.

17(c) Tax.--A fee enumerated under this subchapter shall be in
18addition to a tax levied by the Commonwealth.

19SUBCHAPTER H

20REIMBURSEMENT

21Sec.

221201. County court reimbursement.

23§ 1201. County court reimbursement.

24Calculation and payment of a county court reimbursement shall
25be as follows:

26(1) Reimbursement to counties for costs incurred in the
27administration and operation of courts of common pleas shall
28be calculated and paid as follows:

29(i) For each common pleas court judge, filled or
30vacant, the calculation shall be based on $70,000 per

1authorized position.

2(ii) The calculated amounts in judicial districts
3comprising more than one county shall be $70,000 per
4authorized position. The amount allocated to each county
5shall be determined by the proportion of the county's
6population in relation to the population of the entire
7judicial district.

8(iii) A county may not be reimbursed for costs above
9the actual direct costs, excluding capital outlays,
10incurred to operate the courts of common pleas.

11(iv) A county's calculated grant may not be less
12than 77.5% of the actual reimbursement for court costs
13appropriated in fiscal year 1980-1981.

14(v) Reimbursement shall be made to the county
15treasurer and, in cities of the first class coterminous
16with counties of the first class, to the city treasurer.

17(2) The Court Administrator of Pennsylvania shall 
18calculate an amount estimated to be sufficient to pay for the 
19salary and benefits costs of personnel who are members of the 
20State judicial personnel system under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1905.1 
21(relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the 
22court, clerks of the orphans' court division and selected 
23deputies). The amount shall be deducted from the 
24appropriation for county court reimbursements and used to 
25fund the costs as provided under 42 Pa.C.S. § 2805(b) 
26(relating to funding of judicial records offices).

27(3) Each county's grant calculated under paragraph (1)
28shall be proportionally reduced by the amount calculated by
29the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania under paragraph (2)
30so that the total grant payments do not exceed the net amount

1available.

2(4) The appropriation made under this section shall be a
3continuing appropriation and shall not lapse at the end of
4the fiscal year. If a surplus resulting from the
5overestimation of salary and benefits costs under paragraph
6(2) occurs, the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania may make
7an additional distribution of the surplus funds to be
8calculated and paid as provided under paragraphs (1) and (3).

9Section 2. The definitions of "administrative staff" and
10"system and related personnel" in section 102 of Title 42 are
11amended and the section is amended by adding definitions to
12read:

13§ 102. Definitions.

14Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
15provisions of this title which are applicable to specific
16provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when
17used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly
18indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

19* * *

20"Administrative staff." All individuals employed in the
21business of a court, including the personnel of the office of
22the clerk of the court of common pleas or the judicial records 
23office, but the term does not include judicial officers or their
24personal staff. The term includes the clerks or prothonotaries
25of the Supreme Court, the Superior Court and the Commonwealth
26Court and their staffs.

27* * *

28"Civil judicial records office." The office having the
29powers and duties under Ch. 28 Subch. B (relating to civil
30judicial records office).

1* * *

2"Criminal judicial records office." The office having the
3powers and duties under Ch. 28 Subch. C (relating to criminal
4judicial records office).

5* * *

6"Director of the civil judicial records office." The officer
7selected by the president judge of a judicial district to
8exercise the powers and perform the duties under Ch. 28 Subch.
9B.

10"Director of the criminal judicial records office." The
11officer selected by the president judge of a judicial district
12to exercise the powers and perform the duties under Ch. 28
13Subch. C.

14"Director of the judicial records office." As follows:

15(1) If the civil, criminal or orphans' court division
16judicial records offices are consolidated into one office,
17the officer selected by the president judge of a judicial
18district under section 2807(f) (relating to consolidation of 
19judicial records offices) to exercise control over the
20judicial records office.

21(2) If the civil, criminal or orphans' court division
22judicial records offices are not consolidated into one
23office, the director of an individual judicial records
24office.

25"Director of the orphans' court judicial records office."
26The officer selected by the president judge of a judicial
27district to exercise the powers and perform the duties under Ch.
2828 Subch. D (relating to orphans' court division judicial
29records office).

30* * *

1"Judicial records office." The administrative staff of the
2courts of common pleas and the Philadelphia Municipal Court
3responsible for the receipt of documents transmitted to the
4court by litigants and the transmission of notice of orders
5entered by and process issued under the authority of the court.

6* * *

7"Orphans' court judicial records office." The office having
8the powers and duties under Ch. 28 Subch. D.

9* * *

10"System and related personnel." Personnel of the system and
11related staff. The term includes district attorneys, public
12defenders, sheriffs and other officers serving process or
13enforcing orders, registers of wills, prothonotaries, clerks of
14the courts, clerks of the orphans' court division, coroners,
15directors of judicial records offices, directors of civil 
16judicial records offices, directors of criminal judicial records 
17offices, directors of orphans' court division judicial records 
18offices, jury commissioners, probation officials, and the
19personnel of all of the foregoing.

20* * *

21Section 3. Section 327(a) of Title 42, amended October 9,
222013 (P.L.609, No.73), is amended to read:

23§ 327. Oaths and acknowledgments.

24(a) General ability.--Each judicial officer, each clerk of 
25court, each retired or senior judge, director of a judicial 
26records office, director of a civil judicial records office, 
27director of a criminal judicial records office, director of an 
28orphans' court division judicial records office and such other 
29personnel of the system and jurors as may be designated by or 
30pursuant to general rules may administer oaths and affirmations
 

1and take acknowledgments. An acknowledgment may be taken by a 
2member of the bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania if the 
3document is thereafter certified to an officer authorized to 
4administer oaths. Certification by an attorney shall be in 
5accordance with 57 Pa.C.S. Ch. 3 (relating to Revised Uniform 
6Law on Notarial Acts) and shall include the attorney's Supreme 
7Court identification number.

8* * *

9Section 4. Sections 1106, 1144, 1303, 1516, 1724(a)(5),
101725(c)(2), (3) and (6), (d)(11) and (e)(3), 1725.1(a.1),
111725.4(a)(1) and (b) and 1904(c)(2) and (4) and (d) of Title 42
12are amended to read:

13§ 1106. Lien of judgments.

14A judgment of a community court shall not operate as a lien
15on real property until a transcript of the record showing a
16final judgment in the community court has been filed in the
17manner prescribed by general rules in the office of the clerk of
18the court of common pleas or the judicial records office of the
19county where the property is situated, or in the office of the
20clerk or the appropriate judicial records office of the branch
21of the court of common pleas embracing such county. After such
22entry the judgment shall, from the date of such entry, be a lien
23upon real property to the same extent that judgment recovered in
24the court of common pleas is a lien. No such transcript shall be
25filed until after 30 days after the entry of final judgment by
26the community court. No execution against real estate shall
27issue out of the community court.

28§ 1144. Lien of judgment.

29A judgment of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court shall not
30operate as a lien on real property until a transcript of the

1record showing a final judgment of the Pittsburgh Magistrates
2Court has been filed in the manner prescribed by general rules
3in the office of the prothonotary or the appropriate judicial 
4records office of Allegheny County. After entry of the judgment,
5the judgment shall, from the date of its entry, be a lien upon
6real property to the same extent that judgment recovered in the
7court of common pleas is a lien. No transcript of the record
8shall be filed until 30 days after the entry of final judgment
9by the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court. No execution against real
10estate shall be issued by the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court.

11§ 1303. Signatures and dockets.

12Facsimile signatures of traffic court judges may be used for
13all purposes in lieu of their original signatures, except on
14affidavits for warrants of arrest and on the docket of the
15traffic court. Traffic court dockets shall contain a record of
16the disposition of every case and where a fine and costs are
17imposed shall record the amount of said fine and the amount of
18costs. The docket shall in all cases, where a summons has been
19issued, as to each case, be signed by the judge making the
20disposition or in his name by the clerk of the traffic court or 
21the director of the criminal judicial records office, whichever 
22is applicable.

23§ 1516. Lien of judgment.

24A judgment of a magisterial district judge shall not operate
25as a lien on real property until a transcript of the record
26showing a final judgment of a magisterial district judge has
27been filed in the manner prescribed by general rules in the
28office of the clerk of the court of common pleas or the 
29appropriate judicial records office of the county where the
30property is situated, or in the office of the clerk or the
 

1appropriate judicial records office of the branch of the court
2of common pleas embracing such county. After such entry the
3judgment shall, from the date of such entry, be a lien upon real
4property to the same extent that judgment recovered in the court
5of common pleas is a lien. No such transcript shall be filed
6until after 30 days after the entry of final judgment by the
7magisterial district judge. No execution against real estate
8shall be issued by a magisterial district judge.

9§ 1724. Personnel of the system.

10(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
11governing authority shall exercise general supervisory and
12administrative authority over the personnel of the system,
13including the power to:

14* * *

15(5) Determine, from time to time, the hours when the
16office of the clerk or the judicial records office and the
17administrative and central offices of the system shall open
18and close.

19* * *

20§ 1725. Establishment of fees and charges.

21(c) Counties of the first class.--

22* * *

23(2) The fees to be received by the Prothonotary on
24behalf of the Trial Division and as Clerk of the Family
25Division of the Court of Common Pleas in counties of the
26first class shall be as follows:

27(i) Appeals:

28The filing of an appeal to the Supreme, 29Superior or the Commonwealth Court, 30including all services ....................	$161.00
20130HB2316PN3658 -50-
1The filing of any other appeal, 2including, but not limited to, an appeal 3from an award in compulsory arbitration, an 4appeal from administrative agencies, 5petition for a writ of certiori, appeals 6from the Municipal Court, appeals from the 7Board of View and the Board of Revision of 8Taxes .....................................	86.00
9(This appeal fee is exclusive of 10any jury listing fee set forth in 11this act. This fee does not include 12the costs of compensation of 13arbitrators. (See Pa.R.C.P. 14No.1308))
15(ii) Certifications:

16Any certification or certificate ......	$27.00
17Any exemplification ...................	54.00
18If the same involves more than one 19page, for each additional page ............	3.00
20(A certificate or certification is 21defined as the authentication of 22any record by affixing the seal of 23the court. Includes letters 24rogatory and interrogatories to 25commissioners.)
26(iii) Commencement of actions:

27Commencement of any civil action ......	172.00
28(Commencement of action includes 29the institution of any civil 30action, divorce or adoption action 20130HB2316PN3658 -51-     1by writ of summons, complaint, 2petition or report of intent to 3adopt, the filing of any 4partnership or association 5agreements or any billing pursuant 6to the Bulk Sale Act.)
7(iv) Automation maintenance fee:

8Parties - to be paid at time of 9commencement of action, appeal or 10defendant's first filing ..................	$5.00
11Nonparty - providing docket entries for 12a nonparty per docket entry each ..........	5.00
13The funds generated by this computer 14service charge shall be set aside by the 15prothonotary or the director of the civil  16judicial records office and remitted 17monthly to the First Judicial District 18procurement on behalf of the Court of 19Common Pleas of the First Judicial 20District. This fund shall be maintained in 21a dedicated account which shall be used for 22the development and implementation of 23effective and efficient automation within 24the Office of the Prothonotary or the civil  25judicial records office as well as civil 26computer hardware, services and programs in 27the First Judicial District.
28(v) Custody:

29Custody, partial custody or visitation.	$32.00
30Respondent's first responsive filing ..	16.00
20130HB2316PN3658 -52-
1Other motions and petitions - (See 2petitions and motions)
3Thirteen percent of the funds generated by the 4charge under this subparagraph shall be 5transmitted by the prothonotary or the director  6of the civil judicial records office to the 7Administrative Office to pay for the 8implementation of section 1904 (relating to 9availability of criminal charge information in 10child custody proceedings).
11(vi) Defendant's first filing:

12The filing by or on behalf of any 13defendant (or additional defendant) of an 14entry of appearance, answer, preliminary 15objections, writ to join (with entry of 16appearance) or complaint against additional 17defendant or any paper not otherwise 18provided for in this paragraph. A pleading, 19appearance or other paper not otherwise 20provided for in this act filed on behalf of 21more than one defendant shall require only 22one fee. The filing of separate initial 23pleadings by a defendant require a separate 24fee ...................................	$86.00
25(vii) Divorce:
26Commencement of action - (See 27commencement of actions)
28Defendant's first filing - (See 29defendant's first filing)
30Other petitions and motions - (See 20130HB2316PN3658 -53-     1petitions and motions)
2Praecipe to transmit: .................	$43.00
3Motion for appointment of permanent 4master ................................	322.00
5(viii) Eminent domain:
6Commencement of action by declaration 7of taking or petition for a board of view - 8(See commencement of actions)
9(x) Judicial education fee ...............	$1.00
10There shall be added to every 11commencement of action fee and defendant's 12first filing fee the additional sum of 13$1.00 for the purpose of providing funding 14for the continuing judicial education and 15training for members of the judiciary of 16the First Judicial District. The funds 17generated by this charge shall be set aside 18by the prothonotary or director of the  19civil judicial records office and remitted 20monthly to the First Judicial District 21procurement to be maintained in a separate 22account and used for judicial education and 23training.
24(xi) Judgments:
25Judgment by confession or complaint in 26confession of judgment (See Pa.R.C.P. 27Nos.2950-2974) ............................	$54.00
28Entry of judgment from other 29jurisdiction ..............................	54.00
30(xii) Liens and reimbursement agreements:
20130HB2316PN3658 -54-
1The filing of any Federal tax lien, 2Commonwealth and municipal tax liens, 3mechanics' lien or waiver of mechanics' 4lien and any other lien not specifically 5covered under this act ....................	$21.00
6(Mechanics' lien fee does not 7include commencement of action fee 8when complaint is filed.)
9(xiii) Petitions and motions:
10The filing of any petition or motion, 11excluding commencement of action (See 12commencement of actions) ..................	$27.00
13(xiv) Name search ........................	$38.00
14(xv) Subpoena:
15Issuance of subpoena as authorized by 16Pa.R.C.P. No.234.2 ........................	$5.00
17Producing a record in response to 18subpoena based on four-hour service or 19fraction thereof ..........................	$43.00
20Service beyond four hours, per hour or 21fraction thereof ..........................	11.00
22For each mile traveled (round trip) for 23service out of county .....................	00.365
24(xvi) Trial listing/jury demand ..........	$161.00
25(xvii) Record retention fee ..............	$1.00
26A record retention fee shall be added 27to every motion or petition, excluding a 28motion or petition which constitutes an 29initial filing, the additional sum of $1.00 30for the purpose of providing funding to 20130HB2316PN3658 -55-     1establish and maintain a record retention 2program for the First Judicial District. 3The funds generated by this charge shall be 4set aside by the Prothonotary or the  5director of the civil judicial records  6office and remitted monthly to the First 7Judicial District procurement to be 8maintained in a separate account and used 9for record retention purposes.
10(xviii) Prothonotary or director of the  11civil judicial records office automation 12development fee ...............................	$5.00
13In addition to any other fee authorized 14by law, an automation fee may be charged 15and collected by the prothonotary or  16director of the civil judicial records  17office upon initiation of any action or 18legal proceeding. The automation fee shall 19be deposited into a special prothonotary or  20civil judicial records office automation 21fund established for and maintained by the 22First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. 23Moneys deposited into the special 24prothonotary or civil judicial records  25office automation fund and any interest 26accrued thereon shall be used solely for 27the purpose of prothonotary or civil  28judicial records office automation, 29including automation updates.
30(xix) The prothonotary or director of the   20130HB2316PN3658 -56-     1civil judicial records office is authorized, 2with the approval of the President Judge, to 3establish fees for services required by statute 4or general rule which are not specifically 5provided for in this paragraph. Any fees so 6established shall be the same as those imposed 7for similar services. The prothonotary or  8director of the civil judicial records office 9shall not be required to receive any paper or 10perform any service until the proper fee is 11paid.
12(xx) Refunds:
13There will be no refund of any amount 14less than $15. The jury fee when paid shall 15not be refunded.
16(xxii) Special court administration fee ..	$5.00
17There shall be added to every 18commencement of action fee and defendant's 19first filing fee the additional sum of 20$5.00 for the purpose of providing funding 21for the administration of gun and zone 22courts in the First Judicial District. The 23funds generated by this charge shall be set 24aside by the prothonotary or the director  25of the civil judicial records office and 26remitted monthly to the First Judicial 27District special gun and zone court fund. 28The money in the fund and any interest 29accrued thereon shall be used solely for 30the purpose of administration of gun and 20130HB2316PN3658 -57-     1zone courts.
2(xxiii) The fees enumerated in this 3paragraph shall be exclusive of any tax, law 4library surcharge or any other surcharge or 5assessment existing or hereafter levied.

6(3) The fees to be received by the prothonotary or 
7director of the civil judicial records office on behalf of
8the Philadelphia Municipal Court in civil actions shall be as
9follows:

10(i) Commencement of civil action $0 to 11$2,000 ........................................	$20.00
12(ii) Commencement of civil actions $2,001 13to $12,000 ....................................	$40.00
14(iii) Commencement of landlord and tenant 15civil actions $0 to $2,000 ....................	$20.00
16(iv) Commencement of landlord and tenant 17actions $2,001 to $10,000 .....................	$40.00
18(v) Commencement of landlord and tenant 19civil actions over $10,000 ....................	$60.00
20(vi) Indexing ............................	$5.00
21(vii) Writ of possession .................	$4.00
22(viii) Motions (petitions) ...............	$10.00
23(ix) Additional defendant filing shall be 24same as initial filing
25(x) Counterclaim shall be same as initial 26filing
27(xi) Cross-claim shall be same as initial 28filing
29(xii) Setoffs shall be same as initial 30filing
20130HB2316PN3658 -58-
1(xiii) Subpoena ..........................	$3.00
2(xiv) Writ of revival ....................	$6.00
3(xv) Record retention fee ................	$1.00
4There shall be added to every motion the additional 5sum of $1 for the purpose of providing funding for 6establishing and maintaining a record retention 7program for the First Judicial District. The funds 8generated by this charge shall be set aside by the 9prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial  10records office and remitted monthly to the First 11Judicial District procurement to be maintained in a 12separate account and used for record retention 13purposes.
14(xvi) Automation fee:
15(A) Initial pleading in all civil 16actions and landlord tenant actions .......	$5.00
17(B) All civil petitions and motions ..	$2.00
18The funds generated by this automation fee shall 19be set aside by the prothonotary or the director 20of the civil judicial records office and 21remitted monthly to the First Judicial District.
22(xvii) The fees enumerated in this 23paragraph do not cover any costs for services 24performed by the sheriff or other writ server. 25Service of initial process shall be $27. All 26other fees of the sheriff or other writ server 27shall be in accordance with the sheriff's fee 28bill applicable to Philadelphia County.
29(xviii) The commencement of any action or 30proceeding as well as complaints and all writs 20130HB2316PN3658 -59-     1shall be exempt from any library fee or taxes.

2* * *

3(6) (i) In counties of the first class, there 4shall be charged and set apart by the officers 5receiving the fees fixed under this section an 6amount equal to 20% of the filing fees at the 7time in effect for the probate of wills, the 8issue of letters testamentary, the issue of 9letters of administration and the filing of 10accounts with the register of wills, the filing 11of accounts of trustees and guardians, and of 12all filings in the office of the prothonotary or  13the civil judicial records office of the court 14of common pleas of the county.
15(ii) The provisions of this paragraph shall 16not apply to any actions taken or initiated by 17any political subdivision.
18(iii) The funds set aside shall be remitted 19monthly to the First Judicial District and 20deposited into a family court facility fund, 21which is to be established and used by the First 22Judicial District to fund the lease, purchase 23and maintenance of appropriate family court 24facilities and for related purposes.

25(d) Counties of the second class.--In counties of the second
26class, the prothonotary and the clerk of the orphans' court
27division, or the directors of the civil and orphans' court 
28division judicial records offices, shall set apart from the fees
29fixed in this subsection or under any other statute and
30collected by them on the following actions, proceedings and

1appeals and remit monthly the total collected to the county
2treasurer for the exclusive use and benefit of the public law
3library in the county:

4* * *

5(11) The sum of $1 for the filing of an account of
6fiduciary in the office of the clerk of the orphans' court
7division [or in], the office of the prothonotary, the civil 
8judicial records office or the orphans' court division 
9judicial records office.

10* * *

11(e) Counties of the second class A.--In counties of the
12second class A, the prothonotary, the register of wills and the
13clerk of the court, and the directors of the civil, criminal and 
14orphans' court division judicial records offices shall set apart
15from the fees fixed in this subsection or under any other
16statute and collected by them on the following actions and
17proceedings and remit monthly the total collected to the county
18treasurer for the exclusive use and benefit of the public law
19library in the county if the county commissioners so request and
20in the amount they so request:

21* * *

22(3) The sum of not less than $5 nor more than $40 for
23each misdemeanor or felony case processed by the clerk of
24courts or director of the criminal judicial records office.

25§ 1725.1. Costs.

26* * *

27(a.1) Custody cases.--Except as provided in section 1725(c)
28(2)(v) (relating to establishment of fees and charges) and
29subject to subsection (f), in a custody case, the court of
30common pleas shall, in addition to the cost provided by general

1rule, assess a cost of $5. Eighty percent of the funds generated
2by the charge under this subsection shall be transmitted by the
3prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial records 
4office to the Administrative Office to pay for the
5implementation of section 1904 (relating to availability of
6criminal charge information in child custody proceedings).

7* * *

8§ 1725.4. Fee increases and automation fee.

9(a) Increasing existing fees.--

10(1) In counties of the second class A and the third
11through eighth class, including home rule counties of the
12same class, the clerk of courts or a director of a civil, 
13criminal or orphans' court division judicial records office
14may increase any fee or charge that exists as of the
15effective date of this section with the approval of the
16president judge. The amount of any increase may not be
17greater than the aggregate of the consumer price index from
18the month in which the fee was last established through June
191998.

20* * *

21(b) Automation fee for clerk of courts or judicial records 
22office.--In addition to any other fee authorized by law, an
23automation fee of not more than $5 may be charged and collected
24by the clerk of courts or the director of a civil, criminal or 
25orphans' court division judicial records office of counties of
26the second class A and the third through eighth class, including
27home rule counties of the same class, for the initiation of any
28action or legal proceeding. The automation fee shall be
29deposited into a special clerk of courts or judicial records 
30office automation fund established in each county. Moneys in the

1special fund shall be used solely for the purpose of automation
2and continued automation update of the office of the clerk of
3courts or the judicial records office.

4§ 1904. Availability of criminal charge information in child
5custody proceedings.

6* * *

7(c) Application for access to criminal charge information.--
8To obtain information about charges covered in 23 Pa.C.S. §
95329(a), a parent who has been awarded custody or partial 
10custody or who is a party to a custody proceeding must file an 
11application for access to the information with the office of the 
12prothonotary or the civil judicial records office in the county 
13where the proceeding or order was filed.

14* * *

15(2) The application must be filed with the prothonotary
16or director of the civil judicial records office by one of
17the following methods:

18(i) In person, at the office of the prothonotary or 
19the civil judicial records office, by the parent who is
20filing the application. The applicant must have a valid
21form of photoidentification available for the inspection
22of the prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial 
23records office.

24(ii) By mailing a notarized application using first
25class mail.

26(iii) By including the application with the original
27complaint, initial response or any other pleading or
28motion filed with the prothonotary or the director of the 
29civil judicial records office.

30* * *

1(4) Applications shall be made available through county
2prothonotaries or directors of civil judicial records 
3offices.

4(d) Verification of application.--The prothonotary or 
5director of the civil judicial records office shall verify and
6transmit the application to the Administrative Office within six
7business days.

8(1) Verification consists of checking court records to
9determine whether there exists an active custody proceeding
10or valid custody order remaining in effect.

11(2) The Administrative Office shall determine how the
12application is to be transmitted.

13* * *

14Section 5. Title 42 is amended by adding a section to read:

15§ 1905.1. County-level prothonotaries, clerks of the courts,
16clerks of orphans' court divisions and selected
17deputies.

18(a) Applicability.--

19(1) This section shall apply to all prothonotaries and
20clerks of the courts, elected or appointed, including those
21holding these or equivalent offices in home rule or optional
22plan of government counties. In addition, this section shall
23apply to any clerk of the orphans' court division or head of
24an equivalent office whose office is combined with a
25prothonotary or clerk of the courts office or equivalent
26office as of the effective date of this section. For purposes
27of this section, an equivalent office is one that possesses
28any of the powers and duties held by the prothonotaries,
29clerks of the courts or clerks of orphans' court divisions
30under Chapter 27 (relating to Office of the Clerk of the

1Court of Common Pleas).

2(2) This section shall apply in those counties where one
3or more of the offices described in paragraph (1) is combined
4with either the office of the register of wills or the
5recorder of deeds or both. In such counties the powers and
6duties of all other offices held in conjunction with the
7prothonotary, clerk of the courts and clerk of the orphans'
8court division office shall be transferred as provided in
9this section.

10(b) Transfer of elected officials.--

11(1) An elected official described in subsection (a)
12holding office on the effective date of this section may
13choose to either transfer to the State judicial personnel
14system or decline to do so and have his or her compensation
15and benefits remain an obligation of the county.

16(i) An elected official described in subsection (a)
17holding office on the effective date of this section may
18elect to transfer to the State judicial personnel system
19and be compensated by the Commonwealth through the
20Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts from funds
21authorized for that purpose prior to the expiration of
22his or her term by transmitting written notice of
23election to the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania.
24Upon receipt of the notice of election, the Court
25Administrator will assign the official a date when their
26transfer will become effective. On the date they become
27State judicial personnel system employees, individuals
28holding these or equivalent offices shall cease to be
29officers of their respective counties.

30(ii) An elected official described in subsection (a)

1holding office on the effective date of this section may
2decline to transfer to the State judicial personnel
3system following the transfer of his or her office to the
4unified judicial system under subsection (c) by
5transmitting written notice of election to the Court
6Administrator of Pennsylvania. Upon receipt of the notice
7of election the Court Administrator will assign the
8official a date when the transfer of his or her office
9will become effective. An official who declines to
10transfer to the State judicial personnel system will be
11placed under the supervision and control of the president
12judge of the judicial district following transfer of his
13or her office. When the official subsequently vacates his
14or her position it will automatically transfer to the
15State judicial personnel system.

16(2) If an incumbent elected prothonotary, clerk of the
17courts or clerk of the orphans' court division does not make
18an election under paragraph (1), his or her office shall be
19transferred to the State judicial personnel system either as
20of the date his or her current term of office expires or the
21date the office becomes vacant, whichever occurs first. For
22the purposes of this subsection, the current term of office
23refers to the term of office as of the effective date of this
24section.

25(c) Transfer of powers and duties of elected officials.--
26Effective either on the date an elected official described in
27subsection (a) is transferred to the State judicial personnel
28system under subsection (b)(1)(i), the date his or her office is
29transferred under subsection (b)(1)(ii) or the date his or her
30office is transferred under subsection (b)(2), whichever is

1applicable, the following shall occur:

2(1) All powers and duties held by the elected official
3and the official's offices under the Constitution of
4Pennsylvania or existing statute or general rule shall be
5transferred to the unified judicial system and placed under
6the supervision and control of the president judge of the
7judicial district.

8(2) All equipment, materials, supplies, facilities and
9moneys under the official's or the official's offices
10control, shall be transferred to the unified judicial system
11and placed under the supervision and control of the president
12judge of the judicial district.

13(3) The powers and duties formerly held by the
14transferred office shall be transferred to the appropriate
15office as provided in Chapter 27.

16(d) Transfer of deputies of elected officials.--Selected
17deputies of elected officials described in subsection (a) shall
18be transferred to the State judicial personnel system on or
19after the date the powers and duties of the officials' office
20are transferred in accordance with subsection (c). The Court
21Administrator of Pennsylvania shall establish the definition of
22a deputy for purposes of this section and criteria for selection
23of deputies to transfer to the State judicial personnel system
24as well as the date when the transfer of individual deputies
25will become effective.

26(e) Offices supervised by appointed officials.--

27(1) As of a date the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania
28shall establish, the following shall be transferred to the
29unified judicial system and placed under the supervision and
30control of the president judge of the judicial district:

1(i) Powers and duties held by a prothonotary's
2office, clerk of the courts office, clerk of the orphans'
3court division office or an equivalent office in a home
4rule or optional plan of government that is supervised by
5an appointed official in accordance with the Constitution
6of Pennsylvania or existing statute or general rule.

7(ii) All equipment, materials, supplies, facilities
8and moneys under their control.

9(2) The official of said office supervising on the
10effective date of this section goes into effect shall have
11the option of declining to transfer to the State judicial
12personnel system as provided in subsection (b)(1)(ii). An
13official who declines to transfer to the State judicial
14personnel system will be placed under the supervision and
15control of the president judge of the judicial district
16following transfer of his or her office. When the official
17subsequently vacates his or her position it will
18automatically transfer to the State judicial personnel
19system. Transfer of the appointed official's deputies shall
20be governed by subsection (d).

21(f) Compensation.--The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania
22Courts shall establish salaries and other compensation for those
23individuals entering the State judicial personnel system under
24this section.

25(g) Compensation plan.--The Administrative Office of
26Pennsylvania Courts, with the approval of the Supreme Court,
27shall, consistent with section 1724 (relating to personnel of
28the system), establish a plan for use on an ongoing basis for
29compensation of those individuals entering the State judicial
30personnel system in accordance with this section and their

1successors.

2(h) Selection, removal and vacancies.--

3(1) If a vacancy occurs in an office included in the
4State judicial personnel system under this section, the
5vacancy shall be filled, subject to the approval of the
6Supreme Court, by the president judge with the prior approval
7of the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania.

8(2) No director or deputy of a judicial records office
9who is a member of the State judicial personnel system may be
10removed without the prior written approval of the Court
11Administrator of Pennsylvania.

12(3) The Court Administrator of Pennsylvania, with the
13approval of the Supreme Court, shall establish standards and
14qualifications for individuals appointed to fill vacancies
15under paragraph (1).

16(i) Applicable personnel policies.--As of the date of
17transfer, a person transferred in accordance with this section
18shall be subject to all policies governing the personnel of the
19unified judicial system.

20Section 6. Section 2504(a) of Title 42 is amended to read:

21§ 2504. Letters of attorney.

22(a) General rule.--All letters of attorney authorizing acts
23relating to instruments or judgments may, if duly acknowledged,
24be filed in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas
25or the appropriate judicial records office of any county. Such
26filing shall be deemed a recording for the purposes of section
276106 (relating to certified exemplifications of records).

28* * *

29Section 7. Title 42 is amended by adding a chapter to read:

30CHAPTER 28

1JUDICIAL RECORDS OFFICES

2Subch.

3A. Preliminary Provisions

4B. Civil Judicial Records Office

5C. Criminal Judicial Records Office

6D. Orphans' Court Division Judicial Records Office

7SUBCHAPTER A

8PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

9Sec.

102801. Purpose and scope of chapter.

112801.1. Definitions.

122802. Place of filing of documents.

132803. Responsibility for creation, entry, maintenance and
14certification of data and certification of amicable
15judgments.

162804. Responsibility for reports to executive agencies.

172805. Funding of judicial records offices.

182806. Supervision of judicial records offices by the president
19judge.

202807. Consolidation of judicial records offices.

21§ 2801. Purpose and scope of chapter.

22(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate
23the prompt, fair and efficient administration of justice by
24transitioning the powers and duties held by the prothonotaries,
25clerks of the courts and clerks of orphans' court divisions into
26judicial records offices consisting of a civil judicial records
27office, a criminal judicial records office and an orphans' court
28division judicial records office under section 1905.1 (relating
29to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the courts, clerks of 
30orphans' court divisions and selected deputies).

1(b) Scope.--The provisions of this chapter shall apply to
2those counties where some or all of the powers and duties
3formerly held by the office of the clerk of the court of common
4pleas, or its equivalent office, have been transferred to the
5judicial records office under section 1905.1.

6(c) Effect of other provisions of law.--The provisions of
7this chapter shall not be subject to any inconsistent statute,
8home rule charter or optional plan of government in effect or
9subsequently adopted.

10§ 2801.1. Definitions.

11The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
12shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
13context clearly indicates otherwise:

14"Equivalent office." An office that possesses any of the 
15powers and duties held by the prothonotaries, clerks of the 
16courts or clerks of orphans' court divisions under Chapter 27 
17(relating to Office of the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas).

18§ 2802. Place of filing of documents.

19Where jurisdiction of any matter is by law vested in a court
20of common pleas or Philadelphia Municipal Court, all
21applications for relief or other documents relating to the
22matter shall be filed in or transferred to the appropriate
23office specified under this chapter.

24§ 2803. Responsibility for creation, entry, maintenance and
25certification of data and certification of amicable
26judgments.

27The following shall apply:

28(1) The directors of the civil judicial records office,
29the criminal judicial records office and the orphans' court
30division judicial records office shall:

1(i) Be responsible for the accurate and timely
2creation, entry, maintenance and certification of the
3record of matters pending before or determined by the
4courts of common pleas and the Philadelphia Municipal
5Court, including data and reports relating thereto.

6(ii) Within 30 days after the entry of any money
7judgment, other than upon a verdict or after a decision
8by a court, deliver to the authorities who assess for
9county tax purposes in the county where the judgment was
10entered all of the following information:

11(A) The date the judgment was entered.

12(B) The amount of the judgment.

13(C) The names of all parties to the proceeding
14in which the judgment was entered.

15(D) The addresses of the persons in favor of
16whom the judgment was entered.

17(E) The names and addresses of all assignees of
18the judgment.

19(2) Failure to perform the duties imposed by paragraph
20(1)(ii) shall not impair the validity of any judgment or the
21lien thereof.

22§ 2804. Responsibility for reports to executive agencies.

23(a) Community and Economic Development.--The civil judicial
24records office shall certify to the Department of Community and
25Economic Development a copy of any order of court incorporating,
26merging, dissolving, annexing any territory from or to,
27confirming the adoption, amendment or repeal of any home rule
28charter or optional plan of government, or otherwise affecting
29the corporate status of any municipality.

30(b) Insurance Department.--The directors of the civil and

1orphans' court judicial records offices shall make to the
2Insurance Department such periodic or special reports concerning
3matters commenced against any person subject to the supervision
4of the Insurance Department as the Insurance Department may
5specify by regulation.

6(c) Office of Attorney General.--The directors of the civil
7and criminal judicial records offices shall make to the Office
8of Attorney General such periodic or special reports concerning
9criminal matters as the Office of Attorney General may specify
10by regulation.

11(d) Department of Labor and Industry.--The director of the
12criminal judicial records office shall notify the Department of
13Labor and Industry of every conviction under the act of May 18,
141937 (P.L.665, No.176), known as the Industrial Homework Law, if
15the Department of Labor and Industry is not a party to the
16proceedings.

17(e) Department of Transportation.--The criminal judicial
18records office shall comply with the reporting requirements of
1975 Pa.C.S. (relating to vehicles).

20(f) Department of Revenue.--The director of the criminal
21judicial records office shall report to the Department of
22Revenue, for the purposes of an audit of tax returns, the name
23of any person convicted of selling, distributing, delivering or
24manufacturing or possessing with intent to sell, distribute,
25deliver or manufacture any controlled substance or designer drug
26under the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The
27Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, when the
28value of the controlled substance or the designer drug, or
29combination thereof, amounts to $1,000 or more. As used in this
30subsection, the term "convicted" includes having pleaded guilty

1or nolo contendere.

2(g) Superseding administrative office procedures and
3standards.--The manner of making any informational report
4required by or under subsections (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) or
5by or under any other similar statute by the civil, criminal or
6orphans' court judicial records office may be modified by
7procedures and standards prescribed under section 4301 (relating
8to establishment and maintenance of judicial records) with the
9approval of the Office of Attorney General.

10§ 2805. Funding of judicial records offices.

11(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to ensure that
12the salary and benefit costs of employees in offices transferred
13under section 1905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries,
14clerks of the courts, clerks of orphans' court divisions and
15selected deputies) who are members of the State judicial
16personnel system are fully funded and that all necessary
17accommodations, goods and services continue to be furnished to
18transferred offices as had previously been furnished prior to
19transfer.

20(b) Funding.--The salary and benefit costs of individuals
21transferred under section 1905.1 shall be paid by the
22Commonwealth through the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania
23Courts under section 1153 (relating to salary of controller, 
24recorder of deeds and clerk of courts in counties of third 
25class).

26(c) County obligations.--The funding set forth under
27subsection (b) is intended to fund the salary and benefit costs
28of employees in the transferred office or offices who are
29members of the State judicial personnel system. Nothing in this
30section shall be construed as relieving a county of its

1obligations under section 3722 (relating to general facilities
2and services furnished by county).

3(d) Access to leave surplus.--If the funding provided under
4this section is not sufficient to pay the salary and benefit
5costs of individuals transferred under section 1905.1, the Court
6Administrator may access the surplus of the fund established
7under section 2397(d) (relating to county payments for certain
8leave), if any surplus exists.

9§ 2806. Supervision of judicial records offices by the
10president judge.

11In addition to the powers vested in a president judge by the
12Constitution of Pennsylvania, by statute, by general rule or by
13order of the governing authority, the president judge shall have
14the following powers with regard to judicial records offices
15transferred under section 1905.1 (relating to county-level
16prothonotaries, clerks of the courts, clerks of orphans' court
17divisions and selected deputies):

18(1) General supervisory authority over the directors of
19the civil, criminal and orphans' court division judicial
20records offices in the judicial district.

21(2) Select and remove, subject to the prior written
22approval of the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania,
23directors of the civil, criminal and orphans' court judicial
24records offices and their deputies who are members of the
25State judicial personnel system under section 1905.1(h) and
26Pa.R.J.A. No. 503 (relating to staff).

27(3) Request consolidation of two or more judicial
28records offices under section 2807 (relating to consolidation
29of judicial records offices).

30§ 2807. Consolidation of judicial records offices.

1(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), in
2the interests of fair, prompt and efficient administration of
3justice, the Supreme Court may order that a judicial district's
4judicial records offices be consolidated. The Supreme Court may
5consolidate offices under this section upon request of the Court
6Administrator of Pennsylvania or the president judge of the
7judicial district or upon its own motion.

8(b) Limitations on consolidation.--Judicial records offices
9shall not be consolidated if the directors of the offices to be
10consolidated were transferred under section 1905.1 (relating to
11county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the courts, clerks of
12orphans' court divisions and selected deputies) as directors. If
13only one of the directors of the offices to be consolidated were
14director at the time of transfer under section 1905.1, the
15offices may be consolidated provided that the director becomes
16director of the consolidated office under subsection (f).

17(c) Matters filed in the consolidated office.--Upon
18consolidation, matters previously filed in the separate offices
19that comprise the consolidated office shall be filed in the
20consolidated office.

21(d) Multi-county judicial districts.--In judicial districts
22comprised of more than one county, judicial records offices from
23separate counties may be combined provided an office to receive
24filings is maintained in each county.

25(e) Name of the consolidated office.--If the judicial
26records offices are consolidated, the new office shall be known
27as the "Judicial Records Office of (the respective) County." If
28judicial records offices are consolidated, any reference in this
29chapter to an individual office comprising the consolidated
30office shall be read as referring to the consolidated office.

1(f) Director of the consolidated office.--If judicial
2records offices are consolidated under this section, there shall
3be one director to supervise the consolidated office. The
4director of a consolidated office shall have all of the powers
5and duties described in this chapter of a director of the
6individual offices that comprise the consolidated office. The
7director shall be known as the "Director of the (name of
8consolidated office)."

9(g) Offices consolidated prior to transfer.--The following
10shall apply:

11(1) If two or more of the offices governed by Chapter 27 
12(relating to office of the clerk of the court of common
13pleas) were consolidated prior to transfer under section
141905.1, they shall remain consolidated following transfer
15unless they are deconsolidated under subsection (h).

16(2) An office consisting pretransfer of two offices
17governed by Chapter 27 shall be known following transfer by
18the designation provided under subsection (e).

19(h) Deconsolidation.--In the interests of fair, prompt and
20efficient administration of justice, the Supreme Court may order
21that a judicial district's consolidated judicial records offices
22be deconsolidated. The Supreme Court may deconsolidate offices
23upon request of the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania or the
24president judge of the judicial district or upon its own motion.

25(i) Division.--

26(1) The business of the administrative staff shall be
27divided among the personnel of the civil judicial records
28office, the criminal judicial records office and orphans'
29court division judicial records office in the manner provided
30under this chapter unless two or more of the offices were

1consolidated prior to transfer under section 1905.1 or were
2consolidated after transfer under section 2807 (relating to
3consolidation of judicial records offices).

4(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the
5administrative staff shall mean the administrative staff of
6the courts of common pleas and the Philadelphia Municipal
7Court responsible for the receipt of documents transmitted to
8the court by litigants and the transmission of notice of
9orders entered by and process issued under the authority of
10the court.

11SUBCHAPTER B

12CIVIL JUDICIAL RECORDS OFFICE

13Sec.

142811. Applicability.

152812. Director of the civil judicial records office.

162813. Selection and removal of the director of the civil
17judicial records office.

182814. Seal.

192815. Civil judicial records office.

202816. Staff of the civil judicial records office.

212817. Matters or documents filed in the civil judicial records
22office.

232818. Powers and duties of the civil judicial records office.

242818.1. Incorrect debtor identified.

252819. Criminal, probate, estates and fiduciary matters.

26§ 2811. Applicability.

27The provisions of this subchapter shall apply to those
28counties where the powers and duties formerly held by the office
29of the prothonotary, or its equivalent office if the office
30holding the powers and duties set forth under Subchapter B of

1Chapter 27 (relating to prothonotaries) is called by another
2name or combined with other offices, have been transferred to
3the civil judicial records office under section 1905.1 (relating
4to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the courts, clerks of
5orphans' court divisions and selected deputies) as directors.

6§ 2812. Director of the civil judicial records office.

7(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this
8section, in each county of this Commonwealth to which this
9subchapter applies there shall be one director of the civil
10judicial records office for the court of common pleas, who shall
11be known as the "Director of the Civil Judicial Records Office
12of (the respective) County." The director of the civil judicial
13records office shall be under the supervision and control of the
14president judge of judicial district.

15(b) Director of consolidated offices.--If the office with
16the powers and duties of the civil judicial records office under
17this subchapter is consolidated with one or more other judicial
18records offices, the director of the civil judicial records
19office shall also be the director of the other office or offices
20which comprise the consolidated office and shall be designated
21as provided under section 2807(f) (relating to consolidation of 
22judicial records offices).

23(c) Multi-county judicial districts.--In multi-county
24judicial districts to which this subchapter applies, the
25director of the civil judicial records office shall be the
26director of the civil judicial records office of the branch of
27the court of common pleas established for the county in which
28the office is located unless the offices have been consolidated
29under section 2807(d).

30(d) Philadelphia.--In the first judicial district, the civil

1judicial records office shall be structured as directed by the
2administrative governing board of the first judicial district or
3by the Supreme Court.

4§ 2813. Selection and removal of the director of the civil
5judicial records office.

6The director of the civil judicial records office shall be
7selected and removed in the manner provided under section 1905.1
8(relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the courts,
9clerks of orphans' court divisions and selected deputies) as
10directors.

11§ 2814. Seal.

12The director of the civil judicial records office shall have
13custody of a counterpart of the seal of the court or courts for
14which he is the director of the civil judicial records office.

15§ 2815. Civil judicial records office.

16(a) General rule.--There shall be a civil judicial records
17office in each county of this Commonwealth to which this
18subchapter applies which shall be supervised by the director of
19the civil judicial records office for the county who shall,
20either personally, by deputy or by other duly authorized
21employees or agents of the office, exercise the powers, and
22perform the duties by law vested in and imposed upon the
23director of the civil judicial records office or the civil
24judicial records office. The civil judicial records office may
25be consolidated with one or more other offices under section
262807 (relating to consolidation of judicial records offices).

27(b) Facilities and services.--The civil judicial records
28office shall be provided with all necessary accommodations,
29goods and services under sections 2805 (relating to funding of
30judicial records offices) and 3722 (relating to general

1facilities and services furnished by county).

2§ 2816. Staff of the civil judicial records office.

3(a) General rule.--The director of the civil judicial
4records office may, subject to the approval of the president
5judge of the judicial district, appoint and remove such deputies
6and other administrative staff of the civil judicial records
7office who are not members of the State judicial personnel
8system as may be necessary.

9(b) Compensation and duties.--The following shall apply:

10(1) The director of the civil judicial records office
11may, subject to the approval of the president judge of the
12judicial district and except as otherwise provided by
13statute, home rule charter or optional plan of government,
14fix the compensation of the staff of the director's office
15who are not members of the State judicial personnel system.
16Where the compensation of the staff of the civil judicial
17records office is fixed by a county salary board, the
18director shall be a member of the salary board for such
19purpose.

20(2) The director of the civil judicial records office
21may, subject to the approval of the president judge of the
22judicial district and except as otherwise provided by
23statute, home rule charter or optional plan of government,
24fix the duties of the staff of the civil judicial records
25office.

26§ 2817. Matters or documents filed in the civil judicial
27records office.

28All matters or documents required or authorized to be filed
29in the judicial records office of the county shall be filed in
30the civil judicial records office except:

1(1) Matters or documents specified under section 2756
2(relating to matters or documents filed in the office of the
3clerk of the courts) or 2827 (relating to matters or
4documents filed in the criminal judicial records office).

5(2) Matters or documents specified under section 2776
6(relating to matters or documents filed in the office of the
7clerk of the orphans' court division) or 2837 (relating to
8matters or documents filed in the orphans' court division
9judicial records office).

10§ 2818. Powers and duties of the civil judicial records office.

11The civil judicial records office shall have the power and
12duty to:

13(1) Administer oaths and affirmations and take
14acknowledgments under section 327 (relating to oaths and
15acknowledgements), but shall not be compelled to do so in any
16matters not pertaining to the proper business of the office.

17(2) Affix and attest the seal of the court or courts to
18all the process thereof and to the certifications and
19exemplifications of all documents and records pertaining to
20the civil judicial records office and the business of the
21court or courts of which it is the civil judicial records
22office.

23(3) Enter all civil judgments, including judgments by
24confession.

25(4) Enter all satisfactions of civil judgments.

26(5) Exercise the authority of the director of the civil
27judicial records office as an officer of the court.

28(6) Exercise such other powers and perform such other
29duties as may now or hereafter be vested in or imposed upon
30the office by law, home rule charter, order or rule of court,

1or ordinance of a county governed by a home rule charter or
2optional plan of government.

3§ 2818.1. Incorrect debtor identified.

4(a) Procedure.--A creditor that files for a judgment by
5confession under section 2818(3) (relating to powers and duties
6of the civil judicial records office) shall comply with the
7Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure regarding confession of
8judgment, including any notice provisions. A debtor who has been
9incorrectly identified and had a confession of judgment entered
10against the debtor may petition the court for costs and
11reasonable attorney fees as determined by the court.

12(b) Effect on judgment.--A judgment shall not be stricken or
13opened because of a creditor's failure to provide a correctly
14identified debtor with instructions under this section regarding
15procedures to follow to strike a judgment or regarding any
16rights available to an incorrectly identified debtor.

17(c) Applicability.--This section shall apply to all
18confessions of judgment entered in the civil judicial records
19office or in the county prothonotary's office prior to the
20transfer of powers and duties under section 1905.1 (relating to
21county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the courts, clerks of
22orphans' court divisions and selected deputies) as directors.

23§ 2819. Criminal, probate, estates and fiduciary matters.

24(a) General rule.--The personnel of the civil judicial
25records office shall exercise the powers and perform the duties
26vested in or imposed upon the office by:

27(1) Subchapter C (relating to criminal judicial records
28office), where no separate clerk of the courts was authorized
29for the county prior to the transfer of powers and duties
30under section 1905.1 (relating to county-level

1prothonotaries, clerks of the courts, clerks of orphans'
2court divisions and selected deputies) as directors or the
3offices were subsequently consolidated under section 2807
4(relating to consolidation of judicial records offices).

5(2) Subchapter D (relating to the orphans' court
6division judicial records office), where no separate clerk of
7the orphans' court division was authorized for the county
8prior to the transfer of powers and duties under section
91905.1 or the offices were subsequently consolidated under
10section 2807.

11(b) Criminal matters.--Except as provided under subsection
12(a)(1), the civil judicial records office shall not exercise the
13powers and perform the duties of the criminal judicial records
14office if the powers and duties of that office have been
15transferred under section 1905.1 or the office of the clerk of
16the courts if the powers and duties have not been transferred.

17(c) Probate, estates and fiduciary matters.--Except as
18provided under subsection (a)(2), the civil judicial records
19office shall not exercise the powers and perform the duties of
20the orphans' court judicial records office if the powers and
21duties of that office have been transferred under section 1905.1
22or the office of the clerk of the orphans' court division if the
23powers and duties have not been transferred.

24SUBCHAPTER C

25CRIMINAL JUDICIAL RECORDS OFFICE

26Sec.

272821. Applicability of this subchapter.

282822. Director of the criminal judicial records office.

292823. Selection and removal of the director of the criminal
30judicial records office.

12824. Seal.

22825. Criminal judicial records office.

32826. Staff of the criminal judicial records office.

42827. Matters or documents filed in the criminal judicial
5records office.

62828. Powers and duties of the criminal judicial records
7office.

8§ 2821. Applicability of this subchapter.

9The provisions of this subchapter shall apply to those
10counties where the powers and duties formerly held by the clerk
11of the courts, or its equivalent office if the office holding
12the powers and duties set forth under Subchapter C of Chapter 27
13(relating to clerks of the courts) is called by another name or
14combined with other offices, have been transferred to the
15criminal judicial records office under section 1905.1 (relating
16to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the courts, clerks of
17orphans' court divisions and selected deputies) as directors.

18§ 2822. Director of the criminal judicial records office.

19(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided under this
20section, in each county of this Commonwealth to which this
21subchapter applies, there shall be one director of the criminal
22judicial records office for the county, who shall be known as
23the "Director of the Criminal Judicial Records Office of (the
24respective) County." The director of the criminal judicial
25records office shall be under the supervision and control of the
26president judge of the judicial district.

27(b) Director of consolidated offices.--If the office with
28the powers and duties of the criminal judicial records office
29under this subchapter is consolidated with one or more other
30judicial records offices, the director of the criminal judicial

1records office shall also be the director of the other office or
2offices which comprise the consolidated office and shall be as
3designated as provided in section 2807(f) (relating to
4consolidation of judicial records offices).

5(c) Multi-county judicial districts.--In multi-county
6judicial districts to which this subchapter applies, the
7director of the criminal judicial records office shall be the
8director of the criminal judicial records office of the branch
9of the court of common pleas established for the county in which
10the office is located unless the offices have been consolidated
11under section 2807(d).

12(d) Philadelphia.--In the first judicial district, the
13criminal judicial records office shall be structured as directed
14by the administrative governing board of the first judicial
15district or by the Supreme Court.

16§ 2823. Selection and removal of the director of the criminal
17judicial records office.

18The director of the criminal judicial records office shall be
19selected and removed in the manner provided under section 1905.1
20(relating to county-level prothonotaries, clerks of the courts,
21clerks of orphans' court divisions and selected deputies) as
22directors.

23§ 2824. Seal.

24The director of the criminal judicial records office shall
25have custody of a counterpart of the seal of the court or courts
26for which he is the director of the criminal judicial records
27office.

28§ 2825. Criminal judicial records office.

29(a) General rule.--There shall be a criminal judicial
30records office in each county of this Commonwealth to which this

1subchapter applies, which shall be supervised by the director of
2the criminal judicial records office for the county who shall,
3either personally, by deputy or by other duly authorized
4employees or agents of the office, exercise the powers, and
5perform the duties by law vested in and imposed upon the
6director of the criminal judicial records office or the criminal
7judicial records office. The criminal judicial records office
8may be consolidated with one or more other offices under section
92807 (relating to consolidation of judicial records offices).

10(b) Facilities and services.--The criminal judicial records
11office shall be provided with all necessary accommodations,
12goods and services under sections 2805 (relating to funding of
13judicial records offices) and 3722 (relating to general
14facilities and services furnished by county).

15§ 2826. Staff of the criminal judicial records office.

16(a) General rule.--The director of the criminal judicial
17records office may, subject to the approval of the president
18judge of the judicial district, appoint and remove such deputies
19and other administrative staff of the criminal judicial records
20office who are not members of the State judicial personnel
21system as may be necessary.

22(b) Compensation and duties.--The following shall apply:

23(1) The director of the criminal judicial records office
24may, subject to the approval of the president judge of the
25judicial district and except as otherwise provided by
26statute, home rule charter or optional plan of government,
27fix the compensation of the staff of the director's office
28who are not members of the State judicial personnel system.
29Where the compensation of the staff of the criminal judicial
30records office is fixed by a county salary board, the

1director shall be a member of the salary board for such
2purpose.

3(2) The director of the criminal judicial records office
4may, subject to the approval of the president judge of the
5judicial district and except as otherwise provided by
6statute, home rule charter or optional plan of government,
7fix the duties of the staff of the criminal judicial records
8office.

9§ 2827. Matters or documents filed in the criminal judicial
10records office.

11(a) General rule.--All applications for relief or other
12documents relating to the following matters shall be filed in or
13transferred to the criminal judicial records office:

14(1) Criminal matters, including all related motions and
15filings.

16(2) Road, liquor, municipal and other miscellaneous
17civil matters formerly within the jurisdiction of the courts
18of oyer and terminer, general jail delivery and quarter
19sessions of the peace.

20(3) Other matters to the extent provided by law or the
21local ordinance or resolution creating or recognizing the
22cause of action.

23(b) Exceptions.-- The following shall apply:

24(1) Subsection (a)(2) and (3) shall not be applicable in
25the fifth judicial district.

26(2) The director of the criminal judicial records office
27of any county may file in the civil judicial records office
28or the office of the prothonotary, whichever is applicable in
29the county, a written waiver of all or any part of subsection
30(a)(2) and (3), whereupon the provisions so waived shall not

1be applicable in the county.

2§ 2828. Powers and duties of the criminal judicial records
3office.

4The criminal judicial records office shall have the power and
5duty to:

6(1) Administer oaths and affirmations and take
7acknowledgments under section 327 (relating to oaths and
8acknowledgements), but shall not be compelled to do so in any
9matters not pertaining to the proper business of the office.

10(2) Affix and attest the seal of the court or courts to
11all the process thereof and to the certifications and
12exemplifications of all documents and records pertaining to
13the criminal judicial records office and the business of the
14court or courts of which it is the criminal judicial records
15office.

16(3) Enter all criminal judgments, including judgments by
17confession.

18(4) Exercise the authority of the director of the
19criminal judicial records office as an officer of the court.

20(5) Exercise such other powers and perform such other
21duties as may now or hereafter be vested in or imposed upon
22the office by law, home rule charter, order or rule of court,
23or ordinance of a county governed by a home rule charter or
24optional plan of government.

25SUBCHAPTER D

26ORPHANS' COURT DIVISION JUDICIAL RECORDS OFFICE

27Sec.

282831. Applicability of this subchapter.

292832. Director of the orphans' court division judicial records
30office.

12833. Selection and removal of director of the orphans' court
2division judicial records office.

32834. Seal.

42835. Orphans' court division judicial records office.

52836. Staff of the orphans' court division judicial records
6office.

72837. Matters or documents filed in the orphans' court division
8judicial records office.

92838. Powers and duties of the orphans' court division judicial
10records office.

11§ 2831.Applicability of this subchapter.

12The provisions of this subchapter shall apply to counties
13where the powers and duties formerly held by the clerk of the
14orphans' court division, or its equivalent office if the office
15holding the powers and duties set forth in Subchapter D of
16Chapter 27 (relating to clerks of orphans' court divisions) is
17referred to by another name or combined with other offices, have
18been transferred to the orphans' court division judicial records
19office under section 1905.1. (relating to county-level
20prothonotaries, clerks of the courts, clerks of orphans' courts
21division and selected deputies).

22§ 2832. Director of the orphans' court division judicial
23records office.

24(a) General rule.--There shall be a director of the orphans'
25court division judicial records office for the orphans' court
26division of the court of common pleas, who shall be known as the
27"Director of the Orphans' Court Division Judicial Records Office
28of (the respective) County." The director of the orphans' court
29division judicial records office shall be under the supervision
30and control of the president judge of the judicial district.

1(b) Director of consolidated offices.--If the office with 
2the powers and duties of the orphans' court division judicial 
3records office under this subchapter is consolidated with one or 
4more other judicial records offices, the director of the 
5orphans' court division judicial records office shall also be 
6the director of the other office or offices which comprise the 
7consolidated office and shall be as designated as provided in 
8section 2807(f) (relating to consolidation of judicial records 
9offices).

10(c) Multi-county judicial districts.--In multi-county
11judicial districts to which this subchapter applies, the
12director of the orphans' court division judicial records office
13shall be the director of the orphans' court division judicial
14records office of the branch of the court of common pleas
15established for the county in which the office is located unless
16the offices have been consolidated under section 2807(d).

17§ 2833. Selection and removal of director of the orphans' court
18division judicial records office.

19The director of the orphans' court division judicial records
20office shall be selected and removed in the manner provided
21under section 1905.1 (relating to county-level prothonotaries, 
22clerks of the courts, clerks of orphans' court divisions and 
23selected deputies).

24§ 2834. Seal.

25The director of the orphans' court division judicial records
26office shall have custody of a counterpart of the seal of the
27court or courts for which he is the director of the orphans'
28court division judicial records office.

29§ 2835. Orphans' court division judicial records office.

30(a) General rule.--There shall be an orphans' court division
 

1judicial records office in each county of this Commonwealth to 
2which this subchapter applies, which shall be supervised by the 
3director of the orphans' court division judicial records office 
4for the county. The director of the orphans' court division 
5judicial records office shall either personally, by deputy or 
6other duly authorized employees or agents of the office, 
7exercise the powers and perform the duties by law vested in and 
8imposed upon the director of the orphans' court division 
9judicial records office or the orphans' court division judicial 
10records office. The orphans' court division judicial records 
11office may be consolidated with one or more other offices under 
12section 2807 (relating to consolidation of judicial records 
13offices).

14(b) Necessities.--The orphans' court division judicial
15records office shall be provided with all necessary
16accommodations, goods and services under sections 2805 (relating
17to funding of judicial records offices) and 3722 (relating to
18general facilities and services furnished by county).

19§ 2836. Staff of the orphans' court division judicial records
20office.

21(a) General rule.--The director of the orphans' court
22division judicial records office may, subject to the approval of
23the president judge of the judicial district, appoint and remove
24deputies and other administrative staff of the orphans' court
25division judicial records office who are not members of the
26State judicial personnel system as may be necessary.

27(b) Compensation.--The director of the orphans' court
28division judicial records office may, subject to the approval of
29the president judge of the judicial district and except as
30otherwise provided by statute, home rule charter or optional

1plan of government, fix the compensation of the staff of the
2director's office who are not members of the State judicial
3personnel system. Where the compensation of the staff of the
4orphans' court division judicial records office is fixed by a
5county salary board, the director shall be a member of the
6salary board for such purpose.

7(c) Duties.--The director of the orphans' court division
8judicial records office may, subject to the approval of the
9president judge of the judicial district and except as otherwise
10provided by statute, home rule charter or optional plan of
11government, fix the duties of the staff of the orphans' court
12division judicial records office.

13§ 2837. Matters or documents filed in the orphans' court
14division judicial records office.

15All matters to be heard or determined in the orphans' court
16division of a court of common pleas shall be filed in or
17transferred to the orphans' court division judicial records
18office.

19§ 2838. Powers and duties of the orphans' court division
20judicial records office.

21The orphans' court division judicial records office shall
22have the power and duty to:

23(1) Administer oaths and affirmations and take
24acknowledgments under section 327 (relating to oaths and
25acknowledgments), but shall not be compelled to do so in any
26matters not pertaining to the proper business of the office.

27(2) Affix and attest the seal of the court to all the
28processes of the court and to the certifications and
29exemplifications of all documents and records pertaining to
30the orphans' court division judicial records office and the

1business of the division.

2(3) Enter all orders of the court determined in the
3division, including judgments by confession.

4(4) Enter all satisfactions of judgments entered in the
5office.

6(5) Exercise the authority of the director of the
7orphans' court division judicial records office as an officer
8of the court.

9(6) Exercise any other powers and perform any other
10duties as may be vested in or imposed upon the office by law,
11home rule charter, order or rule of court or ordinance of a
12county governed by a home rule charter or optional plan of
13government.

14Section 8. Sections 3115, 3721(a)(3) and (c)(2)(ii) and
15(iii), 3733(a.1)(1)(ii), (iii) and (v), 4302(a) and (b),
164303(a), 4305(b), 4306(b) and (c), 4327(e), 4411(b), 4431(b) and
174553(b)(2) of Title 42 are amended to read:

18§ 3115. Certification of successful completion of course of
19training.

20Upon the successful completion of the course of training and
21instruction and examination, the Administrative Office shall
22issue to a person elected or appointed as a magisterial district
23judge, arraignment court magistrate or judge a certificate in
24the form prescribed by the board, certifying that such person is
25qualified to perform his duties as required by the Constitution
26of Pennsylvania. Such certificate shall be filed in the office
27of the clerk or the judicial records office of the court of
28common pleas of the judicial district embracing the district to
29be served by the magisterial district judge, arraignment court
30magistrate or judge.

1§ 3721. County judicial center or courthouse.

2(a) General rule.--There shall be maintained at the county
3seat of each county a facility known as the county judicial
4center, which may be the existing county courthouse. The
5facility shall provide accommodations and supporting facilities
6and services for the following functions, agencies and units of
7or related to the unified judicial system:

8* * *

9(3) The office of the clerk or the judicial records 
10office of the court of common pleas of the district and the
11administrative staff of the court, including the offices of
12the prothonotary, clerk of the courts and clerk of the
13orphans' court division, and the civil, criminal and orphans' 
14court division judicial records offices.

15* * *

16(c) Child-care facilities.--

17* * *

18(2) If a child-care facility is provided under paragraph
19(1):

20* * *

21(ii) In addition to any other court cost or filing
22fee authorized to be collected by law, an additional fee
23of $5 shall be charged and collected by the prothonotary,
24clerk of orphans' court, director of the civil judicial 
25records office, director of the orphans' court division 
26judicial records office and register of wills of the
27county or by any official designated to perform the
28functions thereof for the initiation of any civil action
29or legal proceeding.

30(iii) In addition to any other court cost or filing

1fee authorized to be collected by law, an additional fee
2of $5 shall be charged and collected by the clerk of
3courts or director of the criminal judicial records 
4office of the county or by any official designated to
5perform the functions thereof for the initiation of any
6criminal proceeding for which a fee, charge or cost
7authorized on the effective date of this subsection and
8for which a conviction is obtained or guilty plea is
9entered.

10* * *

11§ 3733. Deposits into account.

12* * *

13(a.1) Additional fees.--

14(1) In addition to the court costs and filing fees
15authorized to be collected by statute:

16* * *

17(ii) An additional fee of $10 shall be charged and
18collected by the prothonotaries, clerks of orphans'
19courts, directors of civil and orphans' court division 
20judicial records offices, and registers of wills of all
21courts of common pleas, or by any officials designated to
22perform the functions thereof, for the initiation of any
23civil action or legal proceeding.

24(iii) An additional fee of $10 shall be charged by
25the clerks of courts or directors of the criminal 
26judicial records offices of all courts of common pleas,
27or by any officials designated to perform the functions
28thereof, for the initiation of any criminal proceeding
29for which a fee, charge or cost is now authorized and a
30conviction is obtained or guilty plea is entered. The
 

1additional fee under this subparagraph shall also be 
2charged and collected when a defendant is granted entry 
3into Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition or any other 
4pretrial diversionary program.

5* * *

6(v) An additional fee of $10 shall be charged and
7collected by the recorders of deeds and clerks of court
8or directors of judicial records offices, or by any
9officials designated to perform similar functions, for
10each filing of a deed, mortgage or property transfer for
11which a fee, charge or cost is now authorized. The 
12Supreme Court shall designate by financial regulations 
13which filings meet the criteria of this subparagraph.

14* * *

15§ 4302. Effect of records as notice.

16(a) Real property.--Except as otherwise provided by statute
17or prescribed by general rule adopted pursuant to section
181722(b) (relating to enforcement and effect of orders and
19process), every document affecting title to or any other
20interest in real property which is filed and indexed in the
21office of the clerk or judicial records office of the court of
22common pleas of the county where the real property is situated,
23or in the office of the clerk or judicial records office of the
24branch of the court of common pleas embracing such county in the
25manner required by the laws, procedures or standards in effect
26at the date of such filing shall be constructive notice to all
27persons of the filing and full contents of such document.

28(b) Documents relating to pending matters.--Documents
29relating to the pendency of a matter before any court filed in
30the office of the clerk or judicial records office of any court

1or other office within or related to and serving the unified
2judicial system shall be constructive notice to such persons, of
3such information and for such duration as may be provided by
4statute or prescribed by general rule adopted pursuant to
5section 4301 (relating to establishment and maintenance of
6judicial records).

7* * *

8§ 4303. Effect of judgments and orders as liens.

9(a) Real property.--Any judgment or other order of a court
10of common pleas for the payment of money shall be a lien upon
11real property on the conditions, to the extent and with the
12priority provided by statute or prescribed by general rule
13adopted pursuant to section 1722(b) (relating to enforcement and
14effect of orders and process) when it is entered of record in
15the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas or judicial 
16records office of the county where the real property is
17situated, or in the office of the clerk or judicial records 
18office of the branch of the court of common pleas embracing such
19county.

20* * *

21§ 4305. Federal judgments as liens.

22* * *

23(b) Filing requirement.--The certified transcript of the
24judgment of the United States court shall be filed in the office
25of the clerk or judicial records office of the court of common
26pleas of the county where the property is located unless the
27judgment was rendered by such United States court within the
28county where the property is located.

29* * *

30§ 4306. Enforcement of foreign judgments.

1* * *

2(b) Filing and status of foreign judgments.--A copy of any
3foreign judgment including the docket entries incidental thereto
4authenticated in accordance with act of Congress or this title
5may be filed in the office of the clerk or judicial records 
6office of any court of common pleas of this Commonwealth. The
7clerk or director of the judicial records office shall treat the
8foreign judgment in the same manner as a judgment of any court
9of common pleas of this Commonwealth. A judgment so filed shall
10be a lien as of the date of filing and shall have the same
11effect and be subject to the same procedures, defenses and
12proceedings for reopening, vacating, or staying as a judgment of
13any court of common pleas of this Commonwealth and may be
14enforced or satisfied in like manner.

15(c) Notice of filing.--

16(1) At the time of the filing of the foreign judgment,
17the judgment creditor or his attorney shall make and file
18with the office of the clerk or judicial records office of
19the court of common pleas an affidavit setting forth the name
20and last known post office address of the judgment debtor,
21and the judgment creditor. In addition, such affidavit shall
22include a statement that the foreign judgment is valid,
23enforceable and unsatisfied.

24(2) Promptly upon the filing of the foreign judgment and
25the affidavit, the clerk or director of the judicial records 
26office shall mail notice of the filing of the foreign
27judgment to the judgment debtor at the address given and
28shall make a note of the mailing in the docket. The notice
29shall include the name and post office address of the
30judgment creditor and the attorney for the judgment creditor,

1if any, in this Commonwealth. In addition, the judgment
2creditor may mail a notice of the filing of the judgment to
3the judgment debtor and may file proof of mailing with the
4clerk or director of the judicial records office. Lack of
5mailing notice of filing by the clerk or director of the 
6judicial records office shall not affect the enforcement
7proceedings if proof of mailing by the judgment creditor has
8been filed.

9* * *

10§ 4327. Transfer of custody to local museum upon application.

11* * *

12(e) Definition.--As used in this section "historical 
13document" means any document formerly belonging to a decedent or
14any other person, which document is more than 50 years old and
15which is in the custody of a register of wills, the recorder of
16deeds, the clerk of any court or the prothonotary or the 
17director of a judicial records office or the directors of a 
18civil, criminal and orphans' court division judicial records 
19office, except documents relating to adoption, divorce or
20custody.

21§ 4411. Duties of Court Administrator.

22* * *

23(b) List of certified interpreters.--The Court Administrator
24shall compile, maintain and disseminate a current list of
25interpreters certified by the Court Administrator for the courts
26through any means deemed appropriate by the Court Administrator,
27including, but not limited to, a written directory, which shall
28be maintained on file with the office of the clerk of courts or 
29the appropriate judicial records office in each judicial
30district, and through publication on the official World Wide Web

1site of the Administrative Office.

2* * *

3§ 4431. Duties of Court Administrator.

4* * *

5(b) List of certified interpreters.--The Court Administrator
6shall compile, maintain and disseminate a current list of
7interpreters certified by the Court Administrator for the courts
8through any means deemed appropriate by the Court Administrator,
9including, but not limited to, a written directory, which shall
10be maintained on file with the office of the clerk of courts or 
11the appropriate judicial records office in each judicial
12district, and through publication on the official World Wide Web
13site of the Administrative Office.

14* * *

15§ 4553. Expenses of investigating grand juries and trials
16resulting therefrom.

17* * *

18(b) Multicounty.--The expenses of any multicounty
19investigating grand jury shall be borne by the Commonwealth.

20* * *

21(2) The costs and expenses resulting from any trial of a
22person against whom a presentment has been issued by a
23multicounty investigating grand jury shall be borne by the
24Commonwealth. Costs and expenses under this subsection
25include, but are not limited to, all reasonable costs
26incurred by the county for the services of the courts, the
27trial jury, the sheriff, the clerk of courts, the director of 
28any judicial records office, the county prison, the district
29attorney and any public defender appointed by the court, and
30related costs and expenses incurred by the county in the

1course of the trial.

2* * *

3Section 9. Section 5741 of Title 42 is amended by adding a
4definition to read:

5§ 5741. Definitions.

6The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter
7shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
8meanings given to them in this section:

9"Judicial records office." As follows:

10(1) The judicial records office of the court of common
11pleas of each judicial district in which a professional
12bondsman engages in the business of a professional bondsman.

13(2) The criminal judicial records office in a county
14where such an office exists separately or is consolidated
15with another judicial records office.

16(3) In a multi-county judicial district, the judicial 
17records office for the branch of the court of common pleas 
18for the county in which a professional bondsman engages in 
19the business of a professional bondsman.

20* * *

21Section 10. Sections 5742(a), 5746(a), 5747, 6103(a)(2),
226157, 6333(a), 6363(a), 6602(d)(2), 8104(a), 8127(c) and (d)(1),
238141(6) and (7), 8142(d) and (e), 8152(a)(2), 8309(c) and (f),
248931(d) and (i) and 9728(b)(1), (2) and (3), (b.1) and (g) of
25Title 42 are amended to read:

26§ 5742. Registration and licensure required.

27(a) General rule.--No professional bondsman shall become
28surety on any undertaking, and no person shall engage in or
29continue to engage in business as a professional bondsman,
30unless he has been registered and is currently licensed as a

1professional bondsman by the Insurance Department as provided in
2this subchapter and has filed a copy of his license in the
3office of the clerk or the appropriate judicial records office 
4in the manner prescribed by general rules.

5* * *

6§ 5746. Suspension or revocation of license.

7(a) General rule.--Upon petition of the district attorney or
8by any interested person to suspend or revoke the license issued
9to any licensee under this subchapter, a rule shall issue out of
10the court of common pleas, returnable not less than ten days
11after the issuance thereof. It shall be sufficient service of
12the said rule upon any licensee to leave a copy thereof at the
13address filed by the licensee with the clerk or director of the 
14criminal judicial records office pursuant to this subchapter.

15* * *

16§ 5747. Statements by fidelity or surety companies.

17Any fidelity or surety company, authorized to act as surety
18within this Commonwealth, may execute an undertaking as surety
19by the hand of an officer, employee, agent, or attorney,
20authorized thereto by a resolution of its board of directors, a
21certified copy of which, under its corporate seal, shall be
22filed with the undertaking. Fidelity or surety companies engaged
23in the business of entering bail shall file, with the clerk of
24the court of common pleas or the director of the criminal 
25judicial records office and with the district attorney of each
26county in which bail is entered, a statement, quarterly on which
27shall appear a summary of all bail entered by such company
28during the previous quarter, together with the compensation
29charged therefor.

30§ 6103. Proof of official records.

1(a) General rule.--An official record kept within this
2Commonwealth by any court, magisterial district judge or other
3government unit, or an entry therein, when admissible for any
4purpose, may be evidenced by an official publication thereof or
5by a copy attested by the officer having the legal custody of
6the record, or by that officer's deputy, and accompanied by a
7certificate that the officer has the custody. The certificate
8may be made by any public officer having a seal of office and
9having official duties with respect to the government unit in
10which the record is kept, authenticated by the seal of that
11office, or if there is no such officer, by:

12* * *

13(2) The clerk or director of a judicial records office 
14of the court of common pleas of the judicial district
15embracing any county in which the government unit has
16jurisdiction, in the case of any government unit other than a
17Commonwealth agency.

18* * *

19§ 6157. Retention of records.

20When the copies of records are delivered to a party or his
21attorney of record for use in a deposition, they shall, after
22termination of the deposition, be delivered personally or by
23certified mail to the clerk or the judicial records office of
24the court or other body before which the action or proceeding is
25pending, and it shall be the responsibility of the party or
26attorney to transmit the receipt obtained to the custodian of
27the original records. When the records are received by the clerk
28or the judicial records office of a court or other body from a
29health care facility or from a party or his attorney of record,
30they shall be retained in the clerk's or the judicial records
 

1office's custody at all times except when actually used in the
2action or proceeding. Upon issuance of a final order terminating
3a case, the copies of the records will be promptly filed in a
4manner that protects the confidentiality of the medical
5information contained in the records by the clerk or the 
6judicial records office of the court with all other documents
7pertaining to the case until such a time as the normal retention
8period for court records expires. The copies of records shall
9then be permanently disposed of by the clerk or the judicial 
10records office in a manner that protects the confidentiality of
11the medical information contained in the records. Should the
12case be appealed, the copies of records shall be forwarded to
13the appellate court with other documents pertaining to the case
14and retained and disposed of in the manner described in this
15section.

16§ 6333. Subpoena.

17(a) General rule.--Upon application of a child, parent,
18guardian, custodian, probation officer, district attorney, or
19other party to the proceedings, the court, master, or the clerk
20or director of the appropriate judicial records office of the
21court shall issue, or the court or master may on its own motion
22issue, subpoenas requiring attendance and testimony of witnesses
23and production of papers at any hearing under this chapter.

24* * *

25§ 6363. Ordering foreign supervision.

26(a) General rule.--Subject to the provisions of this chapter
27governing dispositions and to the extent that funds are
28available the court may place a child in the custody of a
29suitable person in another state. On obtaining the written
30consent of a juvenile court of another state which has adopted

1the Uniform Juvenile Court Act or a substantially similar law,
2which includes provisions corresponding to this section and
3section 6364 (relating to supervision under foreign order), the
4court of this Commonwealth may order that the child be placed
5under the supervision of a probation officer or other
6appropriate official designated by the accepting court. One
7certified copy of the order shall be sent to the accepting court
8and another filed with the clerk or the director of the 
9appropriate judicial records office of the requesting court of
10this Commonwealth.

11* * *

12§ 6602. Prisoner filing fees.

13* * *

14(d) Implementation of filing fee assessments.--

15* * *

16(2) No sooner than 60 days after notice of the denial in
17forma pauperis status or the assessment of partial filing
18fees, the prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial 
19records office shall enter a judgment of non pros in the
20action or strike the appeal if the fees remain unpaid. The
21action or appeal may be reinstated by the court for good
22cause shown.

23* * *

24§ 8104. Duty of judgment creditor to enter satisfaction.

25(a) General rule.--A judgment creditor who has received
26satisfaction of any judgment in any tribunal of this
27Commonwealth shall, at the written request of the judgment
28debtor, or of anyone interested therein, and tender of the fee
29for entry of satisfaction, enter satisfaction in the office of
30the clerk or the judicial records office of the court where such

1judgment is outstanding, which satisfaction shall forever
2discharge the judgment.

3* * *

4§ 8127. Personal earnings exempt from process.

5* * *

6(c) Duty of employer.--

7(1) For any wage attachment arising out of a residential
8lease, the employer shall send the attached wages to the
9prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial records 
10office of the court of common pleas within 15 days from the
11close of the last pay period in each month. The employer
12shall be entitled to deduct from the moneys collected from
13each employee the costs incurred from the extra bookkeeping
14necessary to record such transactions, not exceeding $5 of
15the amount of money so collected. If an employer is served
16with more than one attachment arising out of a residential
17lease against the same judgment debtor, then the attachments
18shall be satisfied in the order in which they were served.
19Each prior attachment shall be satisfied before any effect is
20given to a subsequent attachment, subject to subsection (a)
21(3.2). Upon receipt of the wages, the prothonotary or the 
22director of the civil judicial records office of the court of
23common pleas shall record and send said wages to the judgment
24creditor-landlord.

25(2) For any wage attachment not arising out of a
26residential lease, the employer shall send the attached
27withheld wages to the prothonotary or the director of the 
28civil judicial records office of the court of common pleas to
29be recorded, and upon receipt, the wages shall be sent to the
30creditor.

1(d) Duty of judgment creditor-landlord.--

2(1) Any judgment creditor-landlord who has received
3satisfaction of any judgment pursuant to this section shall
4enter satisfaction in the office of the clerk of the court or 
5the judicial records office where such judgment is
6outstanding, which satisfaction shall forever discharge the
7judgment.

8* * *

9§ 8141. Time from which liens have priority.

10Liens against real property shall have priority over each
11other on the following basis:

12* * *

13(6) Writs which when issued and indexed by the office of
14the clerk or the judicial records office of the court of
15common pleas create liens against real property, from the
16time they are issued.

17(7) Other instruments which when entered or filed and
18indexed in the office of the clerk or the judicial records 
19office of the court of common pleas create liens against real
20property, from the time they are left for entry or filing.

21§ 8142. Endorsement of time.

22* * *

23(d) Writs and amicable judgments.--The office of the clerk
24or the judicial records office of the court of common pleas
25shall endorse upon:

26(1) Each instrument on which an amicable judgment is
27entered or which otherwise creates a lien against real
28property, the time it was left for entry or filing.

29(2) Each writ creating a lien against real property, the
30time it was issued.

1(e) Docket entries.--The office of the clerk or the judicial 
2records office of the court of common pleas shall note on the
3dockets in such office where each verdict, judgment, order,
4instrument or writ creating a lien against real property is
5entered, the time it was recorded, rendered, left for filing, or
6issued.

7§ 8152. Judicial sale as affecting lien of mortgage.

8(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this
9section, a judicial or other sale of real estate shall not
10affect the lien of a mortgage thereon, if the lien of the
11mortgage is or shall be prior to all other liens upon the same
12property except:

13* * *

14(2) Taxes, municipal claims and assessments, not at the
15date of the mortgage duly entered as a lien in the office of
16the clerk or the judicial records office of the court of
17common pleas.

18* * *

19§ 8309. Civil rights violations.

20* * *

21(c) Filing of court orders.--The prothonotary or the 
22director of the civil judicial records office of the court in
23which a civil action is brought under subsection (a) or (b)
24shall transmit two certified copies of any order issued in the
25action to each appropriate law enforcement agency having
26jurisdiction over locations where the defendant is alleged to
27have committed the act and where the defendant resides or has
28his principal place of business. The sheriff of the county in
29which the defendant resides shall serve a copy of the order on
30the defendant. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, service

1shall be by delivering a copy in hand to the defendant. Law
2enforcement agencies shall establish procedures adequate to
3ensure that all officers responsible for the enforcement of the
4order are informed of its existence and terms. When a law
5enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a
6defendant has violated the provisions of an order, the officer
7may arrest him.

8* * *

9(f) Vacated orders.--When the court vacates a temporary
10restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction
11issued under this section, the prothonotary or the director of 
12the civil judicial records office shall promptly notify in
13writing each appropriate law enforcement agency which had been
14notified of the issuance of the order and shall direct each such
15agency to destroy all records of the order, and the agency shall
16comply with the directive upon receipt of the notification.

17§ 8931. Indictment and information.

18* * *

19(d) Duties of prosecuting attorneys.--Whenever a transcript
20of proceedings, complaint and all related papers in a criminal
21proceeding where the defendant has been held for court have been
22transmitted to the clerk of court or the director of the 
23criminal judicial records office or the officer designated by
24the court, such officer, after recording the same, shall
25immediately transmit the documents or a copy thereof to the
26district attorney. The district attorney or his designee shall
27have the duty to inquire into and make full examination of all
28the facts and circumstances connected with each such case to
29determine if the facts and circumstances warrant the filing of
30an information or informations premised upon the transcript. No

1information shall be filed by the district attorney concerning
2alleged criminal violations where a preliminary hearing has not
3been held or properly waived except as prescribed by general
4rules.

5* * *

6(i) Definition.--As used in this section "district attorney"
7includes a special attorney appointed by the Attorney General in
8the manner provided by statute, an acting district attorney and
9any assistant district attorney whose authority to act for the
10district attorney under this section is evidenced by a written
11designation executed by the district attorney or acting district
12attorney and filed with the clerk or the director of the 
13criminal judicial records office of the courts.

14§ 9728. Collection of restitution, reparation, fees, costs,
15fines and penalties.

16* * *

17(b) Procedure.--

18(1) The county clerk of courts or the director of the 
19criminal judicial records office shall, upon sentencing,
20pretrial disposition or other order, transmit to the
21prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial records 
22office certified copies of all judgments for restitution,
23reparation, fees, costs, fines and penalties which, in the
24aggregate, exceed $1,000, and it shall be the duty of each
25prothonotary or director of the civil judicial records office
26to enter and docket the same of record in his office and to
27index the same as judgments are indexed, without requiring
28the payment of costs as a condition precedent to the entry
29thereof.

30(2) The clerk of courts or the director of the criminal
 

1judicial records office, in consultation with other
2appropriate governmental agencies, may transmit to the
3prothonotary or the director of the civil judicial records 
4office of the respective county certified copies of all
5judgments for restitution, reparation, fees, costs, fines and
6penalties which, in the aggregate, do not exceed $1,000, and,
7if so transmitted, it shall be the duty of each prothonotary
8or director of the civil judicial records office to enter and
9docket the same of record in his office and to index the same
10as judgments are indexed, without requiring the payment of
11costs as a condition precedent to the entry thereof.

12(3) The county clerk of courts or the director of the 
13criminal judicial records office shall, upon sentencing,
14pretrial disposition or other order, transmit to the
15Department of Probation of the respective county or other
16agent designated by the county commissioners of the county
17with the approval of the president judge of the county and to
18the county correctional facility to which the offender has
19been sentenced or to the Department of Corrections, whichever
20is appropriate, copies of all orders for restitution and
21amendments or alterations thereto, reparation, fees, costs,
22fines and penalties. This paragraph also applies in the case 
23of costs imposed under section 9721(c.1) (relating to 
24sentencing generally).

25* * *

26(b.1) Restitution file.--Upon receipt of each order from the
27clerk of courts or the director of the criminal judicial records 
28office as provided in subsection (b)(3), the department of
29probation of the respective county or other agent designated by
30the county commissioners of the county with the approval of the

1president judge of the county shall open a restitution file for
2the purposes of recording the amounts of restitution deducted by
3the Department of Corrections or county correctional facility or
4collected by the department of probation or the agent designated
5by the county commissioners of the county with the approval of
6the president judge of the county.

7* * *

8(g) Costs, etc.--Any sheriff's costs, filing fees and costs
9of the county probation department, clerk of courts, director of 
10the criminal judicial records office or other appropriate
11governmental agency, including, but not limited to, any
12reasonable administrative costs associated with the collection
13of restitution, transportation costs and other costs associated
14with the prosecution, shall be borne by the defendant and shall
15be collected by the county probation department or other
16appropriate governmental agency along with the total amount of
17the judgment and remitted to the appropriate agencies at the
18time of or prior to satisfaction of judgment.

19* * *

20Section 11. The following shall apply:

21(1) The provisions of this act are nonseverable. If any
22provision of this act or its application to any person or
23circumstance is held invalid, the remaining provisions or
24applications of this act are void.

25(2) This act shall be void if the provisions of 42
26Pa.C.S. § 1905.1(h)(1) are:

27(i) suspended by the judiciary;

28(ii) superseded by rule of court promulgated
29hereafter;

30(iii) ruled finally by a court of competent

1jurisdiction to be regulation of the practice of law; or

2(iv) otherwise rendered inoperative by judicial
3action.

4Section 12. Repeals are as follows:

5(1) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
6paragraph (2) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
7Pa.C.S. §§ 1141, 1142, 1143, 1144, 1145 and 1146.

8(2) Article XV.1 of the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323,
9No.130), known as The County Code, is repealed.

10(3) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
11paragraph (4) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
12Pa.C.S. § 1147.

13(4) Section 401.1 of act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723,
14No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, is repealed.

15(5) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
16paragraph (6) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
17Pa.C.S. §§ 1148, 1149, 1150, 1151 and 1152.

18(6) Sections 6, 7, 8, 10.1 and 11 of the act of November
191, 1971 (P.L.495, No.113), entitled, "An act providing for
20the compensation of county officers in counties of the second
21through eighth classes, for compensation of district
22attorneys in cities and counties of the first class, for
23compensation of district election officers in all counties,
24for the disposition of fees, for filing of bonds in certain
25cases and for duties of certain officers," is repealed.

26(7) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
27paragraph (8) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
28Pa.C.S. § 1153.

29(8) Section 1 of the act of May 3, 1927 (P.L.516,
30No.332), entitled "An act fixing the salaries of the county

1controller, recorder of deeds and clerk of courts in counties
2of the third class," is repealed.

3(9) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
4paragraph (10) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
5Pa.C.S. §§ 1161, 1162 and 1163.

6(10) Sections 1, 2.1 and 2.2 of the act of July 1, 1981
7(P.L.193, No.58), referred to as the Clerk of Orphans' Court
8Fee Law, are repealed.

9(11) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
10paragraph (12) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
11Pa.C.S. §§ 1164, 1165, 1166 and 1167.

12(12) Sections 2, 2.1, 2.2 and 5 of the act of April 8,
131982 (P.L.303, No.85), known as the Second Class County
14Prothonotary Fee Act, are repealed.

15(13) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
16paragraph (14) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
17Pa.C.S. § 1168.

18(14) Section 2.1 of the act of April 8, 1982 (P.L.310,
19No.87), referred to as the Recorder of Deeds Fee Law, is
20repealed.

21(15) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
22paragraph (16) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
23Pa.C.S. § 1169.

24(16) Section 1 of the act of June 18, 1982 (P.L.547,
25No.158), referred to as the Clerk of Courts Fee Law, is
26repealed.

27(17) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
28paragraph (18) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
29Pa.C.S. §§ 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174 and 1175.

30(18) Sections 1, 1.1, 1.2, 2 and 3 of the act of

1November 26, 1982 (P.L.744, No.203), referred to as the
2Prothonotary Fee Law, are repealed.

3(19) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
4paragraph (20) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
5Pa.C.S. §§ 1181, 1182 and 1183.

6(20) Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the act of October 12, 1984
7(P.L.964, No.188), referred to as the Philadelphia Quarter
8Sessions Clerk Fee Law, are repealed.

9(21) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
10paragraph (22) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
11Pa.C.S. § 1191.

12(22) Section 1 of the act of February 14, 1986 (P.L.5,
13No.3), referred to as the Second Class A County Clerk of
14Courts Fee Law, is repealed.

15(23) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
16paragraph (24) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
17Pa.C.S. § 1192.

18(24) Section 3 of the act of February 14, 1986 (P.L.7,
19No.4), referred to as the Second Class A County Prothonotary
20Fee Law, is repealed.

21(25) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
22paragraph (26) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 16
23Pa.C.S. § 1201.

24(26) Section 1791-E of the act of April 9, 1929
25(P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, is repealed.

26Section 13. A reference in any statute or part of a statute
27to:

28(1) "Clerk of the courts" shall be deemed a reference to
29the director of the criminal judicial records office in a
30county where the powers and duties of the clerk of the courts

1have been transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1905.1.

2(2) "Clerk of the orphans' court division" shall be
3deemed a reference to the director of the orphans' court
4division judicial records office in a county where the powers
5and duties of the clerk of the orphans' court division have
6been transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1905.1.

7(3) "Prothonotary" shall be deemed a reference to the
8director of the civil judicial records office in a county
9where the powers and duties of the prothonotary have been
10transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1905.1.

11(4) The "office of the clerk of the court of common
12pleas" shall be deemed a reference to the judicial records
13office in a county where the powers and duties of the office
14of the clerk of the court of common pleas have been
15transferred under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1905.1.

16(5) "Recorder of deeds" shall be deemed a reference to
17the director of the appropriate judicial records office
18following transfer under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1905.1 in a county
19where the powers and duties of the recorder of deeds were
20combined with the prothonotary, clerk of the courts or clerk
21of the orphans' court division prior to the transfer.

22(6) "Register of wills" shall be deemed a reference to
23the director of the appropriate judicial records office
24following transfer under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1905.1 in a county
25where the powers and duties of the register of wills were
26combined with the prothonotary, clerk of the courts or clerk
27of the orphans' court division prior to the transfer.

28Section 14. This act shall take effect in 60 days.