Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

Civil Complaints

What is the procedure for civil complaints? Must all civil complaints be filed with the county prothonotary or can the prothonotary be skipped and it go directly to the sherriff's department or a process server?


Asked on 12/26/08, 11:50 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Re: Civil Complaints

You must file with the prothonotary. The prothonotary is basically the clerk of the court, so if it isn't filed there, it doesn't exist.

Then, it has to be served by the sheriff, not a process server...must be the sheriff.

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Answered on 12/26/08, 11:54 am

Re: Civil Complaints

The prior answer is correct, but service for Complaints filed in Philadelphia can be by Sheriff or process server.

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Answered on 12/26/08, 1:36 pm


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