Rule 205.5.Cover Sheet.

Adopted February 25, 2010 · Last amended June 28, 2016 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 205.5 requires the party starting most civil actions to complete and file a cover sheet capturing case information, bars the prothonotary from accepting a new action without it, and exempts the listed family-law matters and e-filing districts that gather the same data.

Full Text of Rule 205.5

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

(a)

(1) This rule shall apply to all actions governed by the rules of civil procedure except the following:

(i) actions pursuant to the Protection from Abuse Act, Rules 1901 et seq.

(ii) actions for support, Rules 1910.1 et seq.

(iii) actions for custody, partial custody and visitation of minor children, Rules 1915.1 et seq.

(iv) actions for divorce or annulment of marriage, Rules 1920.1 et seq.

(v) actions in domestic relations generally, including paternity actions, Rules 1930.1 et seq.

(vi) voluntary mediation in custody actions, Rules 1940.1 et seq.

(2) At the commencement of any action, the party initiating the action shall complete the cover sheet set forth in subdivision (e) and file it with the prothonotary.

(b) The prothonotary shall not accept a filing commencing an action without a completed cover sheet.

(d) A judicial district which has implemented an electronic filing system pursuant to Rule 205.4 and has promulgated those procedures pursuant to Rule 239.9 shall be exempt from the provisions of this rule.

(e) The Court Administrator of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the Civil Procedural Rules Committee, shall design and publish the cover sheet. The latest version of the form shall be published on the web site of the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts at www.pacourts.us.

End

Plain-English Summary

The cover sheet feeds statewide caseload data. When a party commences an action, it completes the cover sheet set out in the rule and files it with the prothonotary, who may not accept a filing that starts a case without one. The prothonotary helps a self-represented party fill it out.

The requirement is not universal. It does not apply to the family-law matters the rule lists — Protection from Abuse, support, custody, divorce or annulment, general domestic relations, and custody mediation. A judicial district that has implemented electronic filing under Rule 205.4 and gathers the same information is also exempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the civil cover sheet for?

It captures basic information about a newly filed case for the court system. The party starting the action completes it and files it with the prothonotary, who will not accept a case-commencing filing without it.

Which cases do not need a cover sheet?

The family-law actions the rule lists — Protection from Abuse, support, custody, divorce or annulment, domestic relations generally, and custody mediation — and districts with an e-filing system that collects the same data.

Official Note

Official Note: When a defendant in an action before a magisterial district court appeals the decision to the court of common pleas, the plaintiff in the action before the magisterial district court shall complete the cover sheet when filing the complaint with the prothonotary.

Official Note: Pa.R.C.P. No. 205.4 provides for electronic filing and service of legal papers. Rule 205.4(h) permits a judicial district which has implemented an electronic filing system to be exempt from the requirements of this rule provided that the information to be gathered by the cover sheet can be captured and transmitted to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts by the electronic filing system. Pa.R.C.P. No. 239.9 provides for the promulgation of a local rule, numbered Local Rule 205.4, governing procedures for electronic filing specific to a judicial district.

Official Note: Cover sheets developed by a judicial district may be used in addition to the cover sheet required by this rule. See Rule 239.1, which requires a court that uses local cover sheets to promulgate a local rule, numbered Local Rule 205.2(b), setting forth the form of cover sheet.

Amendment History

The provisions of this § 205.5 adopted February 25, 2010, effective in ninety days, 40 Pa.B. 1395; amended June 28, 2016, effective August 1, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 3797. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (369601) to (369602).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: cover sheetcivil cover sheetcommencement of action