Self Help Center

Minor Name Change Petition Instructions and Forms
If you are looking for information on any of the topics listed below, please go to the Self Help Center, located in the Law Library on the fourth floor of the Dauphin County Courthouse, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA. At the Self Help Center you will be able to purchase a packet that may contain the information and forms you need. The Self Help Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00PM-4:00PM. If you are unable to go to the Self Help Center, the forms and instructions are available below for printing at no cost.
 
THE AVAILABLE FORMS AND COSTS ARE LISTED BELOW:

  • How to file for divorce (3301(d)) when date of separation was prior to 12-5-2016 and parties have continued to live separate and apart for a period of at least two years and the parties do not own martial property OR date of separation was on or after 12-5-2016 and parties have continued to live separate and apart for a period of at least one year and the parties do not own martial property ($10)
  • How to file for Divorce 3301(c)(1) when the filing party consents to the divorce and does not request alimony, division of property, attorney’s fees, and costs and expenses ($10)
  • How to file exceptions to the divorce master’s report and recommendation ($5)
  • How to file a custody complaint when there is no existing custody order ($10)
  • How to file a petition for modification of an existing custody order ($10)
  • How to file an emergency petition for special relief in custody ($10)
  • How to file a petition for civil contempt of an existing custody order ($10)
  • How to file an In Forma Pauperis for civil, family, orphans’ court cases ($5)
  • How to file an In Forma Pauperis for criminal law cases ($5)
  • How to file an In Forma Pauperis for expungements and petitions ($5)
  • How to file a driver’s license or registration suspension appeal ($10)
  • How to file a name change petition for an adult ($10)
  • How to file a name change petition for a minor ($10)
  • How to file a motion for continuance ($5)
  • How to file a petition to record marriage ($10)
  • How to file a demand for hearing de novo before the court ($5)
  • How to file a motion for continuance of a PFA hearing ($5)
  • How to file a petition to waive costs for all or a portion of transcript costs ($5)
  • How to file for a continuance in custody cases before a Judge ($5)
  • How to file a motion to waive seminar requirement in custody, divorce, or support cases ($5)
  • How to file a designation of temporary guardian and petition for approval of temporary guardian designation ($5)
  • How to file a petition for temporary guardianship without consent of custodial parent ($5)
  • How to file a petition for guardianship ($10)
  • How to file a  petition to waive all or a portion of parenting coordinator costs ($5)

If you are having problems downloading the forms, please call the Law Library at (717) 780-6605

THE SELF HELP CENTER STAFF AND THE STAFF IN ANY COURT OFFICE ARE NOT PERMITTED TO GIVE YOU LEGAL ADVICE. THE INFORMATION IN THE PACKETS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL ADVICE. THE COURT ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY FOR ACTIONS TAKEN BY USERS OF THESE DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING RELIANCE ON THEIR CONTENTS. IF YOU WANT TO OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF AN ATTORNEY BUT DO NOT KNOW WHOM TO CONTACT, YOU MAY CALL THE DAUPHIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE AT (717) 232-7536. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH A CUSTODY ACTION, YOU MAY CONTACT MIDPENN LEGAL SERVICES AT (717) 232-0581.


The Self Help Center Forms and Instructions
*All forms are in Adobe .pdf format



Forms and Instructions
 
stop signIf the instructions in the packets below require a Confidential Information Form, Abuse Victim Addendum and/or a Confidential Document Form, you MUST print out these forms using the links below.
  Custody Complaint Instructions and Forms
  Modification of Custody Order Instructions and Forms
  Petition for Civil Contempt of an Existing Custody Order Instructions and Forms
  Emergency Custody Petition Instructions and Forms
  Motion for Continuance in a Custody Case Before a Judge Instructions and Forms
  Petition to Waive All or a Portion of Parenting Coordinator Costs Instructions and Forms
   
  3301(c)(1) Divorce Instructions and Forms
  3301(d) Divorce Instructions and Forms
  Exceptions to The Divorce Master’s Report and Recommendation Forms and Instructions
   
  Motion to Waive Seminar Requirement Instructions and Forms
  Demand for Hearing De Novo Instructions and Forms
  Motion for Continuance for Protection from Abuse Cases Instructions and Forms
   
  Adult Name Change Instructions and Forms
  Minor Name Change Petition Instructions and Forms
   
  In Forma Pauperis (IFP) for Civil, Family, Orphans’ Court Cases Instructions and Forms
  In Forma Pauperis (IFP) for Criminal Law Cases (Excluding Expungement and Petition for Order for Limited Access) Instructions and Forms
  In Forma Pauperis (IFP) for Petitions for Expungement and Petitions for Order for Limited Access Instructions and Forms
   
  Driver's License or Registration Suspension Appeal Instructions and Forms
  Continuance Instructions and Forms
  Petition to Waive Costs for All or a Portion of Transcript Costs Instructions and Forms
   
  Designation of Temporary Guardian and Petition for Approval of Temporary Guardian Designation Instructions and Forms
  Petition for Temporary Guardian without Custodial Parent Consent Instructions and Forms
  Petition for Guardianship Instructions and Forms
  Petition to Record Marriage Instructions and Forms
 
Other Information
 
 

Custody Local Rules

 Support

Divorce Local Rules

Other Family Court Rules

 
 
Additional Resources:

Please click here for Court Related forms
Please click here for the Local Rules of Court
Please click here for Magisterial District Court Online Forms
Please click here for Prothonotary Forms
Please click here for the Dauphin County Online Services
Please click here for GTS Essentials Video Training