On motion of a party and upon such terms as it may order, the court may authorize and direct the hearing officer to take testimony of witnesses within any other county of the Commonwealth or in any other state or territory subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, or in any foreign country.
Rule 1920.61.Testimony Outside the County.
Last amended October 19, 2021 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1920.61 lets the court authorize a hearing officer to take the testimony of witnesses located outside the county in a divorce case.
Full Text of Rule 1920.61
Plain-English Summary
Witnesses are not always nearby. On a party's motion and on the terms it sets, this rule lets the court authorize and direct the hearing officer to take the testimony of witnesses outside the county, so a divorce case is not held up by the distance of a needed witness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can out-of-county witnesses testify in a divorce?
Yes. The court may authorize the hearing officer to take their testimony.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1920.61 amended October 19, 2021, effective January 1, 2022, 51 Pa.B. 6764. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (397008).
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: testimony outside county divorceout-of-county witnesshearing officer testimony