(a) Service of the petition or certified emergency order, the notice and order scheduling the hearing and any temporary order in a protection of victims of sexual violence and intimidation action shall be in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. No. 1930.4 and consistent with the rules for service in protection from abuse matters.
Rule 1954.Service of Original Process. Registration of Order. Service of Petition and Order. Fees.
Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1954 governs service of the petition and any temporary or emergency order on the defendant, registration of a protection order, and related fees.
Full Text of Rule 1954
(b) An Affidavit of Service, substantially in the form set forth in Pa.R.C.P.
(c) Within 24 hours of entry of a protection order under the Act, the protho- notary shall transmit a copy of the order to the Pennsylvania State Police State- wide Registry in the manner prescribed by the Pennsylvania State Police.
(d) If a petition alleges an act of sexual violence perpetrated on a minor child, the prothonotary shall serve a copy of the petition and any protection order entered under the Act to the Department of Human Services of the Common- wealth and the county children and youth social service agency in the jurisdiction where the order was entered.
(e) Within two business days of any protection order under the Act being entered, the prothonotary shall serve a copy of the order to the police department, sheriff and district attorney in the jurisdiction where the order was entered.
(f) No fee shall be charged to the plaintiff for service of any protection order or pleading or for the registration, filing and service of any foreign protection order.
Plain-English Summary
A protection order must reach the defendant and be recorded to be enforced. This rule governs service of the petition, the notice and order scheduling the hearing, and any temporary or certified emergency order on the defendant, the registration of a protection order, and the fees involved — so police and courts can verify and enforce the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a sexual-violence protection order served and recorded?
The petition and any temporary or emergency order are served on the defendant, and a protection order is registered for enforcement.
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: service PSVI orderregister protection ordersexual violence order service