Rule 1959.Forms for Use in Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation Actions. Notice and Hearing. Petition. Temporary Protection Order. Final Protection Order.

Last amended June 1, 2018 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1959 supplies the standard forms for a sexual-violence-or-intimidation protection action — the notice of hearing and order, the petition, and the temporary and final protection orders.

Full Text of Rule 1959

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(a) The Notice of Hearing and Order required by Pa.R.C.P. No. 1953 shall be identical in content to the following form: (Caption) NOTICE OF HEARING AND ORDER YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following papers, you must appear at the hearing sched- uled herein. If you fail to appear, the case may proceed against you and a FINAL order may be entered against you granting the relief requested in the petition. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for the day of , 20 at .m. in Courtroom at Court- house, , Pennsylvania. If a temporary protection order has been entered, you MUST obey the order until it is modified or terminated by the court after notice and a hearing. If you disobey that order, the police or sheriff may arrest you. A violation of this order may subject you to a charge of indirect criminal contempt. A violation may also subject you to prosecution and criminal penalties under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2265, an order entered by the court may be enforce- able in all fifty (50) States, the District of Columbia, Tribal Lands, U.S. Territo- ries and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If you travel outside of the state and intentionally violate this order, you may be subject to federal criminal proceed- ings under the Violence Against Women Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2262. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER IMMEDIATELY. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE A LAWYER REPRESENT YOU AT THE HEARING. THE COURT WILL NOT, HOWEVER, APPOINT A LAWYER FOR YOU. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR CALL THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE. IF YOU CANNOT FIND A LAWYER, YOU MAY HAVE TO PROCEED WITH- OUT ONE. County Lawyer Referral Service (insert Street Address) (insert City, State, and ZIP) (insert Phone Number) AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 The Court of Common Pleas of County is required by law to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact our office. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court. You must attend the scheduled conference or hearing. BY THE COURT: Judge Date

(b) The petition in an action filed pursuant to the Act shall be identical in content to the following form: (Caption) PETITION FOR PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF 䊐 SEXUAL VIOLENCE 䊐 SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST A MINOR CHILD 䊐 INTIMIDATION 1. Plaintiff: First Middle Last Name Plaintiff’s Address: 䊐 Plaintiff’s address is confidential pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A11. Plaintiff’s Date of Birth: I am filing this petition on behalf of 䊐 myself or 䊐 another person. If you checked ‘‘myself,’’ please answer all questions referring to yourself as ‘‘Plaintiff.’’ If you checked ‘‘another person,’’ please answer all questions refer- ring to that person as ‘‘Plaintiff,’’ and provide your name and address below. Name: Address: If you checked ‘‘another person,’’ indicate your relationship to the plaintiff: 2. Defendant: First Middle Last Name Defendant’s Address: DEFENDANT IDENTIFIERS DOB HEIGHT SEX WEIGHT RACE EYES HAIR SSN DRIVERS LICENSE # EXP DATE STATE 3. Name(s) of other designated person(s) under 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A07(b)(1): 4. Is there a relationship between Plaintiff and Defendant? . If yes, what is the relationship? 5. Have Plaintiff and Defendant been involved in any other legal proceedings? If so, state when and where the case was filed and the court docket number, if known: 6. Has Defendant been involved in any criminal proceedings? If you answered Yes, is Defendant currently on probation or parole? 7. (a) The facts of the most recent incident of sexual violence are as follows: Approximate Date: Approximate Time: Place: Describe in detail what happened, including any physical or sexual abuse, threats, injury, incidents of stalking, medical treatment sought, and/or calls to law enforcement (attach additional sheets of paper if necessary):

(b) The facts of the most recent incident of intimidation are as follows: Approximate Date: Approximate Time: Place: Describe in detail what happened, including medical treatment sought, and/or calls to law enforcement (attach additional sheets of paper if necessary): 8. If Defendant has committed prior acts of sexual violence or intimidation against Plaintiff, describe these prior incidents, and indicate approximately when such acts occurred (attach additional sheets of paper if necessary): 9. Identify the sheriff, police department, or other law enforcement agency in the area in which Plaintiff lives that should be provided with a copy of the pro- tection order: 10. Is Plaintiff in immediate and present danger from Defendant? If so, please describe: FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH ABOVE, I REQUEST THAT THE COURT ENTER A TEMPORARY ORDER AND, AFTER A HEARING, A FINAL ORDER THAT WOULD INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING RELIEF (CHECK ALL FORMS OF RELIEF REQUESTED): 䊐 A. Restrain Defendant from having any contact with the victim, including, but not limited to, entering the victim’s residence, place of employment, business, or school. 䊐 B. Prohibit indirect contact through third parties. 䊐 C. Prohibit direct or indirect contact with other designated persons. 䊐 D. Order Defendant to pay the fees of this action. 䊐 E. Order the following additional relief, not listed above: 䊐 F. Grant such other relief as the court deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, issuing an order under 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A11(b) related to the non- disclosure of the victim’s address, telephone number, whereabouts or other demo- graphic information. 䊐 G. Order the police, sheriff or other law enforcement agency to serve the Defendant with a copy of this petition, any order issued, and the order for the hearing. Plaintiff will inform the designated authority of any addresses, other than Defendant’s residence, where Defendant can be served. VERIFICATION I verify that the statements made in this petition are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authori- ties. Signature Date

(c) The Temporary Order of Court, or any continued, amended or modified Temporary Order of Court, entered pursuant to the Act shall be identical in con- tent to the following form: (Caption) TEMPORARY ORDER FOR PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF 䊐 SEXUAL VIOLENCE 䊐 SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST A MINOR CHILD 䊐 INTIMIDATION Plaintiff: First Middle Last Name Plaintiff’s address: 䊐 Plaintiff’s address is confidential pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A11. Defendant: First Middle Last Name Defendant’s Address: DEFENDANT IDENTIFIERS DOB HEIGHT SEX WEIGHT RACE EYES HAIR SSN DRIVERS LICENSE # EXP DATE STATE AND NOW, this day of , 20 , upon consideration of the attached Petition for Protection of Victims of Sexual Vio- lence or Intimidation, the court hereby enters the following Temporary Order: 䊐 Plaintiff’s request for a Temporary Protection Order is denied. 䊐 Plaintiff’s request for a Temporary Protection Order is granted. 1. The following person is protected under this order: 2. Defendant is: 䊐 A. Restrained from having any contact with the victim, including, but not limited to, entering the victim’s residence, place of employment, business, or school. 䊐 B. Prohibited from indirect contact with the victim through third parties. 䊐 C. Prohibited from direct or indirect contact with the following designated persons: 䊐 3. Additional relief, including, but not limited to, issuing an order under 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A11(b) related to the non-disclosure of the victim’s address, tele- phone number, whereabouts or other demographic information: 䊐 4. A certified copy of this order shall be provided to the sheriff or police department where Plaintiff resides and any other agency specified (insert name of agency): 䊐 5. THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ANY PRIOR PROTECTION OF VIC- TIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE OR INTIMIDATION ORDER OBTAINED BY THE SAME PLAINTIFF AGAINST THE SAME DEFENDANT. 6. THIS ORDER APPLIES IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEFENDANT AND SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL (insert expiration date) OR UNTIL OTHERWISE MODIFIED OR TERMINATED BY THIS COURT AFTER NOTICE AND A HEARING. NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT Defendant is hereby notified that violation of this order may result in arrest for indirect criminal contempt. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2265, an order entered by the court may be enforceable in all fifty (50) States, the District of Columbia, Tribal Lands, U.S. Territories and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If you travel out- side of the state and intentionally violate this order, you may be subject to federal criminal proceedings under the Violence Against Women Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2262. Consent of Plaintiff shall not invalidate this order, which can only be changed or modified through the filing of appropriate court papers for that purpose. 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A17. Defendant is further notified that violation of this order may subject him/her to prosecution and criminal penalties under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. NOTICE TO SHERIFF, POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS The police department and sheriff who have jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s resi- dence, the location where a violation of this order occurs, or where Defendant may be located, shall enforce this order. The court shall have jurisdiction over any indirect criminal contempt proceeding, either in the county where the violation occurred or where this protective order was entered. An arrest for violation of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this order may be without warrant, based solely on prob- able cause, whether or not the violation is committed in the presence of the police or any sheriff. 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A12. When Defendant is placed under arrest for violation of the order, Defendant shall be taken to the appropriate authority or authorities before whom Defendant is to be arraigned. A ‘‘Complaint for Indirect Criminal Contempt’’ shall then be completed and signed by the police officer, sheriff or Plaintiff. Plaintiff’s pres- ence and signature are not required to file the complaint. If sufficient grounds for violation of this order are alleged: (1) Defendant shall be arraigned; (2) bond set, if appropriate; and (3) both parties shall be given notice of the date of the hearing. BY THE COURT: Judge Date

(d) The form of the Affidavit of Service in a proceeding under the Act shall be substantially in the following form: (Caption) AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE I, , the undersigned, hereby state that I served a copy of the Notice of Hearing and Order, Petition and Temporary Order in the above-captioned action upon Defendant by handing the papers to at the following address: on the day of , 20 , at approximately o’clock .m. I verify that the statements made in this Affidavit are true and correct. I under- stand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. (Signature)

(Title) (Address)

(Date) THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED BY THE PERSON WHO SERVES THE DEFENDANT WITH THE NOTICE OF HEARING AND ORDER, PETITION AND TEMPORARY ORDER. IT MUST BE FILED WITH THE PROTHONOTARY OR BROUGHT TO THE COURT ON THE HEARING DATE.

(e) The Final Order of Court, or any amended, modified or extended Final Order of Court, entered pursuant to the Act shall be identical in content to the following form: (Caption) FINAL ORDER FOR PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF 䊐 SEXUAL VIOLENCE 䊐 SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST A MINOR CHILD 䊐 INTIMIDATION Plaintiff: First Middle Last Name Plaintiff’s address: 䊐 Plaintiff’s address is confidential pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A11. Defendant: First Middle Last Name Defendant’s Address: DEFENDANT IDENTIFIERS DOB HEIGHT SEX WEIGHT RACE EYES HAIR SSN DRIVERS LICENSE # EXP DATE STATE The court hereby finds that it has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter and that Defendant has been provided with reasonable notice and oppor- tunity to be heard. Defendant was served in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. No. 1954(a) and provided notice of the time, date and location of the hearing scheduled in this matter. Order Effective Date: Order Expiration Date: AND NOW, this day of , 20 , upon consideration of the attached Petition for Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation, the court hereby enters the following Final Order: It is ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED as follows: This order is entered (check one) 䊐 by agreement; 䊐 by agreement without an admission; 䊐 after a hearing and decision by the court; 䊐 after a hearing at which Defendant was not present, despite proper service being made; 䊐 by default. Without regard as to how the order was entered, this is a final order of court sub- ject to full enforcement pursuant to the Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation Act. 䊐 Plaintiff’s request for a final protection order is denied. OR 䊐 Plaintiff’s request for a final protection order is granted. 1. The following person is protected under this order: 2. Defendant is: 䊐 A. Restrained from having any contact with the victim, including, but not limited to, entering the victim’s residence, place of employment, business or school. 䊐 B. Prohibited from indirect contact with the victim through third parties. 䊐 C. Prohibited from direct or indirect contact with the following designated persons: 䊐 D. Ordered to pay the fees of this action. 䊐 3. Additional relief, including, but not limited to, issuing an order under 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A11(b) related to the non-disclosure of the victim’s address, tele- phone number, whereabouts or other demographic information: 䊐 4. Because this order followed a contested proceeding, or a hearing at which Defendant was not present, despite being served with a copy of the peti- tion, temporary order and notice of the date, time and place of the hearing, Defendant is ordered to pay an additional $100 surcharge to the court, which shall be distributed in the manner set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A05(c.1). 䊐 5. THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ANY PRIOR PROTECTION OF VIC- TIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE OR INTIMIDATION ORDER OBTAINED BY THE SAME PLAINTIFF AGAINST THE SAME DEFENDANT. NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT Defendant is hereby notified that violation of this order may result in arrest for indirect criminal contempt. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2265, an order entered by the court may be enforceable in all fifty (50) States, the District of Columbia, Tribal Lands, U.S. Territories and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If you travel out- side of the state and intentionally violate this order, you may be subject to federal criminal proceedings under the Violence Against Women Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2262. Consent of Plaintiff shall not invalidate this order, which can only be changed or modified through the filing of appropriate court papers for that purpose. 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A17. Defendant is further notified that violation of this order may subject him/her to prosecution and criminal penalties under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. NOTICE TO SHERIFF, POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS The police department and sheriff who have jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s resi- dence, the location where a violation of this order occurs, or where Defendant may be located, shall enforce this order. The court shall have jurisdiction over any indirect criminal contempt proceeding, either in the county where the violation occurred or where this protective order was entered. An arrest for violation of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this order may be without warrant, based solely on prob- able cause, whether or not the violation is committed in the presence of the police or any sheriff. 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A12. When Defendant is placed under arrest for violation of the order, Defendant shall be taken to the appropriate authority or authorities before whom Defendant is to be arraigned. A ‘‘Complaint for Indirect Criminal Contempt’’ shall then be completed and signed by the police officer, sheriff or Plaintiff. Plaintiff’s pres- ence and signature are not required to file the complaint. If sufficient grounds for violation of this order are alleged: (1) Defendant shall be arraigned; (2) bond set, if appropriate; and (3) both parties shall be given notice of the date of the hearing. BY THE COURT: Judge Date If a Final Order of Court is entered pursuant to the consent of the plaintiff and the defendant, both shall sign the order along with their counsel, if any: (Plaintiff’s signature) (Defendant’s signature) (Plaintiff’s attorney’s signature) (Defendant’s attorney’s signature)

Plain-English Summary

These cases rely on standardized paperwork so victims, courts, and police work from the same documents. This rule prints the forms: the notice of hearing and order, the petition, the temporary protection order, and the final protection order. Uniform forms make protection orders quick to issue and easy to recognize and enforce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What forms are used in a sexual-violence protection case?

The notice of hearing and order, the petition, the temporary protection order, and the final protection order.

Official Note

Official Note: See Pa.R.C.P. No. 1930.1(b). This rule may require attorneys or unrepre- sented parties to file confidential documents and documents containing confidential information that are subject to the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.

Official Note: Pa.R.C.P. No. 1959(a), (b), (c), and (e) utilize the phrase ‘‘shall be identical in content’’ in reference to the form documents provided under those subparagraphs, which include the Notice of Hearing, the Petition for Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation, the Temporary Order, and the Final Order. In using ‘‘shall be identical in content’’ rather than the more usual phrase ‘‘shall be substantially in the following form,’’ the intent of the rule is to ensure only the relevant information and relief authorized under the Act is incor- porated into any third-party generated form document while allowing for stylistic differences as to format and layout.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1959 amended October 27, 2016, effective in 60 days, 46 Pa.B. 7164; amended January 5, 2018, effective January 6, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 477; amended June 1, 2018, effective July 1, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 3520. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (390160) to (390170).

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: PSVI formssexual violence protection order formpetition for protection sexual violence