The writ of revival shall be substantially in the following form: [CAPTION] WRIT OF REVIVAL TO : (Name of Defendant(s) and Terre- Tenant(s))
Rule 3033.Writ of Revival. Form.
Adopted October 1, 1964 · Last amended December 19, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule supplies the form of the writ of revival, which tells each defendant and terre-tenant that a revival has begun, states the amount claimed, and warns that failing to answer within twenty days can lead to a revival judgment without a hearing.
Full Text of Rule 3033
(1) You are notified that the plaintiff has commenced a proceeding to revive the lien of the judgment entered at . (Court, Term, Number)
(2) The plaintiff claims that the amount due and unpaid is $ with interest from .
(3) You are required within twenty (20) days after service of this writ to file an answer or otherwise plead to this writ. If you fail to do so judgment of revival in the amount claimed by the plaintiff may be entered without a hearing and you may lose your property or other important rights. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE 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. (Name of Office) (Address of Office) (Telephone Number) Date: (Name of Prothonotary (Clerk)) By (Deputy)
Plain-English Summary
This rule prints the writ of revival that is served on the parties. It notifies each named defendant and terre-tenant that the creditor has begun a proceeding to revive the judgment lien, identifies the judgment, and states the amount claimed to be due with interest.
It then warns that the recipient must answer or otherwise plead within twenty days, and that failure to do so can result in a judgment of revival for the amount claimed, entered without a hearing. The form’s plain warning gives a defendant or terre-tenant fair notice of what is at stake and how to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rule 3033 provide?
The form of the writ of revival.
Why a standard writ form?
Uniformity keeps revival writs complete and consistent across cases.
Official Note
Official Note: For definition of terre tenant, see Rule 3026.2.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3033 adopted October 1, 1964, effective April 1, 1965; amended December 19, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 22. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (213389) to (213390).
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: writ of revival form