(a) Unless a party in interest files a request for appraisal with the sheriff within ten days after the date specified in the sheriff’s notice, the sheriff without making an appraisal shall accept the value of the property set forth in the claim.
Rule 3205.Appraisal of property; appraisal fees.
Adopted August 30, 1965 · Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceUnless a party in interest requests an appraisal within ten days and advances the sheriff's fee, the sheriff proceeds without one; if requested, the sheriff appraises the property and gives notice of the value.
Full Text of Rule 3205
(b) A party requesting an appraisal shall advance the sheriff’s appraisal fee. The sheriff shall then appraise the property and immediately give notice of the amount of the appraisal by ordinary mail to all parties to whom the sheriff’s notice was mailed. The sheriff or any party in interest may apply to the court for an order fixing a special appraisal fee where the appraisal of a large quantity of property or the services of experts shall be required.
Plain-English Summary
This rule makes appraisal of the claimed property optional and party-driven. If no party in interest files a request for appraisal with the sheriff within ten days of the date in the sheriff’s notice, the sheriff proceeds without making one. A party who wants an appraisal must request it and advance the sheriff’s appraisal fee, after which the sheriff appraises the property and promptly gives notice of the amount.
The valuation matters because the interpleader bonds are set at double the value, so a party who disputes the sheriff’s figure can pay to have the property appraised. The Official Note preserves the statutory sheriff’s-fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the claimed property always appraised?
No. The sheriff appraises it only if a party in interest requests an appraisal within ten days and advances the fee.
Who pays for the appraisal?
The party requesting it advances the sheriff's appraisal fee.
Official Note
Official Note: The Sheriff’s Fee Act remains unaffected by these rules. See Act of July 6, 1984, P. L. 614, No. 127, 42 P. S. § 21101 et seq.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3205 adopted August 30, 1965, effective March 1, 1966; amended April 8, 1997, effective July 1, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 2045; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2281. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (243939).
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: appraisal interpleaderappraisal fee