(a) The bond shall name the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as obligee, with security approved by the prothonotary, and shall be conditioned that claimant shall maintain the claim to the property or pay its value to the persons entitled thereto with costs.
Rule 3208.Bond; more than one execution.
Adopted August 30, 1965 · Last amended April 8, 1997 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThe interpleader bond names the Commonwealth as obligee with approved security and is conditioned on the claimant maintaining the claim, with a relaxed rule for household goods and protection against posting a second bond in a later execution.
Full Text of Rule 3208
(b) The claimant may file a bond without security and without order of court as to household goods and furnishings levied on by the sheriff in the household of the claimant. The court may, upon petition of the claimant and after notice and hearing, permit the filing of the claimant’s own bond without security as to any other property levied on by the sheriff.
(c) A claimant who files a bond in double the valuation of the property shall not be required during the pendency of the interpleader proceedings to file another bond in any subsequent execution against the same property but the sub- sequent execution creditor shall be made a party to the pending interpleader pro- ceedings.
Plain-English Summary
This rule governs the bond that drives the interpleader. It names the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as obligee, carries security the prothonotary approves, and is conditioned on the claimant maintaining the claim to the property. For household goods and furnishings levied on in the claimant’s own home, the claimant may file a bond without security and without a court order.
And a claimant who has filed a bond in double the property’s value need not file another bond during the interpleader if a later execution reaches the same property. The provisions tailor the bonding requirement so it secures the creditor without overburdening a claimant defending ordinary household belongings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the interpleader bond do?
It secures the creditor and is conditioned on the claimant maintaining the claim; it lets the claimant take or keep the property pending the dispute.
Is a bond with security needed for household goods?
No. For household goods and furnishings in the claimant's own home, a bond may be filed without security and without a court order.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3208 adopted August 30, 1965, effective March 1, 1966; amended April 8, 1997, effective July 1, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 2045. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (213437) to (213438).
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: interpleader bondhousehold goods bond