16.1-69.48:5 - Fees for services of juvenile and domestic relations district court judges and clerks in certain ci...
§ 16.1-69.48:5. Fees for services of juvenile and domestic relations districtcourt judges and clerks in certain civil cases.
Except as otherwise provided, upon the initial commencement of any case inthe juvenile and domestic relations district court pursuant to subdivision A3 of § 16.1-241 when the custody or visitation of a child is a subject ofcontroversy or requires determination, there shall be a filing fee of $25.However, only one $25 fee shall be required for all custody and visitationpetitions simultaneously initiated by a single petitioner. Notwithstandingany other provision of law, there shall be no other fees or costs added tothis fee as a condition of filing. No case to which this fee is applicableshall be set for hearing by the clerk until this fee has been paid except onaccount of poverty as provided in § 17.1-606. Fees shall be paid to the clerkin the jurisdiction in which the petition is filed.
This fee shall not be charged in any case brought by an agent of theCommonwealth or of a local government entity.
When service of process is had on the respondent named in a petition forwhich the filing fee established by this section has been paid, such petitionmay be reissued once by changing the return day of such process, for whichservice there shall be no charge; however, reissuance of such process shallbe within three months after the original return day.
In the case of an appeal filed pursuant to § 16.1-296, the clerk shallcollect any applicable fees for service of process of the notice of appeal inthe circuit court from the appellant prior to transmitting the case to theclerk of the circuit court. For purposes of this section, service of processin the circuit court may include service on the appellee by the sheriff orprivate process server or certified or registered mail, and service on theattorney for the appellee by regular mail.
(2003, c. 906; 2004, cc. 366, 659, 727.)