Pennsylvania Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process
Researched by the LawLintel Data Team · Sources verified 2026-08-24
- Claim limit
- $12,000excluding costs and interest; same in Philadelphia Municipal Court
- Filing fee
- $67–$167statewide MDJ tiers by claim amount
- Attorneys
- Allowed (not required)
- Court
- Magisterial District Court (Philadelphia: Municipal Court)
Pennsylvania's small-claims forum is the Magisterial District Court (MDJ) — Philadelphia uses its Municipal Court instead — with a civil claim limit of $12,000 excluding costs and interest. Filing fees follow a statewide cost table: $67 for claims to $500, rising to $167 for claims from $4,000 to $12,000, plus service costs.
MDJ hearings are quick and informal, and either side can appeal within 30 days to the Court of Common Pleas for a completely new trial — an unusually generous de novo appeal right that effectively gives litigants two chances.
Costs & fees
| Item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee — claims to $500 | $67 | Official fee |
| Filing fee — $500.01 to $2,000 | $89 | Official fee |
| Filing fee — $2,000.01 to $4,000 | $111.50 | Official fee |
| Filing fee — $4,000.01 to $12,000 | $167 | Official fee |
| Servicecertified mail or constable/sheriff | $30–$80 per defendant | Estimate |
Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Venue | The magisterial district where the defendant can be served or where the cause of action arose |
| Hearing | Set within roughly 12–60 days of filing |
| Appeal | Either party — 30 days — trial de novo in the Court of Common Pleas |
| Fee waiver | In Forma Pauperis petition available |
The process, step by step
- File the civil complaint. File with the correct Magisterial District Court office and pay the tiered fee (IFP petition if you can't afford it).
- Service. The court arranges certified-mail and/or constable service on the defendant.
- Hearing before the MDJ. Short, informal hearing; bring documents and witnesses. Judgment usually issues promptly, sometimes by mail within 5 days.
- Appeal window. Either side has 30 days to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas for a new trial — money judgments require the appellant to act within that window.
- Collect. Request an order of execution through the MDJ office or transfer the judgment to Common Pleas for broader enforcement.
Forms & where to file
The Magisterial District Court covering where the defendant lives/works or where the events occurred; in Philadelphia, the Municipal Court civil division.
- PA MDJ civil cost table (statewide, eff. 2025)
- MDJ self-help — suing in district court (example county guide)
Frequently asked questions
What is the small claims limit in Pennsylvania?
$12,000, excluding court costs and interest — both in Magisterial District Courts statewide and in Philadelphia Municipal Court.
How much does it cost to file?
Statewide tiers: $67 (to $500), $89 (to $2,000), $111.50 (to $4,000), $167 (to $12,000), plus service costs of roughly $30–$80 per defendant.
Can I appeal an MDJ judgment?
Yes — either party can appeal within 30 days to the Court of Common Pleas, where the case is tried completely fresh (de novo).
Do I need a lawyer?
No — MDJ courts are designed for self-representation. Businesses may appear through officers or employees in most claims.
Related information
Sources & verification
- Lehigh County Courts — MDJ self-help ($12,000 limit)
- PA Unified Judicial System — 2025 MDJ cost table
Official fees and statutory rules above are traceable to the listed authorities; figures marked as estimates are LawLintel editorial estimates, not government fees. Laws and fees change — last verified 2026-08-24. See our methodology and legal disclaimer.
LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.