Pennsylvania small claims — Magisterial District Court overview

Home › States › Pennsylvania

Quick answer: Pennsylvania small claims have a $12,000 limit, not counting interest and costs. Outside Philadelphia you file a Civil Complaint at a Magisterial District Court; 2026 costs run $68.50 to $171 plus postage. Philadelphia has its own Municipal Court small claims office and fees. You don't need a lawyer.

Pennsylvania small claims summary card: a $12,000 cap, costs of $68.50 to $171 outside Philadelphia, and filing at a Magisterial District Court or, in Philadelphia, at Philadelphia Municipal Court. — Pennsylvania small claims at a glance.

Filing in Pennsylvania? See a filled-in sample first.

The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of Pennsylvania's Magisterial District Court Civil Complaint (AOPC 308A), the form used outside Philadelphia, using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See what's in the Playbook →

How small claims works in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has two systems for small money claims, both with a $12,000 limit. Outside Philadelphia, you file a civil complaint at a Magisterial District Court, under statewide rules, forms and costs. In Philadelphia, you file at Philadelphia Municipal Court – Small Claims, which has its own office, fees and appeal steps.

Checked October 2026. Official sources are linked in each section and under Official links below.

Jump to your county ↓

What is the small claims limit in Pennsylvania?

$12,000, not counting interest and costs, in both Magisterial District Courts and Philadelphia Municipal Court.

Magisterial District Courts: $12,000, not counting interest and costs (42 Pa.C.S. § 1515). You can give up the amount over the limit, but that waiver can be undone if the defendant appeals.
Philadelphia Municipal Court: $12,000, not counting interest and costs. It can't hear claims against a Commonwealth party such as SEPTA. It hears money claims only.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Pennsylvania?

Outside Philadelphia, 2026 (204 Pa. Code § 29.402):

$500 or less: $68.50
More than $500, up to $2,000: $91.00
More than $2,000, up to $4,000: $114.00
$4,001–$12,000: $171.00

Postage and registered mail are extra. Sheriff or constable service charges: check your court's rules. If you can't afford the costs, ask about the In Forma Pauperis petition.

Philadelphia Municipal Court, one defendant:

Served in Philadelphia (includes $27 service): $94.75 for $0 to $2,000; $116.75 for $2,000.01 to $12,000
Out of Philadelphia or private service: $67.75 for $0 to $2,000; $89.75 for $2,000.01 to $12,000

Add $5.50 for each additional name (except husband and wife), $27 for each additional Philadelphia service, and $45 per service in Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia. You can ask to file without paying the initial fee if you can't afford it. Check with the clerk for current fees.

Where do I file a small claim in Pennsylvania?

Outside Philadelphia: the magisterial district where the defendant can be served, or where the claim arose or the transaction happened (Rule 302). Find the office with the UJS court directory.
Philadelphia: the first filing office, 10th floor, 1339 Chestnut Street. Court interviewers help with the papers but don't give legal advice.

How to file in Pennsylvania: the basic steps

Outside Philadelphia, you file the Civil Complaint (AOPC 308A) in the right magisterial district and pay the costs, and the court sets a hearing 12 to 60 days after filing.

Pick the right magisterial district (or the Philadelphia filing office).
Get the defendant's exact name and street address. Check business names with the PA Corporation Bureau.
Fill out the Civil Complaint (AOPC 308A).
File and pay the costs. The court sets a hearing 12 to 60 days after filing.
The court arranges service by sheriff, constable or certified mail at least 10 days before the hearing.
Go to the hearing. The judge decides at the hearing or within 5 days.

Ready to do these steps yourself?

The clock moves fast: outside Philadelphia, the court sets a hearing 12 to 60 days after filing, so your proof needs to be ready soon after you file. The Playbook helps with each step above: a filled-in sample of AOPC 308A, every box explained, and your Pennsylvania Playbook section (listed below).

You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See what's inside →

Small claims court by Pennsylvania county

The ten largest counties, largest first. Outside Philadelphia, every county uses the same $12,000 limit, form, cost table, venue rule and 30-day appeal. Local sheriff or constable service costs aren't listed yet: check your court's rules.

County	Filing cost	Court
Philadelphia	$67.75–$116.75 (one defendant)	Phila. Municipal Court – Small Claims, 1339 Chestnut St
Allegheny	$68.50–$171 + postage	Magisterial District Courts
Montgomery	$68.50–$171 + postage	Magisterial District Courts
Bucks	$68.50–$171 + postage	Magisterial District Courts
Delaware	$68.50–$171 + postage	Magisterial District Courts
Lancaster	$68.50–$171 + postage	Magisterial District Courts
Chester	$68.50–$171 + postage	Magisterial District Courts
York	$68.50–$171 + postage	Magisterial District Courts
Berks	$68.50–$171 + postage	Magisterial District Courts
Lehigh	$68.50–$171 + postage	Magisterial District Courts

Pennsylvania county guides

Know your district? Next, get your proof in order.

The Playbook's exhibit-label guide and hearing-day outline help you put your documents in order and explain them clearly. General legal information, not advice about your case.

See how the Playbook works →

Pennsylvania small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in Pennsylvania?

$12,000, not counting interest and costs, in both Magisterial District Courts and Philadelphia Municipal Court.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Pennsylvania?

Outside Philadelphia in 2026, costs are $68.50 up to $500, $91.00 up to $2,000, $114.00 up to $4,000, and $171.00 for $4,001–$12,000, plus postage. Philadelphia Municipal Court has its own fees.

What form do I use for small claims in Pennsylvania?

Outside Philadelphia, the Civil Complaint (AOPC 308A). In Philadelphia, court interviewers at the filing office help with the papers.

When is the hearing in Pennsylvania small claims?

Outside Philadelphia, the court sets a hearing 12 to 60 days after filing, and the judge decides at the hearing or within 5 days.

How long do I have to appeal in Pennsylvania small claims?

Outside Philadelphia, 30 days. Philadelphia Municipal Court has its own appeal steps.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Pennsylvania?

No. You can file and present your own case in Magisterial District Court or, in Philadelphia, Municipal Court. Court staff can't give legal advice. Outside Philadelphia, a business can send an officer or partner, or an employee with personal knowledge of the case and written authorization filed with the court (Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. 207). In Philadelphia, check the court's rules.

Official links

Other states: pick your state on the map. Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists). Go deeper: preview the Playbook.

What's in the Pennsylvania Playbook section

Serving the other side and what to do if service fails
Hearing day, including Philadelphia mediation
Appeals to the Court of Common Pleas
Collecting with an Order of Execution
Common mistakes and a printable checklist

You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.

The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of AOPC 308A, your Pennsylvania Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. Every state and DC has a filled-in sample claim (for Mississippi, Oklahoma and Wyoming it's a sample layout we made, so you'd get the real form from the court clerk). One membership covers every state.

See the Playbook →

Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer — but if your situation is complicated, does not fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.

Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.