Dauphin County Small Claims: Magisterial District Court
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Dauphin County: small claims filing guide
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Which magisterial district court hears small claims in Dauphin County?
Magisterial District Courts serving Dauphin County. Civil claims where the sum demanded does not exceed $12,000 (exclusive of interest and costs) are within magisterial district judge jurisdiction under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515(a)(3). This is a standard magisterial-district-court county (Philadelphia's Municipal Court process does not apply here).
Dauphin County's MDJ administration page: civil cases are limited to amounts up to $12,000 against individuals or businesses (MDJ Administration).
How to find the right magisterial district
Dauphin County has multiple magisterial districts. You must file in a district that has venue under Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 302 — for an individual: where they can be served, where the claim arose, or where the transaction/occurrence happened; businesses have their own options (e.g., where they regularly conduct business). Not simply "any office in the county."
Official lookup tools:
- Interactive Magisterial District Court Map (from UJS Minor Courts)
- Magisterial District Judges directory
- County list with an MDJ Locator Map link: Magisterial District Judges (address, phone, fax, and an email address for each office)
County-specific filing notes
- The county pages list a Night Court (12-0-00) and Central Court (12-0-01) in addition to the district offices. We found no official statement that civil complaints are filed there — file with the district office that has venue.
- The county pages give different office counts. Use the office list, not a count.
- Office hours: call the district court office before you go.
- We did not find a published local fee schedule that replaces the statewide 2026 MDJ costs.
District court offices
Office towns below are from the UJS Magisterial District Judges directory (checked 2026-10-08) unless marked. Street addresses and phone numbers are on the linked official pages; call the office before you go — county and UJS listings do not always match exactly.
| District | Office town | Listed on |
|---|---|---|
| 12-1-01 | Harrisburg | UJS directory |
| 12-1-02 | Harrisburg | UJS directory |
| 12-1-04 | Harrisburg | UJS directory |
| 12-1-05 | Harrisburg | UJS directory |
| 12-1-06 | Harrisburg | UJS directory |
| 12-2-01 | Harrisburg | UJS directory (listed as vacant) |
| 12-2-02 | Harrisburg | UJS directory |
| 12-2-03 | Royalton | UJS directory |
| 12-2-04 | Harrisburg | county page only |
| 12-2-05 | Harrisburg | UJS directory |
| 12-3-01 | Elizabethville | UJS directory |
| 12-3-03 | Harrisburg | county page only |
| 12-3-04 | Hummelstown | UJS directory (listed as vacant) |
| 12-3-05 | Harrisburg | UJS directory |
Forms
- Civil Complaint (AOPC 308A) — statewide form, UJS Forms for the Public (PDF). UJS note: one copy with original signature for the magisterial district judge; filing and service costs are charged when you file; do not change the form's content or format.
- Authorization of Representative (AOPC 317) — needed only if someone other than you (or a business's own officer/partner) will appear for a party (PDF).
Ready to fill in your own form?
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How much does it cost to file with a magisterial district judge?
From 204 Pa. Code § 29.402 (calendar year 2026; checked 2026-10-08):
| Civil action amount | Cost |
|---|---|
| $500 or less | $68.50 |
| More than $500 but not more than $2,000 | $91.00 |
| More than $2,000 but not more than $4,000 | $114.00 |
| Between $4,001 and $12,000 | $171.00 |
These costs do not include postage/registered mail, which the plaintiff pays. Service (mail vs. constable or sheriff) can add separate costs — ask the district court office.
Lawyer required?
No. Under Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 207(A)(1) individuals may represent themselves in magisterial district court. District court staff cannot give legal advice (stated on, e.g., the Cumberland and Washington County court FAQs). Whether you should hire a lawyer depends on your case.
Businesses / companies filing
Same process as individuals — no separate business track in magisterial district court (statewide rule, Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 207, checked 2026-10-08):
- Partnerships: a lawyer, a partner, or an employee/authorized agent with personal knowledge and written authorization from a partner.
- Corporations or similar entities: a lawyer, an officer, or an employee/authorized agent with personal knowledge and written authorization from an officer.
- A non-lawyer representative must file written verification of personal knowledge and the written authorization before acting (Rule 207(B)); authorization is case-by-case, not blanket (Official Note).
- Sole proprietorship: may be represented the same way as an individual (Rule 207 Official Note).
- LLCs: Rule 207 does not name LLCs; the statewide Authorization of Representative (AOPC 317) form lists "a manager of the limited liability company that is the party" as someone who may sign the authorization.
- County-specific business rule: none found on the official county pages we checked. Use the statewide rule above.
Free section summary
- Confirm your claim fits the $12,000 limit (exclusive of interest and costs).
- Find the right magisterial district with the official map, directory, or county lookup above — venue rules decide where you can file.
- Download the statewide Civil Complaint form.
- Budget for filing costs using the 2026 statewide table, plus service and postage.
- Call the district court office to confirm hours, payment methods, and costs before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Is small claims court in Dauphin County a magisterial district court?
Yes. Small claims in Dauphin County are filed with a magisterial district judge at the Magisterial District Court for the right magisterial district.
Who hears my case?
A magisterial district judge (MDJ).
Which magisterial district court do I file in?
Under Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 302, you can sue an individual "in and only in a magisterial district where: (1) the individual may be served, or (2) the cause of action arose, or (3) a transaction or occurrence took place out of which the cause of action arose." Businesses, partnerships, insurers and government bodies have their own versions of the rule. Check with the court for the defendant's area to confirm it's the right office.
What form do I use to file?
A civil complaint, filed with the magisterial district court.
How do I look up a magisterial district court docket?
Search the UJS portal at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch.
Related guides
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.
Nearby counties
- Cumberland County small claims guide
- York County small claims guide
- Lancaster County small claims guide
- Berks County small claims guide
- Chester County small claims guide
- Luzerne County small claims guide
- Lehigh County small claims guide
- Delaware County small claims guide
- All county small claims guides
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.
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers where and how to file in Dauphin County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of Pennsylvania's Magisterial District Court Civil Complaint (AOPC 308A), your Pennsylvania Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. One membership covers every state.