Pennsylvania Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Pennsylvania.
Maximum Claim
$12,000
Filing Fee
$53–$103
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Minor Judiciary (Magisterial District Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Pennsylvania
Search by city, county, or ZIP code to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
How Much Can You Sue For in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $12,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Pennsylvania Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Claims up to $2,000 | $53 |
| Claims $2,001–$5,000 | $78 |
| Claims $5,001–$12,000 | $103 |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the court clerk for a fee waiver application when you file.
Statutes of Limitations in Pennsylvania
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
4
years — written contract
4
years — oral contract
2
years — property damage
2
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Pennsylvania?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.
Read the demand letter guideWhere to File in Pennsylvania
Small claims cases in Pennsylvania are handled by the Minor Judiciary (Magisterial District Court). Pennsylvania has 67 county Magisterial District Courts.
Where to file: File in the magisterial district where the defendant lives or where the cause of action arose
Not sure which court you need? Our step-by-step filing guide walks you through finding the right court for your case.
Find your specific courthouse: Search for your county courthouse below ↓ — get the address, phone number, hours, and see if e-filing is available.
How to Serve the Defendant in Pennsylvania
After filing your claim, you must formally notify the defendant. This is called "service of process" and is required before your case can be heard.
Accepted methods: Personal service by constable, sheriff, or certified mail by court
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Pennsylvania Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Pennsylvania small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 30 days for new trial in Court of Common Pleas
Is e-filing available?
No, e-filing is not currently available for small claims in Pennsylvania. You must file in person or by mail.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Pennsylvania courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Pennsylvania Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Pennsylvania
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Adams County
Gettysburg area
(717) 334-7913
Allegheny County
Pittsburgh area
(412) 350-6715
Armstrong County
Kittanning area
(724) 543-2313
Beaver County
Beaver area
(724) 770-2000
Bedford County
Bedford area
(814) 623-6918
Berks County
Reading area
(610) 678-6721
Blair County
Hollidaysburg area
(814) 693-3080
Bradford County
Towanda area
(570) 268-5057
Bucks County
Doylestown area
(215) 638-1040
Butler County
Butler area
(724) 431-4854
Cambria County
Ebensburg area
(814) 539-9982
Cameron County
Emporium area
(814) 486-9346
Carbon County
Jim Thorpe area
(570) 325-2751
Centre County
Bellefonte area
(814) 355-6739
Chester County
West Chester area
(610) 344-6170
Clarion County
Clarion area
(814) 226-5170
Clearfield County
Clearfield area
(814) 765-5335
Clinton County
Lock Haven area
(570) 893-4086
Columbia County
Bloomsburg area
(570) 784-1868
Crawford County
Meadville area
(814) 724-2736
Cumberland County
Carlisle area
(717) 243-1773
Dauphin County
Harrisburg area
(717) 545-4143
Delaware County
Media area
(610) 534-5627
Elk County
Ridgway area
(814) 965-2663
Erie County
Erie area
(814) 451-6524
Fayette County
Uniontown area
(724) 439-2954
Forest County
Tionesta area
(814) 755-3579
Franklin County
Chambersburg area
(717) 263-5808
Fulton County
McConnellsburg area
(717) 987-3221
Greene County
Waynesburg area
(724) 627-8961
Huntingdon County
Huntingdon area
(814) 643-2270
Indiana County
Indiana area
(724) 463-8781
Jefferson County
Brookville area
(814) 938-9381
Juniata County
Mifflintown area
(717) 436-7722
Lackawanna County
Scranton area
(570) 963-6518
Lancaster County
Lancaster area
(717) 299-7896
Lawrence County
New Castle area
(724) 652-8555
Lebanon County
Lebanon area
(717) 279-0300
Lehigh County
Allentown area
(610) 432-3080
Luzerne County
Wilkes-Barre area
(272) 808-2400
Lycoming County
Williamsport area
(570) 322-6159
McKean County
Smethport area
(814) 887-5743
Mercer County
Mercer area
(724) 346-6541
Mifflin County
Lewistown area
(717) 667-9626
Monroe County
Stroudsburg area
(570) 420-3492
Montgomery County
Norristown area
(610) 272-3580
Montour County
Danville area
(570) 271-3022
Northampton County
Easton area
(610) 759-6424
Northumberland County
Sunbury area
(570) 988-4485
Perry County
New Bloomfield area
(717) 567-6365
Philadelphia County
Philadelphia area
(215) 686-2910
Pike County
Milford area
(570) 296-8108
Potter County
Coudersport area
(814) 274-9411
Schuylkill County
Pottsville area
(570) 628-1270
Snyder County
Middleburg area
(570) 374-0111
Somerset County
Somerset area
(814) 445-1535
Sullivan County
Laporte area
(570) 946-4413
Susquehanna County
Montrose area
(570) 278-5965
Tioga County
Wellsboro area
(814) 258-7138
Union County
Lewisburg area
(570) 524-8656
Venango County
Franklin area
(814) 670-0339
Warren County
Warren area
(814) 723-2260
Washington County
Washington area
(724) 228-8836
Wayne County
Honesdale area
(570) 253-4560
Westmoreland County
Greensburg area
(724) 527-3541
Wyoming County
Tunkhannock area
(570) 836-1616
York County
York area
(717) 771-4787
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Pennsylvania?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide