Small claims court in Pennsylvania (2026)

Pennsylvania small claims at a glance

Most you can sue for

$12,000

Court

Magisterial District Court (Philadelphia Municipal Court in Philadelphia)

Filing fee

$68.5–$171

Lawyers

Allowed

Appeal

Either side, 30 days

Ask for payment first

Not required by law

Can you sue in Pennsylvania small claims?

Enter the amount and the date it happened. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Where to file and how much

• Court. Small civil claims are heard by magisterial district judges; in Philadelphia, by the Philadelphia Municipal Court. An action against an individual may be filed in the magisterial district where the defendant can be served, where the cause of action arose, or where the transaction or occurrence took place; businesses can also be sued where they regularly do business.
• Limit. Up to $12,000, not counting interest and costs, for contract (assumpsit) and trespass claims. Claims involving title to real estate and claims against Commonwealth parties are excluded. A plaintiff may waive the excess over $12,000 to fit the limit, but the waiver is revoked if the defendant appeals. The Philadelphia Municipal Court has the same $12,000 limit.
• Filing fee. Statewide statutory costs for civil cases before magisterial district judges in calendar year 2026: $68.50 for $500 or less; $91.00 for $500.01-$2,000; $114.00 for $2,000.01-$4,000; $171.00 for $4,001-$12,000. Postage, service costs and other state-mandated fees are added, so the amount a court actually collects is higher. The amounts are adjusted every year by CPI.

Who can sue and who can speak in court

• Individuals may appear on their own, through an attorney, or through a representative with personal knowledge of the matter and written authorization. Corporations and partnerships may appear through an attorney, an officer or partner, or an employee or agent with personal knowledge and written authorization filed with the court. The rules do not bar assignees.
• Before you file. The magisterial district court civil rules and PALawHelp's filing guide do not require a demand for payment before filing.
• Jury and moving the case. No jury in magisterial district court. A party who appeals gets a new trial (de novo) in the court of common pleas under the regular civil rules. In Philadelphia Municipal Court there is no jury, but a de novo appeal brings a right to a jury trial.

How long you have to sue in Pennsylvania

The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Contracts, written or oral, including sales of goods: 4 years. Taking or injuring personal property: 2 years. Personal injury: 2 years.

Law: 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5525(a), 5524(2)-(3), (7)

After the hearing: appeals and collecting

Who can appeal

Either side can appeal.

Kind of appeal

A new trial in a higher court

Deadline

A party aggrieved by a money judgment may appeal within 30 days after the date the judgment is entered. The appeal is filed with the prothonotary of the court of common pleas, with a copy of the Notice of Judgment. The appeal is heard de novo under the regular civil rules. In many judicial districts, appeals from magisterial district judgments first go to compulsory arbitration under Pa.R.Civ.P. 1301-1314.

Collecting the money

If the judgment is unpaid and not appealed, the plaintiff may ask the magisterial district judge for an order of execution after 30 days and within 5 years of the judgment. A constable or sheriff then levies on the debtor's personal property. After 30 days the judgment may also be entered in the court of common pleas, where its execution and revival follow that court's rules. Pennsylvania wages are generally exempt from attachment except for support, board, residential lease judgments and a few other cases.

Good to know in Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia Municipal Court handles small claims in Philadelphia (same $12,000 limit), with its own procedures.
• Costs change every January 1 by CPI; the figures above are for calendar year 2026.
• limit.effective: the statute text does not state when the $12,000 figure took effect.

Official help and forms

• Pennsylvania courts: small claims self-help
• Pennsylvania small claims forms
• Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)

Sources

• 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515 (magisterial district judge jurisdiction) (read October 18, 2026)
• 42 Pa.C.S. § 1123 (Philadelphia Municipal Court jurisdiction) (read October 18, 2026)
• 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 (two-year limitation) (read October 18, 2026)
• 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525 (four-year limitation) (read October 18, 2026)
• 42 Pa.C.S. § 8127 (wage exemption) (read October 18, 2026)
• Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 207 (representation) (read October 18, 2026)
• Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 302 (venue) (read October 18, 2026)
• Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 402 (order of execution) (read October 18, 2026)
• Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 1002 (time and method of appeal) (read October 18, 2026)
• Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 1007 (procedure on appeal) (read October 18, 2026)
• 2026 costs regulations, 204 Pa. Code § 29.402 (No. 644 Judicial Administration Docket attachment) (read October 18, 2026)
• PALawHelp: Magisterial District Judge Court: Filing Suit (read October 18, 2026)
• UJS forms for the public (read October 18, 2026)

Court information, not legal advice. Limits and fees change — confirm with the court before you file. How we check: methodology.