What it costs to file in Pennsylvania
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
| Claim up to | Fee | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | $68.50 | 204 Pa. Code §29.402 (42 Pa.C.S. §1725.1) |
| $2,000 | $91 | 204 Pa. Code §29.402 (42 Pa.C.S. §1725.1) |
| $4,000 | $114 | 204 Pa. Code §29.402 (42 Pa.C.S. §1725.1) |
| $12,000 | $171 | 204 Pa. Code §29.402 (42 Pa.C.S. §1725.1) |
| Claim up to | Fee | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $94.75 | Philadelphia Municipal Court, filing fees |
| $12,000 | $116.75 | Philadelphia Municipal Court, filing fees |
More about Pennsylvania
Common questions
- What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Pennsylvania?
- $68.50 for a claim up to $500. $91 for a claim up to $2,000. $114 for a claim up to $4,000. $171 for a claim up to $12,000. That comes from 204 Pa. Code §29.402 (42 Pa.C.S. §1725.1).
- How much can you claim in small claims court in Pennsylvania?
- In the Magisterial District Court, an individual can claim up to $12,000. In the Magisterial District Court, a business can claim up to $12,000. In the Magisterial District Court, a public agency can claim up to $12,000. In the Philadelphia Municipal Court, Small Claims, an individual can claim up to $12,000. In the Philadelphia Municipal Court, Small Claims, a business can claim up to $12,000. In the Philadelphia Municipal Court, Small Claims, a public agency can claim up to $12,000. That comes from 42 Pa.C.S. §1515(a)(3), 42 Pa.C.S. §1123(a)(4).
- Which court handles small claims in Pennsylvania?
- Magisterial District Court. For every county except Philadelphia. The magisterial district judge's office for the area where the other side lives or where the dispute happened. Philadelphia Municipal Court, Small Claims. For disputes inside the City of Philadelphia.
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Pennsylvania?
- The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under 42 Pa.C.S. §5524(3). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Pennsylvania's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.
Open the court's small claims pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2026-09-05.
- 204 Pa. Code §29.402 (42 Pa.C.S. §1725.1) · effective 2026-01-01 · For 2026 the filing cost is $68.50 for claims up to $500, $91.00 up to $2,000, $114.00 up to $4,000, and $171.00 up to $12,000. Service costs are added.
- Philadelphia Municipal Court, filing fees · effective 2026-09-05 · With one defendant served by the court in Philadelphia, the total is $94.75 for claims up to $2,000 and $116.75 for claims up to $12,000. It is $27 less when you arrange service yourself, and each extra defendant adds to it.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.