How to file small claims in Pennsylvania

Sue for up to $12,000 in the Magisterial District Court; filing fee around $100.

Pennsylvania Magisterial District Courts hear claims up to $12,000 ($10,000 in Philadelphia); either side can appeal for a new trial within 30 days.

• Dollar limit: $12,000 — $12,000 before a Magisterial District Judge ($10,000 in Philadelphia Municipal Court).
• Filing fee: $100 — About $50–$150 by amount, plus service.
• Where to file: Magisterial District Court
• Lawyers at the hearing: allowed

1. Confirm your claim is at or under the dollar limit and within the statute of limitations for your claim type.
2. Send a written demand letter first — most courts expect it, and it often gets you paid without filing.
3. Get the correct filing form (often a "Statement of Claim" or "Plaintiff's Claim") from the Magisterial District Court clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the Magisterial District Court for the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and pay the filing fee.
5. Arrange service of process so the defendant is officially notified (by the sheriff, certified mail, or a process server, per local rules).
6. Gather your evidence — contract, texts, photos, receipts, the demand letter — and bring organized copies to your hearing.
7. Show up on your court date and present your case; if you win, ask the judge how to collect the judgment.
8. Pennsylvania cases go before a Magisterial District Judge; either side may appeal to the Court of Common Pleas for a new trial within 30 days.

What are you suing for?

• Suing for unpaid loan in Pennsylvania: 4 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in Pennsylvania: 4 years to file
• Suing for property damage in Pennsylvania: 2 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in Pennsylvania: 4 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in Pennsylvania: 4 years to file

Source: 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).

Nearby states: New York ($10,000) · New Jersey ($5,000) · Ohio ($6,000) · West Virginia ($10,000) · Maryland ($5,000) · Delaware ($25,000).

General legal information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by county and court; consult a licensed attorney or your court clerk.

Updated July 2026