Philadelphia Municipal Court Small Claims: Filing Guide 2026

Philadelphia is the only county in Pennsylvania where small claims do not go through a Magisterial District Court. Instead, civil money disputes up to $12,000 are handled by the Philadelphia Municipal Court Civil Division, part of the First Judicial District. The courthouse is at 1339 Chestnut Street, and the filing unit operates from the 10th floor. The forms, fees, and filing process are all different from what applies in the other 66 counties.

What Makes Philadelphia Different

The rest of Pennsylvania uses the statewide AOPC Form 308A to file a civil complaint. Philadelphia uses its own form — the Statement of Claim — governed by Philadelphia Municipal Court Civil Rules rather than the Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. rules that apply everywhere else.

Other key differences:

E-filing is available. Philadelphia offers electronic filing through the ClaimIt system at the First Judicial District portal. Statewide MDCs generally require in-person or mailed paper filings.

No venue selection within Philadelphia. In other counties, you have to identify the specific magisterial district that has proper venue. In Philadelphia, all civil small claims go to the same central filing unit.

Different fee structure. Philadelphia charges flat rates — $94.75 for claims up to $2,000 and $116.75 for claims between $2,000.01 and $12,000 — under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1725.4. Statewide MDC fees scale differently and include variable county surcharges.

Payment restrictions. Philadelphia accepts business checks, money orders, and attorney checks. Personal checks are not accepted.

Service by FJD writ servers. The First Judicial District has its own official process servers, charging a $27 base fee. Outside Philadelphia, service is handled by constables or certified mail.

Filing a Statement of Claim

The Statement of Claim form requires:

• Full legal names and street addresses of all parties (P.O. boxes are not accepted for service)
• A chronological summary of the facts — what happened, when, and where
• An itemized breakdown of the amount claimed, with supporting documents
• A sworn verification under penalty of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (unsworn falsification)

Attach copies of any contracts, invoices, receipts, photographs, or correspondence that support the claim. Redact Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, and routing numbers from all attachments per the UJS Case Records Public Access Policy.

Tort claims above $2,000. If your claim involves bodily injury or property damage exceeding $2,000, you must also submit a completed Claim Fact Sheet detailing medical expenses, property estimates, and prior injury history.

Corporate Representation in Philadelphia

If a corporation, LLC, or partnership is filing the claim, the Statement of Claim must be signed by an executive officer (President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer), with documentary proof of their officer status. If someone other than an executive officer will represent the entity at the hearing, the company must complete and file PMC Form 03-127W (Appointment of Authorized Representative).

What Happens After Filing

Philadelphia schedules hearings within the same statutory window as the rest of the state — 12 to 60 days from filing. The defendant is served at least 10 days before the hearing date.

Defendants do not need to file a written answer. They can simply appear at the hearing and present their defense. If they want to counterclaim, they must file it at least 5 days before the hearing.

If the defendant does not appear, the judge can enter a default judgment — but only after you testify under oath and present evidence establishing both liability and the dollar amount of damages. A no-show is not an automatic win.

The Appeal Process

A losing party has 30 calendar days to file a Notice of Appeal to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The appeal is de novo — a completely fresh trial with no reference to the Municipal Court hearing. Common Pleas filing fees run approximately $120–$160.

If the plaintiff appeals, they must file a formal Court of Common Pleas Complaint within 20 days of the Notice of Appeal. Missing that deadline lets the defendant enter a Judgment of Non Pros, terminating the case.

Resources for Philadelphia Filers

• Statement of Claim form and instructions — Available at courts.phila.gov or in person at the First Filing Unit
• Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) — Free civil legal assistance for income-eligible Philadelphia residents at clsphila.org
• Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) — Additional free legal services at philalegal.org

For a step-by-step walkthrough covering both the Philadelphia Municipal Court and statewide Magisterial District Court filing processes, see the Pennsylvania Small Claims Filing Guide.

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