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Small claims by state · checked

Court: Magisterial District Court (Philadelphia: Municipal Court). Claims up to $12,000. Each fact below links to the official source we read. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.

Limit

$12,000

Civil claims where the sum demanded does not exceed $12,000, exclusive of interest and costs (42 Pa.C.S. 1515(a)(3)). Claims against a Commonwealth party and cases involving title to real estate are excluded. No separate lower limit for businesses was found.

Source: 42 Pa.C.S. 1515 - Jurisdiction and venue (magisterial district judges) · checked 25 Oct 2026

Filing fee

$68.50 to $171

Statewide magisterial district judge costs for civil cases in calendar year 2026: $68.50 for $500 or less; $91.00 for over $500 to $2,000; $114.00 for over $2,000 to $4,000; $171.00 for $4,001 to $12,000. Postage and registered mail are extra and paid by the plaintiff; counties add service (constable/sheriff) and other charges. Philadelphia Municipal Court fees: unverified.

Source: 204 Pa. Code 29.402 - 42 Pa.C.S. 1725.1 Costs (calendar year 2026) · checked 25 Oct 2026

Lawyers

Lawyers allowed

Individuals may represent themselves, use a lawyer, or use a representative with personal knowledge and written authorization. Corporations may appear through a lawyer, an officer, or an employee/authorized agent with personal knowledge and written authorization from an officer (Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 207).

Source: Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 207 - Representation in Magisterial District Court Proceedings · checked 25 Oct 2026

Serving a corporation

See how

Serve a corporation on an executive officer, partner or trustee; on an agent or person in charge at any office or usual place of business; on an agent appointed to receive service of process; or by certified mail (or comparable delivery with a return receipt) to its regular place of business, with the receipt showing the corporation received it (Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 310). The magisterial district judge sends the complaint to the sheriff or a certified constable for service, or mails it by certified mail at the plaintiff's option; service must be made at least 10 days before the hearing (Rule 307).

Sources: Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 310 - Service Upon Corporations; Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 307 - Service of the Complaint · checked 25 Oct 2026

Demand before suing

Check with your court Not verified

We could not confirm this from an official source. Ask the court clerk before you file.

Official self-help

Check with your court Not verified

We could not confirm this from an official source. Ask the court clerk before you file.

Suing Meta from Pennsylvania

Meta’s terms point disputes to California courts or arbitration and cap its liability, so a Pennsylvania small-claims case is leverage, not a sure thing. Read the small-claims checklist before you pay a fee, then draft your demand letter in the free kit: pick Pennsylvania and it checks your loss amount against the limit.

Fees and limits change, and local courts can add costs. Confirm with the court clerk before you file.

LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Draft the demand letter

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Pennsylvania small claims, answered

What is the small-claims limit in Pennsylvania?
Civil claims where the sum demanded does not exceed $12,000, exclusive of interest and costs (42 Pa.C.S. 1515(a)(3)). Claims against a Commonwealth party and cases involving title to real estate are excluded. No separate lower limit for businesses was found.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Pennsylvania?
Statewide magisterial district judge costs for civil cases in calendar year 2026: $68.50 for $500 or less; $91.00 for over $500 to $2,000; $114.00 for over $2,000 to $4,000; $171.00 for $4,001 to $12,000. Postage and registered mail are extra and paid by the plaintiff; counties add service (constable/sheriff) and other charges. Philadelphia Municipal Court fees: unverified. Local courts can add costs.
Can I bring a lawyer to small claims in Pennsylvania?
Individuals may represent themselves, use a lawyer, or use a representative with personal knowledge and written authorization. Corporations may appear through a lawyer, an officer, or an employee/authorized agent with personal knowledge and written authorization from an officer (Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 207).
Where do these facts come from?
Each fact on this page links to the official court, statute or government source we read. We last checked Pennsylvania on 25 Oct 2026. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.
Is this legal advice?
No. LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. It shows general information from official sources; confirm with the court clerk before you file.