pettylawsuit
Official Fee Schedule
Updated February 2026

Philadelphia Court Filing FeesCalculate Your Total Court Costs

$98-176
Municipal Court
$173+
Common Pleas
$70
Sheriff Service
$8
Certified Mail

Calculate exact filing fees for Philadelphia Municipal Court and Court of Common Pleas. Get total costs including filing fees, service fees, and all court expenses upfront.

$29 service fee + court filing fees

Philadelphia Court Fee Calculator

Municipal Court

Claims up to $12,000

Filing fees: $98-176

Common Pleas Court

Claims over $12,000

Filing fees: $173+

$

Sheriff Service

$70 per defendant

Certified Mail

$8 per defendant

Private Server

~$100 per defendant

Philadelphia Court Fee Schedule

Municipal Court Filing Fees

Claims up to $2,000
$98
$2,001 - $5,000
$124
$5,001 - $10,000
$153
$10,001 - $12,000
$176

Municipal Court has jurisdiction for claims up to $12,000. No jury trials available for small claims.

Common Pleas Court Filing Fees

Claims up to $35,000
$173
$35,001 - $50,000
$223
Over $50,000
$273
Jury Trial Request
+$50

Common Pleas Court handles claims over $12,000. Consider attorney representation for complex cases.

Service of Process Fees

Sheriff Service

$70

Per defendant

  • ✓ Most reliable method
  • ✓ Official court service
  • ✓ Proof of service included
  • ✓ Multiple attempts if needed

Certified Mail

$8

Per defendant

  • ✓ Economical option
  • ✓ Return receipt included
  • ✓ Good for verified addresses
  • ✓ Quick processing

Private Server

$50-150

Per defendant

  • ✓ For difficult service
  • ✓ Flexible scheduling
  • ✓ Skip trace services
  • ✓ Affidavit provided

Additional Court Fees

Post-Judgment Fees

Writ of Execution$35
Bank Levy$100-150
Wage Garnishment$35
Property Lien$50

Miscellaneous Fees

Subpoena$5-10
Certified Copy$10
Appeal Filing$45.50
Motion Filing$20

Compare Court Costs

Example: $5,000 Claim with 1 Defendant

DIY Filing

Filing Fee:$124
Sheriff Service:$70
Your Time:8-10 hours
Total:$194 + Time

With PettyLawsuit

Filing Fee:$124
Sheriff Service:$70
Our Service:$29
Total:$223
Save 8-10 hours

With Attorney

Filing Fee:$124
Sheriff Service:$70
Attorney Fees:$1,500+
Total:$1,694+

Frequently Asked Questions

Are court filing fees refundable?

No, court filing fees are non-refundable once your case is filed, even if you later dismiss the case or settle out of court. However, if you win your case, you can request the court to order the defendant to reimburse your filing fees.

Can I get a fee waiver if I can't afford filing fees?

Yes, Philadelphia Courts offer fee waivers (In Forma Pauperis petitions) for individuals who demonstrate financial hardship. You must complete an application and provide proof of income to qualify for a fee waiver.

What payment methods are accepted at Philadelphia Courts?

Philadelphia Courts accept cash, money orders, certified checks, and credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). Personal checks are not accepted. Credit card payments may include a small processing fee.

Do I need to pay service fees upfront?

Yes, service fees must be paid when you file your case if you're using Sheriff service. For certified mail, you'll need to pay the postal service directly. Private process servers typically require payment before attempting service.

Are there additional costs after filing?

Possibly. If you need to subpoena witnesses ($5-10 each), request continuances ($20), or enforce a judgment (varies), additional fees apply. Appeal filing costs $45.50 if you disagree with the court's decision.

Know Your Exact Court Costs Upfront

No surprises. Our fee calculator shows your total costs including all court fees, service fees, and our flat $29 service charge.

$29 service fee + court filing fees. All costs disclosed upfront.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to file small claims in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia Municipal Court filing fees range from $98 to $176 based on claim amount, plus $70 for Sheriff service or $8 for certified mail service.