FAQs • Chester County, PA • CivicEngage

Where do I file a Civil Complaint?: District Courts may accept filings up to $12,000. You may file a civil complaint, sometimes referred to as small claims, in the Magisterial District Court where the party you are suing (the defendant) lives OR where the incident (accident) occurred. If your case involves a landlord-tenant dispute, you may file the case where the property is located. To look up property locations, visit ChesCoViews.

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District Courts

1. How do I arrange for a District Judge to perform a marriage?: Most Chester County Magisterial District Judges perform wedding ceremonies in their courtrooms during regular office hours by appointment only. To inquire about a wedding ceremony, contact the District Court directly.

2. Where do I file a Civil Complaint?: District Courts may accept filings up to $12,000. You may file a civil complaint, sometimes referred to as small claims, in the Magisterial District Court where the party you are suing (the defendant) lives OR where the incident (accident) occurred. If your case involves a landlord-tenant dispute, you may file the case where the property is located. To look up property locations, visit ChesCoViews.

3. How much does it cost to file a Civil Complaint?: Civil costs vary depending on the amount of your claim and the type of service option you choose to have your complaint served. Please contact the District Court to obtain the exact amount of filing costs.

4. How do I obtain forms to file a Civil Complaint?: The Civil Complaint form can be obtained at the District Court or by accessing the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts WEB page.

5. Where do I file an Appeal: An appeal for a Civil or Landlord and Tenant case is filed at the Prothonotary's Office. An appeal for a summary, non-traffic or traffic case is filed at the Clerk of Courts Office. Both offices are located on the 1st floor of the Chester County Justice Center.

6. Can I Pay my ticket online?: Yes. Most traffic and parking citations can be paid on the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal. You can search for a citation by name, citation number, docket number or payment plan number. If your citation does not appear, contact the appropriate District Court located in box #1 on the front of your citation. A transaction fee of $2.75 will be charged to the user. Please confirm with the District Court that the payment was received and there is no balance on the case.