Philadelphia Civil Court Records
Philadelphia civil court records are kept by the Office of Judicial Records at City Hall. As a consolidated city-county, Philadelphia operates the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. This court is the sole trial court for all civil matters in the city. Civil dockets date back to 1971. The public can search case records by case number, plaintiff name, or defendant name through the city's online tools. Documents from late 2008 onward are stored in digital form. The Office of Judicial Records at City Hall, Suite 284, serves as the central point for all civil case files in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Quick Facts
Philadelphia First Judicial District
The First Judicial District runs the court system for all of Philadelphia. It has three main parts: the Trial Division, the Family Division, and the Orphans' Court Division. Each one handles a distinct set of civil matters. The Trial Division is where most civil suits are filed. It hears contract claims, tort cases, and real estate disputes. The Family Division deals with custody, support, and related matters. The Orphans' Court Division covers estates, trusts, and guardianships.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 3732, the Court of Common Pleas holds broad civil jurisdiction. This means it can hear nearly all types of civil cases that arise in Philadelphia. The court sits at City Hall and at other sites in the city. Its size reflects the volume of cases filed each year in one of the most populated areas in the state.
The Philadelphia Courts website has full details on each division. You can find judge lists, court rules, and contact data for each part of the court. The site also posts local rules of civil procedure set under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, which apply to all civil filings in the First Judicial District.
The image below shows the Philadelphia County Court website.
This portal provides information on the court structure and civil case procedures in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Civil Case Docket Search
Philadelphia provides a public access search tool for civil case dockets. You can look up a case by its case number, the plaintiff's name, or the defendant's name. The system pulls from dockets that go back to 1971. This is one of the deepest digital archives in the state. Basic case data such as filing dates, party names, and case status are free to view.
Documents filed from late 2008 to the present are stored as digital images. You can view and print these at a cost of $0.25 per page. For cases filed before that date, you may need to visit the Office of Judicial Records in person to review the full paper file.
The city hosts its own civil docket search tool. You can start a search at the Philadelphia civil case docket search page. This tool is run by the city and draws from its own data. For a broader search that spans all courts in the state, use the UJS Portal case search.
The image below shows the Philadelphia civil case docket search page.
This is the city's tool for looking up civil dockets by party name or case number in Philadelphia.
Office of Judicial Records in Philadelphia
The Office of Judicial Records, Civil Division, is the main custodian of civil court files in Philadelphia. It is in City Hall, Suite 284. The phone number is (215) 686-6654. Staff there can help you find a case, pull a file, or get copies of civil court documents. They handle all in-person requests for civil records.
| Office | Office of Judicial Records - Civil |
|---|---|
| Address | City Hall, Suite 284 Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| Phone | (215) 686-6654 |
| Website | courts.phila.gov |
E-filing is available for civil cases in Philadelphia. Attorneys and self-represented parties can file new cases and submit documents through the court's e-filing system. This cuts down on trips to City Hall. It also speeds up the time it takes for a filing to appear on the docket. Check the court website for rules on which case types allow e-filing.
The Philadelphia Department of Records is a separate office from the Office of Judicial Records. It handles city records such as deeds, vital records, and other non-court documents. Do not confuse the two when you need civil court files.
Below is the Department of Records website for Philadelphia.
This page relates to city record keeping and is distinct from the civil court docket system.
Philadelphia Civil Records Access
Civil court records in Philadelphia are public records. The Right to Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 (Act 3 of 2008), gives the public a right to access government records in Pennsylvania. This law applies to many city and county records. Court records have their own access rules set by the Pennsylvania courts public records policies. Both paths aim to make records open to the public.
The Office of Open Records oversees Right to Know requests for state and local agencies. If you need a record that is not on the court docket, you may file a Right to Know request with the city. The office provides forms and guides on its website. Most requests must be answered in five business days.
Some records are sealed or kept from public view. Cases that involve minors or certain sensitive matters may be restricted. The court can also seal a case by order of a judge. If you cannot find a record online, call the Office of Judicial Records at (215) 686-6654 to ask about its status.
Philadelphia Legal Aid Resources
The Elder Justice and Civil Resource Center at City Hall helps people who need guidance on civil court matters. It is open to the public and provides information on how to file or respond to a civil case. Staff there do not act as lawyers but can point you in the right direction.
The Philadelphia Bar Association runs a lawyer referral program. If you need an attorney for a civil matter, the bar can connect you with one who handles your type of case. This is a good first step when you are not sure where to start.
The image below shows the Philadelphia Bar Association website.
The bar association provides referrals for civil cases in Philadelphia.
For cases that involve a state statute, the Philadelphia County Court resource site can help you find the right form or rule. Philadelphia's local civil rules are published under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 and govern how cases move through the system. Knowing these rules can save time and avoid delays in your civil matter.
Philadelphia County Civil Records
Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county. The city and county share the same court system. All civil filings go through the First Judicial District. For more on the county court, related records, and other resources, visit the Philadelphia County civil court records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities in the state have their own civil court systems. Pick a city below to learn about civil court records in that area.