Philadelphia Civil Court Records
Philadelphia County civil court records are managed by the Office of Judicial Records within the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is unique in the state because it is a consolidated city-county. The First Judicial District serves as the local court system for all of Philadelphia. Civil case dockets go back to 1971 in the online system, and scanned documents are available from late 2008 onward. You can search civil case dockets by case number, plaintiff name, or defendant name through the public access search tool. The Office of Judicial Records, Civil Section, is the main office for all civil filings in the Court of Common Pleas Trial Division.
First Judicial District Civil Courts
The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania is the court system for Philadelphia County. It is the largest judicial district in the state. The district has three main divisions within the Court of Common Pleas. The Trial Division handles general civil and criminal cases. The Family Division covers juvenile court and domestic relations matters. The Orphans' Court Division deals with the personal and property rights of persons who cannot act on their own behalf.
Civil cases in the Trial Division cover a wide range of disputes. Contract claims, personal injury suits, real estate matters, and equity actions all come through this court. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 3732, the Court of Common Pleas has broad jurisdiction over civil matters. Cases where the amount at stake exceeds $12,000 are heard here. Smaller claims go to the Municipal Court in Philadelphia.
The First Judicial District website has details on court operations, judges, and procedures. It is a good place to start if you need to learn how the Philadelphia courts work.
The image below shows the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania website with court information and resources.
This site provides court calendars, local rules, and links to filing systems used by Philadelphia courts.
| Court |
Court of Common Pleas First Judicial District of Pennsylvania City Hall, Broad and Market Streets Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
|---|---|
| Office of Judicial Records - Civil |
City Hall, Suite 284 Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: (215) 686-6654 |
Philadelphia Civil Case Docket Search
Philadelphia offers a public access search for civil case dockets. You can search by case number, plaintiff name, or defendant name. The system holds docket data going back to 1971. Scanned images of court documents are available from late 2008 to the present. This makes Philadelphia one of the most accessible counties in the state for online civil records research.
To use the search tool, go to the Philadelphia civil case docket search page. Enter your search terms and browse the results. Each case entry shows the docket number, parties, case type, and filing date. You can click into a case for more detail. Document images cost $0.25 per page and are paid on a per-use basis.
Below is a screenshot of the Philadelphia civil case search page.
Use this tool to look up any civil case filed in Philadelphia County from 1971 to the present.
The UJS Portal case search is another option. It covers all 67 counties and lets you search by name or docket number. For Philadelphia, the local search tool tends to have more complete data. The UJS Portal is best used when you need to search across multiple counties at once.
Philadelphia Office of Judicial Records
The Office of Judicial Records, Civil Section, is the filing office for all civil cases in the Court of Common Pleas Trial Division. It sits at City Hall, Suite 284. The phone number is (215) 686-6654. This office handles new filings, maintains dockets, and stores court documents. It is the place to go for certified copies of civil records.
Philadelphia supports e-filing for civil cases. Attorneys and parties can file pleadings, motions, and petitions through the internet. This system has cut down on paper filings and sped up the process. If you plan to file a civil action in Philadelphia, the e-filing portal is the main way to do it.
PAePay is the online payment system used by the First Judicial District. You can use it to pay filing fees and other court costs from your computer. The eJuror system handles juror management for those called to serve in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County Court Resources
The Philadelphia County Court site provides access to local court data and civil case resources. It is a useful reference for anyone who needs to find civil records or learn about the court process in this county.
The image below shows the Philadelphia County Court page.
This resource covers court divisions, filing procedures, and links to online search tools for Philadelphia civil cases.
The Elder Justice and Civil Resource Center is located at City Hall. It helps older adults and self-represented litigants with civil matters. Staff can guide you through forms, explain court processes, and help you find the right office. This center is a free resource open to anyone who needs help with a civil case in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. If you need legal help with a civil case, you can call the bar association for a referral. They can match you with an attorney who handles the type of civil matter you are dealing with.
Public Access to Philadelphia Civil Records
Civil court records in Philadelphia are public records. The Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 gives any person the right to request government records. The First Judicial District complies with this law, which is also known as Act 3 of 2008. Most civil case filings and docket entries are open for public review.
Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the courts have rules that balance public access with privacy. Sealed cases, records that name minors, and certain financial data may be restricted. The public records policies of the Pennsylvania courts outline what is available. If you are not sure whether a record can be released, contact the Office of Judicial Records at (215) 686-6654.
You can view civil records in person at City Hall during business hours. The online docket search is available at all times. For formal requests, you may submit a Right-to-Know form to the First Judicial District. The court must respond within five business days.
Philadelphia Land Records and Deeds
The Philadelphia Department of Records maintains land records, deeds, and mortgages for the city and county. These are separate from the civil court dockets but often come up in the same types of legal matters. If your civil case involves real property in Philadelphia, you may need records from both the court and the Department of Records.
Below is a screenshot of the Philadelphia Department of Records page.
This office handles deed transfers, mortgage recordings, and other documents tied to real property in Philadelphia.
The Department of Records is not part of the court system. It is a city department. But its records are public and can be searched in person or through the city's online tools. If you are looking for a deed or mortgage linked to a civil case, start with this department.
Civil Case Types in Philadelphia County
Philadelphia's Court of Common Pleas hears a wide range of civil cases. Contract disputes are very common. So are personal injury claims, medical malpractice suits, and product liability cases. The court also handles real estate disputes, including foreclosure actions and quiet title suits.
Equity actions, tax lien cases, and appeals from Municipal Court are part of the civil docket as well. Name change petitions and civil rights claims also go through this court. Each case type has its own rules for filing, service, and discovery. The local rules of the First Judicial District add procedures that are specific to Philadelphia.
- Contract and commercial disputes over $12,000
- Personal injury and medical malpractice claims
- Real estate and foreclosure actions
- Equity and injunction cases
- Appeals from Philadelphia Municipal Court
- Tax lien and municipal claims
- Name change petitions
Philadelphia Records on the UJS Portal
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania runs a statewide portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. You can search for Philadelphia civil cases here by name or docket number. The portal is free and does not need an account. It covers all 67 counties, so it is useful when you need to search beyond Philadelphia.
For Philadelphia specifically, the local civil case docket search tends to have richer data. The UJS Portal shows basic case information like type, filing date, and status. It may not show the full docket or document images that the Philadelphia system provides. Use the portal as a starting point, then go to the local tools for complete records.
Nearby Counties
Philadelphia County sits in the southeast corner of Pennsylvania. It borders four other counties. If your civil matter involves events or property outside Philadelphia, you may need to search records in a neighboring county as well.