Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Electronic Filing Rules

Applies to

Legal paper

Parties must electronically file all legal papers through the Civil Trial Division's Electronic Filing System commencing January 5, 2009.

(a) Commencing at 9:00 AM on January 5, 2009, parties shall electronically file all “legal papers,” as defined in Pa.R.C.P. No.205.4(a)(2), with the Office of Judicial Records through the Civil Trial Division’s Electronic Filing System as more specifically provided in Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure No. 205.4 and Philadelphia Civil Rule *205.2.

All legal papers must be filed electronically through the Civil Trial Division's Electronic Filing System, accessible via the First Judicial District website.

(i) Website. All legal papers shall be filed electronically through the Civil Trial Division’s Electronic Filing System (“Electronic Filing System”) which shall be accessible through the website of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, http://courts.phila.gov, or at such other website as may be designated from time to time.

Applies to

Legal paper

Beginning November 2, 2026, parties may e-file Divorce and Annulment legal papers through the Philadelphia Courts EFS.

Commencing at 8:00 A.M. on November 2, 2026, parties may electronically file all Divorce and Annulment “legal papers,” as defined by Pa.R.Civ.P. 205.4(a)(2), with the Clerk of Family Court through the Philadelphia Courts Electronic Filing System (“Electronic Filing System”), as more specifically provided in Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure No. 205.4 and Philadelphia Civil Rule *205.4.1.

Applies to

Legal paper

Legal papers filed with a Motion and Agreement to Seal the Record must be submitted in hard-copy and cannot be e-filed.

In the context of this rule, any legal paper filed contemporaneously with a Motion and Agreement to Seal the Record may not be filed electronically. All such legal papers must be submitted for filing to the Clerk of Court in hard-copy format.

Electronically filed legal papers must be filed through the court's Electronic Filing System, accessible via the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania website.

Legal papers filed electronically shall be filed through the Electronic Filing System, which shall be accessible through the website of the First Judicial System of Pennsylvania, https://www.courts.phila.gov, or at such other website as may be designated from time to time.

Applies to

Notice of appeal

Notices of Appeal and Motions/Petition for Discovery may not be filed electronically.

Notices of Appeal, as defined by Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 102, and Motions/Petition for Discovery pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure 4001 et seq., may not be filed electronically.

Applies to

Transcript request

Transcript requests must be submitted through the electronic Transcript Ordering System; requestors unable to access TOS may email a standard Request for Transcript form to transcripts@courts.phila.gov.

Requests for transcripts must be submitted through the electronic Transcript Ordering System (“TOS”) accessible through the website of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania at www.courts.phila.gov. A standard Request for Transcript form may be utilized by Requestors who cannot access the Transcript Ordering System. The Request for Transcript form is available on the Court’s website at www.courts.phila.gov/forms and must be emailed to transcripts@courts.phila.gov.

Applies to

Plea

Defendant may plead not guilty in person, online, via IVR, or by mail.

The defendant may plead not guilty in person at the Traffic Division, on-line through the Court’s website, www.courts.phila.gov (click the “Municipal Court Traffic Division” link under the section entitled “Courts of the District”), through the Court’s IVR (Interactive Voice Response system), or by mail by following the instructions contained on the back of the citation.

Applies to

Guilty plea

Defendant may not plead guilty by mail or electronically for certain violations requiring prison sentence.

If the defendant has been cited for violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 1543 (B), and other violations which require the imposition of a prison sentence upon a guilty plea or adjudication, the defendant may not plead guilty by mail or electronically, and the summary trial will be held as scheduled, unless it is rescheduled by the Court.

Applies to

Notice of appeal

Notices of Appeal from Traffic Division proceedings must be filed with the Traffic Division Appeals Unit at 800 Spring Garden Street.

Notices of Appeal from Traffic Division proceedings are to be filed with the Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division, which will accept them on behalf of the Office of Judicial Records, Criminal (formerly, the Clerk of Courts and Clerk of Quarter Sessions), at the following address: Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division Appeals Unit 800 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, PA 19123

Applies to

Notice of appeal

Motions to Appeal Nunc Pro Tunc and Notices of Appeal Nunc Pro Tunc must also be filed with the Traffic Division.

Motions to Appeal Nunc Pro Tunc and Notices of Appeal Nunc Pro Tunc shall also be filed with the Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division which will transmit the record to the Court of Common Pleas, Trial Division, Criminal.

Applies to

Notice of appeal

Notices of Appeal from impoundment orders must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records, Civil, either electronically through the FJD website or at Room 296 City Hall.

Notices of Appeal from orders issued upon Requests for Release of an Impounded Vehicle pursuant to 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 6309, 6309.1 and 6309.2 are to be filed with the Office of Judicial Records, Civil (formerly, the Prothonotary), electronically through the website of the First Judicial District at www.courts.phila.gov, or at the following address: Office of Judicial Records, Civil Room 296 City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107

Applies to

Pleadings

All complaints, petitions, motions, mandatory filings, and other pleadings must be filed as an original plus four copies with the Clerk of Family Court.

the original and four copies of all complaints, petitions, motions, mandatory filings, and all other pleadings and documents in the nature of pleadings.

Applies to

Legal papers

Electronic filing is authorized in Philadelphia County criminal cases for all legal papers, with express exclusions that must remain on paper until e-filing protocols are adopted.

The electronic filing of motions and other legal papers in the criminal courts of Philadelphia County is hereby authorized as specifically provided in this rule. The applicable general rules of court and court policies that implement the rules shall continue to apply to all filings regardless of the method of filing. ... The “legal papers” which may be filed electronically shall encompass all written motions, written answers and any notices or documents for which filing is required or permitted, including orders, exhibits and attachments, but excluding: (i) applications for a search warrant; (ii) applications for an arrest warrant; (iii) grand jury materials; (iv) legal papers filed ex parte as authorized by law; and (v) legal papers filed or authorized to be filed under seal.

Both attorneys and self-represented parties must register with the Criminal Electronic Filing System by obtaining a username, password, PIN and email before they may e-file.

An attorney must establish an account, apply for a Username, Password and Personal Identification Number (“PIN”), and supply an email address in order to use the Criminal Electronic Filing System. An attorney is responsible for the actions of other individuals whom the attorney authorizes to use the attorney’s account. Parties who are proceeding without counsel must also establish an account, apply for a Username, Password and Personal Identification Number (“PIN”), supply an email address and be authorized to access their cases through the Criminal Electronic Filing System.

Applies to

Legal paper

Electronic filings in the Criminal Electronic Filing System may be submitted through www.philacourts.us in accordance with the filing instructions in the rule and posted on the site.

Electronic filings may be submitted through the website of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania: www.philacourts.us in accordance with the filing instructions contained in this rule and as may be otherwise provided at that site.

Applies to

Criminal document

The First Judicial District continues to operate its own Criminal Electronic Filing System under Rule 576 unless and until a local PACFile implementation plan is agreed upon.

Until such time, the First Judicial District’s Criminal Electronic Filing System implemented pursuant to Rule 576 shall continue.

Parties must electronically file all legal papers through the Civil Trial Division's Electronic Filing System.

Commencing at 9:00 AM on January 5, 2009, parties shall electronically file all "legal papers," as defined in Pa.R.C.P. No. 205.4(a)(2), with the Office of Judicial Records through the Civil Trial Division's Electronic Filing System as more specifically provided in Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure No. 205.4 and Philadelphia Civil Rule *205.4.

Applies to

Petition for approval settlement minor

For minor-settlement petitions in cases already initiated in the Trial Division, the petition must be filed electronically with the Office of Judicial Records, Civil (the former Prothonotary).

(1) For cases in which a civil action has been initiated in the Trial Division, Petitions for Approval of Settlements shall be electronically filed with the Office of Judicial Records, Civil (formerly the [[Prothonotary]]).

Applies to

Petition for approval settlement minor

For minor settlement petitions filed before any civil action is initiated and no docket number exists, the petition must be electronically filed with the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division.

(1) For cases in which a civil action has not been initiated in the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and for which no civil docket number has been assigned, Petitions for Approval of Settlement shall be electronically filed with the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division.

Applies to

Affidavit of compliance

Counsel must electronically file the Affidavit of Compliance with the court maintaining the docket, either with the Office of Judicial Records or the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division.

Within sixty (60) days of the entry of a final Order of Distribution, counsel shall electronically file an Affidavit of Compliance with the Court maintaining the docket of the matter, either with the Office of Judicial Records or with the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division.

Applies to

Motion for allowance

Motions for Allowance in cases with an Orphans' Court-appointed guardian must be filed directly with the Orphans' Court Division.

Motions for Allowance in those cases where a guardian has been appointed by the Orphans’ Court Division shall be filed directly with such Division.

Applies to

Motion for allowance

Other Motions for Allowance must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records, decided by the Motion Court Judge unless the original Judge retained jurisdiction, and are exempt from Motion Court filing requirements under Rule *208.3(b)(3).

All other Motions for Allowance, irrespective of which Judge approved the original settlement, shall be filed with the Office of Judicial Records. All such motions shall be decided by the Motion Court Judge, except where the original Judge has retained jurisdiction of the case. Said motions are not subject to any further filing requirements of the Motion Court under Philadelphia Civil Rule *208.3(b)(3).

Applies to

Petition for approval of settlement

Petitions for approval of settlement in cases without an initiated civil action must be filed electronically with the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division.

(2) For cases in which a civil action has not been initiated in the Trial Division, and no civil docket number has been assigned, Petitions for Approval of Settlement shall be electronically filed with the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division.

Applies to

Petition for approval of settlement

Petitions for Approval of Settlements in Trial Division civil cases must be electronically filed with the Office of Judicial Records.

For cases in which a civil action has been initiated in the Trial Division, Petitions for Approval of Settlements shall be electronically filed with the Office of Judicial Records,

Applies to

Affidavit of compliance

The Affidavit of Compliance must be filed electronically, either with the Office of Judicial Records or the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division.

counsel shall electronically file an Affidavit of Compliance with the Court maintaining the docket of the matter, either with the Office of Judicial Records or with the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division.

Applies to

Petition for approval of settlement

Petitions for approval of settlements in wrongful death or survival actions must be electronically filed with the Office of Judicial Records, Civil, when the lawsuit was commenced in the Trial Division.

Petitions for Approval of Settlements in Wrongful Death or Survival Actions shall be electronically and tried with the Office of Judicial Records, Civil (formerly the Prothonotary) if the action was commenced in the Trial Division.

Applies to

Objections response

Beneficiaries who object to a proposed settlement must electronically file their written objections or response through the Civil Electronic Filing System (Phila. Civ. R. *205.4 / Phila. O.C.R. 3.7.A).

If you object to the proposed settlement and/or proposed distribution, you must electronically file your written objections or Response to the Petition on or before _____________________, 20____, through the Civil Electronic Filing System as provided in Phila. Civ. R. *205.4 or Phila. O.C.R. 3.7.A.

Applies to

Petition for involuntary treatment not already subject

A petition for involuntary treatment of a person not already subject to treatment must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records.

(C) Filing of the Petition. The Petition must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records.

Applies to

Petition for continued involuntary treatment

A petition for continued involuntary treatment of a person already subject to treatment must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records and served as required by Section 304(b)(3).

(C) Filing and Service of the Petition. The Petition must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records and served as required by Section 304(b)(3).

Applies to

Application for additional treatment

An application for additional periods of court-ordered involuntary treatment must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records and served as required by Section 304(b)(3).

(3) Filing and Service of Petition. The Petition must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records and served as required by Section 304(b)(3).

Applies to

Civil mental health legal papers

All legal papers in civil mental health matters under the Mental Health Procedures Act must be filed electronically with the Office of Judicial Records unless the subsection (B) exception applies.

(A) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (B) of this rule, parties shall file all legal papers, including original process, with the Office of Judicial Records by means of electronic filing in any civil mental health matter filed pursuant to the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976, as amended, and the within rule.

Applies to

Appellate appeal from certification review

Appeals to appellate courts from orders on Petitions for Review of certification orders issued by Mental Health Review Officers cannot be e-filed and must be filed in paper format.

(B) Notwithstanding subsection (A), the same may be true of the petition, and appeals to appellate courts filed from orders issued by the Court pursuant to Petitions for Review of certification orders issued by Mental Health Review Officers cannot be filed electronically, but must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records in a paper format.

Applies to

Account

For all accounts, counsel must electronically file, contemporaneously with the account, a specified set of papers including the filing checklist, petition, settlement and compensation agreements, income accounting waiver, tax receipt, and notice statement.

(1) All Accounts. Counsel shall electronically file the following papers contemporaneously with the account: (a) account filing checklist; (b) a Petition for Adjudication/Statement of Proposed Distribution; (c) copies of all agreements with respect to settlements and compromises; (d) copies of agreements, if any, with respect to the accountant's compensation, if credit therefor is taken in the account or requested at the audit; (e) a waiver of an income accounting by those entitled to the income, if the account does not contain a complete income accounting and such a waiver is not attached to the account; (f) the official receipt for any inheritance tax paid during the period of the accounting; and (g) a statement of the method and date of giving notice to all interested parties of the filing of the account and the Petition for Adjudication/Statement of Proposed Distribution and of the time of the audit, or alternatively, an averment that such notice shall be given and a certification thereof shall be submitted at the audit as hereinafter set forth.

Applies to

Account of personal representative

For accounts of personal representatives, counsel must additionally electronically file a copy of the original letters with proof of advertisement and a certified copy of the inventory, will, and codicils.

(2) Accounts to article of Conclusions Standards. In addition to the papers required by Rule 2.4B(1), at the time of the filing of an account of a personal representative, counsel shall electronically file: (a) a copy of the original letters, together with proof of advertisement thereof; and (b) a copy of the inventory and of the will and codicils, certified with the signature of accountant or lawyer to be true and correct.

Applies to

Account of trustee

For trustee accounts, counsel must additionally file electronically a copy of the trust instrument, certified by the accountant or counsel as true and correct.

(3) Accounts of Constitutional Principles. In addition to the papers required by Rule 2.4B(1), at the time of the filing of an account of a trustee, counsel shall electronically file a copy of the trust instrument, certified by the accountant or counsel in a true and correct manner.

Applies to

Account of trustee special needs trust

For special-needs trust accounts, the trustee must also e-file a certified copy of the trust instrument, a Letter of No Objection from PA DHS, and a notice statement to the PA DHS Special Needs Trust Depository and SSA.

(4) Heirs of Trustees of Special Needs Trusts. In addition to the papers required by Rule 2.4B(1), at the time of the filing of an account of the trustee of a special needs trust, attorney counsel shall electronically file: (a) a copy of the trust instrument, certified by the accountant or counsel to be true and correct; (b) a Letter of No Objection of the form for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services; and (c) a statement of the method and date of notice to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Special Needs Trust Depository and the Social Security Administration.

Applies to

Account of guardian of minor

For guardian-of-a-minor accounts, counsel must also e-file the appointing will/deed/decree, a statement that claimants received audit notice, and a statement of the former minor or adjudicated matter setting out majority, the account examination and approval, and the requested discharge upon distribution.

(5) Accounts of Guardians of the Estates of Minors. In addition to the papers required by Rule 2.4B(1), at the time of the filing of an account of a guardian of the estate of a minor, counsel shall electronically file: (a) a copy of the will, deed or decree by which the guardian was appointed; (b) a statement that notice of the audit has been given to all known, unpaid claimants; (c) a statement of the former minor or, if the former minor has been additional incapacitated person, of the guardian of the estate of the former minor, setting forth the date the other minor completed with majority; and that all the former minor or the guardian of the estate of the former minor: (i) has examined the account; (ii) approves the account and requests that it be confirmed; and (iii) that the guardian of the estate of the minor shall be discharged upon distribution to the former minor or to the guardian of the estate of the former minor of the balance shown in the account and subject to such additional excess credits as may lawfully be approved and by law.

Applies to

Account of guardian of incapacitated person

For accounts of guardians of the estates of incapacitated persons, counsel must electronically file additional papers at the time of the account, though the remainder of the list is not fully set out in this extracted portion.

(6) Accounts of Guardians of the Estate of the Incapacitated Persons. In addition to the papers required by Rule 2.4B(1), at the time of the filing of an account of a guardian of the estate of an "latterated person wishing his electronic record:

Applies to

Account of agent under power of attorney

Counsel must electronically file a certified copy of the power of attorney at the time of filing an account of an agent under power of attorney.

(7) Accounts of Agents under Power of Attorney. In addition to the papers required by Rule 2.4B(1), at the time of filing an account of an agent under power of attorney, counsel shall electronically file a copy of the power of attorney, certified by the accountant or counsel to be true and correct.

Applies to

Foreign fiduciary account

Counsel must electronically file specific foreign-fiduciary documents with an account when a share of the estate is distributable to a foreign fiduciary.

(8) Distribution to Foreign Fiduciary. In addition to the papers required by Rule 2.4B(1), at the time of filing an account, when a share of the estate is distributable to a foreign fiduciary, counsel shall electronically file:

Applies to

Account

An account must be electronically filed by 3 p.m. on the fifth Wednesday before the audit list is called.

An account to appear on a particular audit list must be electronically filed not later than 3 p.m. on the fifth Wednesday preceding the day on which such list will be called.

Applies to

Schedule of distribution

A schedule of distribution must be electronically filed with the Clerk when directed by the Auditing Judge or at the election of the accountant.

(1) When directed by the Auditing Judge or at the election of the accountant, a schedule of distribution, in the form approved by the Court, shall be electronically filed with the Clerk. The Auditing Judge, in his or her discretion, may direct that only awards of real property or personal property, to be distributed in kind, need be included in the schedule of distribution.

Applies to

Objections

Objections to a schedule of distribution must be electronically filed with the Clerk.

Objections shall be electronically filed with the Clerk.

Applies to

Legal papers

All parties must file all legal papers with the Clerk electronically.

Parties shall file all legal papers with the Clerk by means of electronic filing.

Applies to

Legal papers and exhibits

All legal papers and exhibits must be filed through the Court's website.

A filing party shall file all legal papers and exhibits at the Court's website.

Applies to

Proof of deposit

Proof of deposit for a restricted account must be electronically filed with the Court within 60 days.

Proof of deposit evidencing the restriction shall be electronically filed with the Court within sixty (60) days.

Applies to

Affidavit of return of sale

The affidavit of return of sale must be electronically filed with the Court and must state the price, purchaser information, high-bidder averment, and proof of notice.

(6) Post-Sale Return of Notice. The petitioner shall electronically file with the Court an affidavit which shall set forth: (a) The price obtained; (b) The name and address of the purchaser and an averment that the purchaser was the highest bidder; and (c) Proof of notice given as required by Rule 5.10A(5), including dates of publication.

Required

Always

Applies to

Certificate

Petitioner's counsel must electronically file a certification of mailing identifying all noticed parties and the notice provided.

Counsel to petitioner shall electronically file with the Clerk, prior to the return date of the citation, a certification of mailing which shall list the names and addresses of all parties to whom notice was so given, including a copy of the notice given.

Applies to

Response to motion for summary judgment

The adverse party must electronically file its response to a summary judgment motion.

The adverse party or parties must electronically file a response to the motion for summary judgment within thirty (30) days of service of the motion, as provided in Pa.R.C.P. No. 1035.3.

Applies to

Guardianship reports

Guardians must file inventories, annual reports, and final reports in electronic or paper format, using the Guardianship Tracking System for electronic filings.

(1) Guardian shall file all inventories, annual reports, and final reports in accordance with 20 Pa. C.S. §5521(c), Pa. O.C. Rule 14.8, and Pa.R.J.A. No. 510(b). Reports and inventories may be filed in either an electronic format or a physical paper format. Reports and inventories filed in an electronic format shall use the Guardianship Tracking System.

Applies to

Petition

Petitions must be e-filed at fjdefile.phila.gov; petitioners unable to e-file may file in person in Room 296 City Hall.

The Petitions must be electronically filed at: https://fjdefile.phila.gov/. However, Petitioners who are unable to file their Petitions electronically may file in-person in Room 296 City Hall.

Attorneys must establish an account with Username, Password, PIN, and email to use the Criminal Electronic Filing System.

An attorney must establish an account, apply for a Username, Password and Personal Identification Number ("PIN''), and supply an email address in order to use the Criminal Electronic Filing System.

Applies to

Motions and other legal papers

Electronic filing of motions and other legal papers is authorized in Philadelphia County criminal courts.

The electronic filing of motions and other legal papers in the criminal courts of Philadelphia County is hereby authorized as specifically provided in this rule.

Excluded legal papers (search warrants, arrest warrants, complaints, etc.) must be filed in paper format until electronic protocols are adopted.

Until such time as necessary protocols are adopted to permit the electronic filing of these excluded legal papers, they shall be filed in paper format so as to limit potential harm to any party and to protect the confidentiality of information as provided by law.

Pro se parties must establish an account with Username, Password, PIN, and email and be authorized to access their cases.

Parties who are proceeding without counsel must also establish an account, apply for a Username, Password and Personal Identification Number ("PIN''), supply an email address and be authorized to access their cases through the Criminal Electronic Filing System.

Electronic filings may be submitted through the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania website beginning April 1, 2013.

Electronic filings may be submitted through the website of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania: http://www.courts.phila.gov beginning on April 1, 2013 in accordance with the filing instructions contained in this rule and as may be otherwise provided at that site.

Applies to

Private criminal complaint

Private criminal complaints must be filed with the District Attorney's Office.

Private criminal complaints shall be filed with the District Attorney's Office.

Counsel and unrepresented parties must apply for and receive a User Name, Password, and Identification Number to access the Electronic Filing System.

(ii) Access to the Website. To obtain access to the Electronic Filing System, counsel and any unrepresented party must apply for and receive a User Name, Password, and Personal Identification Number (“PIN”).

Electronic filing using the issued User Name, Password, and PIN constitutes the party's signature on electronic documents.

(1) Signatures on Pleadings, Verifications, Documents and Other Legal Papers. The electronic filing of legal papers utilizing the issued User Name, Password and PIN issued as provided by this rule and Pa.R.C.P. No. 205.4, constitutes the party’s signature on electronic documents as provided by Pa.R.C.P. No. 1023.1

Counsel and unrepresented parties must obtain a User Name, Password, and PIN to access the Electronic Filing System.

To obtain access to the Electronic Filing System, counsel and unrepresented parties must apply for and receive a User Name, Password, and Personal Identification Number (“PIN”).

Counsel and unrepresented parties must apply for and receive a User Name and Password from FSX to obtain access.

To obtain access to FSX, counsel and unrepresented parties must apply for and receive a User Name and Password from FSX.

Applies to

Transcript

Completed transcripts must be filed in the Court Reporting System, made available to the presiding judge, and delivered to the requestor upon payment of any balance owed.

When the transcript has been completed, it shall be filed in the Court Reporting System (“CRS”), shall be made available to the judge presiding over the matter, and shall be delivered to the requestor upon the payment of any balance owed.

The court will accept paper-format filings, convert them to PDF (except sealed papers), and treat the PDF version as the original for all purposes.

Any legal paper submitted for filing to the Office of Civil Records in a paper (or 'hard-copy') format shall be accepted by the Office of Judicial Records in that format and shall be retained by the Office of Judicial Records as may be required by applicable rules of court and record retention policies. The Office of Judicial Records shall convert such hard-copy legal paper, other than any legal paper filed under seal, to pdf. Once converted to pdf, the pdf version of the legal paper shall be deemed to be, and shall be treated as, the original legal paper and may be used by the parties and the court for all purposes, including court hearings and trials, in the Criminal trial Court and the Court of Civil common Pleas.

Applies to

Stipulation

Stipulations not requiring judicial approval must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records.

Stipulations not requiring judicial approval shall be filed with the Office of Judicial Records.

Counsel and unrepresented parties must apply for and receive a User Name, Password, and PIN to access the Electronic Filing System.

To obtain access to the Electronic Filing System, counsel and any unrepresented party must apply for and receive a User Name, Password, and Personal Identification Number ("PIN").

Applies to

Registration

Counsel and self-represented parties must apply for an e-filing username and password before filing.

To obtain an access to the Orphans' Court Electronic Filing System, counsel or a party not represented by counsel (the "filing party") shall apply for a Username and Password at the Court's website.

Applies to

Legal paper

Paper-format filings are accepted and converted to PDF, which becomes the original.

(d) Legal Papers Filed in a Paper Format. Any legal paper submitted for filing to the clerk of courts in a paper (or "hard-copy") format beginning on April 1, 2013 shall be accepted by the clerk of courts in that format and shall be retained by the clerk of courts as may be required by applicable rules of court and record retention policies. The clerk of courts shall convert such hard-copy legal paper, other than any legal paper filed under seal, to pdf. Once converted to pdf, the pdf version of the legal paper shall be deemed to be, and shall be treated as, the original legal paper and may be used by the parties and the court for all purposes, including court hearings and trials, in the Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas.

Remote access to legal papers is limited to attorneys of record and pro se parties.

(h)(3) Legal papers shall only be made available remotely to attorneys of record and pro se parties. A party who is represented by counsel shall not have remote access to any legal papers filed in connection with the party's case. Access to the official case file and legal papers, as required or provided by law and applicable Public Access policies, is available in Rooms 200 and 310 at the Criminal Justice Center.

Legal papers or exhibits submitted in hard-copy are converted to PDF by the Office of Judicial Records and the hard copy is returned to the filing party for retention.

As authorized by Pa.R.C.P. No. 205.4 (b)(1), in the event any legal paper or exhibit is submitted to the Office of Judicial Records in a hard-copy format, the Office of Judicial Records shall convert and maintain such legal paper or exhibit to a portable document format, and the Office of Judicial Records shall return the hard-copy legal paper or exhibit to the filing party for retention as required by Pa.R.C.P. No. 205.4(b)(5).

Neither the Court nor the Office of Judicial Records is required to keep hard copies of e-filed documents.

Neither the Court nor the Office of Judicial Records are required to maintain a hard copy of any legal paper or exhibit, notice, or order filed or maintained electronically under this rule.

Applies to

Support complaint

Support-related complaints may be filed in-person or electronically with the domestic relations section.

Complaints for child support, spousal support, and alimony pendente lite may be filed with the domestic relations section either in-person or electronically.

The Clerk of Family Court shall maintain a hard copy of any legal paper or exhibit, notice, or order filed or maintained electronically under this rule.

As permitted by Rule 205.4(f)(2), the Clerk of Family Court shall maintain a hard copy of any legal paper or exhibit, notice, or order filed or maintained electronically under this rule.

Applies to

Legal paper

Commencing November 2, 2026, parties may electronically file Child Support, Spousal Support, and Alimony Pendente Lite legal papers with the Domestic Relations Section through the File and ServeXpress Application (FSX).

Commencing at 8:00 A.M. on November 2, 2026, parties may electronically file all Child Support, Spousal Support, and Alimony Pendente Lite “legal papers,” as defined by Pa.R.Civ.P. 205.4(a)(2) except as provided below, with the Domestic Relations Section (“DRS”) through the File and ServeXpress Application (“FSX”) and as more specifically provided in Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure No. 205.4 and Philadelphia Civil Rule *205.4.2.

Legal papers filed electronically with the DRS shall be filed through FSX, accessible through the First Judicial System of Pennsylvania website or another designated website.

Legal papers filed with the DRS electronically shall be filed through FSX, which shall be accessible through the website of the First Judicial System of Pennsylvania, https://www.courts.phila.gov/, or at such other website as may be designated from time to time.

Attorney filings that need no prior judicial action may be delivered or mailed to the court administrator without personal appearance.

Any filing with the Court, by an attorney admitted to practice in the courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, not requiring the signature of, or action by a judge prior to filing may be delivered or mailed to the Municipal Court Administrator or other appropriate officer designated by the court administrator, accompanied by the filing fee and if mailed, shall contain a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The party’s attorney need not appear personally and present such paper to the officer.

Applies to

General court regulation

As required by Pa. R.C.P. No. 239, the original General Court Regulation shall be filed with the Prothonotary in a Docket maintained for General Court Regulations issued by the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, and copies shall be submitted to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, the Legislative Reference Bureau and the Civil Procedure Rules Committee. Copies of the Order shall also be submitted to Legal Communications, Ltd., The Legal Intelligencer, Jenkins Memorial Law Library, and the law library for the First Judicial District.

As required by Pa. R.C.P. No. 239, the original General Court Regulation shall be filed with the Prothonotary in a Docket maintained for General Court Regulations issued by the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, and copies shall be submitted to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, the Legislative Reference Bureau and the Civil Procedure Rules Committee. Copies of the Order shall also be submitted to Legal Communications, Ltd., The Legal Intelligencer, Jenkins Memorial Law Library, and the law library for the First Judicial District.

Applies to

Legal papers and exhibits

The Clerk will not keep hard copies of e-filed legal papers or exhibits.

(c) The Clerk shall not maintain a hard copy of any legal paper or exhibit filed electronically under this Rule.

Applies to

Account

An auditor may be required by the Court to electronically file the account and participate in further proceedings.

The auditor may be required to electronically file the account and to participate in such further proceedings as the Court may direct.

Electronically filed legal papers are retained electronically; no hard copy is required.

retained by the clerk of courts in an electronic format. Neither the clerk of courts nor the court is required to maintain a hard copy of any legal paper filed electronically as provided in this rule.

Electronically filed papers and paper-format copies become the record on appeal.

(e) Record on Appeal. Electronically filed legal papers, and copies of legal papers filed in a paper format as provided in subsection (d), shall become the record on appeal.

Clerk provides training and assistance for electronic filing.

(h)(4) The clerk of courts shall provide training and assistance to all parties as may be necessary to electronically file legal papers as provided in this rule.

Clerk provides computer terminals for public access to legal papers.

(h)(5) The clerk of courts shall provide sufficient computer terminals at such locations as may be determined from time to time to allow parties and the public to access legal papers as provided by this rule and as authorized by applicable Public Access policies.

This rule controls over Pa.R.Crim.P. in case of conflict.

(i) As provided in subsection (a), the procedures contained in this rule control in the event a provision herein conflicts with the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. In all other respects, the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure apply.

The e-filing pilot program ends April 1, 2014, subject to modification.

(j) Duration of Pilot Program. Unless otherwise provided, the Pilot Program established by this rule shall end on April 1, 2014. The terms of the Pilot Program may be modified from time to time by the issuance of a local rule adopted pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 105.