Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICALCriminal cases

the legal paper has been rejected as authorized by law. The Office of Judicial Records shall immediately notify, by email, the filing party of the reason for the rejection and whether the legal paper may be modified or a new legal paper must be submitted.

the legal paper has been rejected as authorized by law. The Office of Judicial Records shall immediately notify, by email, the filing party of the reason for the rejection and whether the legal paper may be modified or a new legal paper must be submitted.

CRITICALCivil cases

(2) File Date. Acceptance By Office of Judicial Records. The Office of Judicial Records shall provide electronic access at all times; however, legal papers submitted electronically shall be deemed “filed” after they are reviewed and accepted by the Office of Judicial Records. Electronically filed document will be reviewed and accepted for filing during normal business hours only. The Office of Judicial Records shall electronically provide a filing status message to the filing party setting forth the “filed” date and time.

(2) File Date. Acceptance By Office of Judicial Records. The Office of Judicial Records shall provide electronic access at all times; however, legal papers submitted electronically shall be deemed “filed” after they are reviewed and accepted by the Office of Judicial Records. Electronically filed document will be reviewed and accepted for filing during normal business hours only. The Office of Judicial Records shall electronically provide a filing status message to the filing party setting forth the “filed” date and time.

CRITICAL

Accepted legal papers are deemed filed as of the date and time received by the Electronic Filing System; papers submitted without the requisite fee are deemed accepted as of the date payment is received.

If a legal paper is accepted, it shall be deemed to have been filed as of the date and time it was received by the Electronic Filing System; provided, however, that if a legal paper is submitted without the requisite fee, the legal paper shall be deemed to have been accepted for filing as of the date payment is received.

CRITICALCriminal cases

If payment is received at or before the submission date, the filing date is the date of submission; if payment is received after submission, the filing date is the date payment is received.

Unless the legal paper is rejected by the Office of Judicial Records, and provided that the requisite payment has been received prior to or at the date and time of submission, the filing date and time of a legal paper shall be the date and time of submission. If the legal paper has not been rejected and the payment is received after the date and time of submission, then the filing date and time of the legal paper shall be the date and time payment is received.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Filing date is the submission date if payment is received by submission; otherwise it is the payment date.

(7) Unless the legal paper is rejected by the clerk of courts, and provided that the requisite payment has been received prior to or at the date and time of submission, the filing date and time of a legal paper shall be the date and time of submission. If the legal paper is not rejected by the clerk of courts, and the payment is received after the date and time of submission, the filing date and time of a legal paper shall be the date and time payment is received.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Information

The District Attorney must file the Information by the scheduled arraignment date; if it is not filed and the defendant does not waive arraignment, the arraignment is continued until the Information is filed.

The District Attorney shall file the Information before the scheduled Arraignment date and must have discovery available at the Arraignment. If the Information has not been filed before the scheduled Arraignment date, and the Arraignment is not waived by the defendant, the Arraignment shall be continued until the Information is filed. However, the Arraignment may be waived, even if the Information has not been filed, consistent with Pa.R.Crim.P. 571.

CRITICALCivil cases

Accepted legal papers are deemed filed as of the date and time received by the EFS; if filed without the required fee, they are deemed filed as of the date payment is received.

If a legal paper is accepted, it shall be deemed to have been filed as of the date and time it was received by the Electronic Filing System; provided, however, that if a legal paper is submitted without the requisite filing fee, the legal paper shall be deemed to have been accepted for filing as of the date payment was received.

CRITICAL

Accepted legal papers are deemed filed as of the date and time received by FSX.

(4) If a legal paper is accepted, it shall be deemed to have been filed as of the date and time it was received by FSX.

CRITICAL

A legal paper refused for filing is deemed not filed, subject to Rule 205.4(e)(1)(i).

Subject to the provisions of subsection Rule 205.4 (e)(1)(i), a legal paper refused for filing shall be deemed as not having been filed.

CRITICAL

EFS access is available 24/7 except for maintenance, but reviews occur only during court hours, so parties should file in advance to allow correction and re-submission.

access to the Electronic Filing System shall be available at all times, except for required maintenance. However, legal papers can only be reviewed during normal court hours. Therefore, parties are cautioned to file required legal papers in advance of any filing deadline to enable timely correction and re-submission in the event a legal paper is not accepted or is refused for filing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Legal papers refused for filing are deemed not filed, and the Office must specify the reason.

If a legal paper is refused for filing, the Office of Judicial Records shall specify the reason. Subject to the provisions of subsection Rule 205.4 (e)(1)(i), a legal paper refused for filing shall be deemed as not having been filed.

CRITICAL

Refused legal papers are deemed not filed.

(5) If a legal paper is refused for filing, the DRS shall specify the reason. Subject to the provisions of Rule 205.4(e)(1), a legal paper refused for filing shall be deemed as not having been filed.

CRITICALCriminal cases

The Office of Judicial Records must schedule a prompt hearing on the motion for return of property and notify the Commonwealth and the filer.

The Office of Judicial Records shall schedule a prompt hearing on the motion and shall notify the Commonwealth and the filer.

CRITICAL

A mailed filing is considered filed only when the appropriate officer receives it, not when it is mailed.

A paper sent by mail shall not be deemed filed until received by the appropriate officer.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Electronic filings may be submitted at any time except during periodic maintenance.

Electronic filings may be submitted at any time (with the exception of periodic maintenance).

CRITICALCivil cases

The Petition and Exhibits must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records by 5:00 PM on March 17, 2026.

the Petition to Set Aside Nomination Petition (hereinafter “Petition”), substantially in the form set forth below, and Exhibits must be filed with the Office of Judicial Records (formerly the “Prothonotary”) no later than 5:00 PM on March 17, 2026.

CRITICALCriminal cases

During the business hours of Court operation (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday), the application shall be filed with Office of Judicial Records, which shall schedule the time and place of the hearing to be held in the Motion Court.

During the business hours of Court operation (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday), the application shall be filed with Office of Judicial Records, which shall schedule the time and place of the hearing to be held in the Motion Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Account-filing deadline is 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.

CRITICAL

Accepted e-filings are deemed filed as of receipt; if filed without the required fee, they are deemed accepted when payment is received.

If a legal paper is accepted, it shall be deemed to have been filed as of the date and time it was received by the Electronic Filing System; provided, however, that if a legal paper is submitted without the requisite filing fee, the legal paper shall be deemed to have been accepted for filing as of the date payment was received.

WARNINGCivil cases

The filing party assumes the risk that a document submitted through the electronic filing system might not be properly or timely entered by the Office.

Note: A filing party accepts the risk that a document filed by means of electronic filing may not be properly or timely filed with the Office of Judicial Records.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Electronic filings may be submitted at any time except during periodic maintenance windows.

Electronic filings may be submitted at any time (with the exception of periodic maintenance).

WARNINGCivil cases

The Clerk must email a receipt confirmation immediately when a document is received by the e-filing system.

(a) Immediately upon receipt of the legal paper, the Clerk shall provide the filing party with email notification that the legal paper has been received by the Court's Electronic Filing System.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Clerk provides acceptance or rejection acknowledgement; rejection is notified by email with reason and cure instructions.

(8) Upon review of the legal paper, the clerk of courts shall provide, through the Criminal Electronic Filing System's website, an acknowledgement that: (i) the legal paper has been accepted for filing, including the date and time of acceptance, and that the legal paper was served on the parties as provided in this rule, in a form which can be printed for retention by the filing party; or (ii) the legal paper has been rejected as authorized by law. The clerk of courts shall immediately notify, by email, the filing party of the reason for the rejection and whether the legal paper may be modified or a new legal paper must be submitted.

WARNING

Access to the Electronic Filing System is available at all times except required maintenance, but legal papers can only be reviewed during normal court hours.

As required by Pa.R.Civ.P. 204.5(c)(1), access to the Electronic Filing System shall be available at all times, except for required maintenance. However, legal papers can only be reviewed during normal court hours.

WARNING

If a legal paper is refused for filing, the Clerk specifies the reason and the paper is deemed not to have been filed.

If a legal paper is refused for filing, the Clerk of Family Court shall specify the reason. Subject to the provisions of subsection Rule 205.4 (e)(1), a legal paper refused for filing shall be deemed as not having been filed.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Filing party is responsible for delays or disruptions except those caused by system failure.

(9) A filing party shall be responsible for any delay, disruption, interruption of the electronic signals and legibility of the document electronically filed, except when caused by the failure of the Criminal Electronic Filing System's website.

WARNINGCivil cases

Record reproduction services must file an annual certification with the Office of Judicial Records on or before the first business day of January.

All record reproduction services shall file an annual certification with the Office of Judicial Records on or before the first business day of January for the year in which record reproduction services are to be offered by the organization or entity.

WARNING

A transcript's delivery date is the date it is filed in the Court Reporting System.

The delivery date of the transcript shall be the date the transcript is filed in the Court Reporting System.

WARNINGCivil cases

Although the e-filing system is accessible around the clock, e-filed documents are reviewed and accepted only during normal business hours.

(6) Website. The Office of Judicial Records web site, and the Mental Health System, may be found at the following website address: http://courts.phila.gov, or at such other site as may be designated from time to time. The Office of Judicial Records shall provide electronic access at all times; however, the electronically filed document will be reviewed and accepted for filing during normal business hours only. The time and date of the filing and receipt shall be as set forth above.

INFO

The Office of Judicial Records must specify the reason when refusing a filing.

If a legal paper is refused for filing, the Office of Judicial Records shall specify the reason.

INFO

After review, the Clerk of Family Court notifies the filing party by email or on the Electronic Filing System whether a legal paper was accepted, not accepted, or refused for filing.

After review of the legal paper, the Clerk of Family Court shall provide the filing party with email notification, or notification on the Electronic Filing System, that the legal paper has been accepted for filing (“filed”), or not accepted or refused for filing.

INFOCriminal cases

The clerk's office must provide a printable acknowledgement of each electronic filing, including date and time of receipt.

The Office of Judicial Records shall provide, through the Criminal Electronic Filing System’s website, an acknowledgement that the legal paper has been received, including the date and time of receipt, in a form which can be printed for retention by the filing party.

INFO

The Office of Judicial Records provides e-mail or system notification of acceptance or refusal after review.

After review of the legal paper, the Office of Judicial Records shall provide the filing party with e-mail notification, or notification on the Electronic Filing System, that the legal paper has been accepted for filing (“filed”) or not accepted or refused for filing.

INFO

The Office of Judicial Records provides an acknowledgment with the date and time of receipt for each e-filed legal paper.

Upon receipt of the legal paper, the Office of Judicial Records shall provide the filing party with an acknowledgment, which includes the date and time the legal paper was received by the Electronic Filing System.

INFOCriminal cases

Clerk may delay public availability of legal papers for 5 days after acceptance.

(h)(2) The clerk of courts is authorized to delay the availability of legal papers to the general public in the courthouse for five (5) days after the legal paper is accepted for filing, to minimize any potential prejudice or harm to the parties or witnesses, and to enable the parties to seek a protective order when a legal paper is not filed as required by subsections (a)(2) and (f) of this rule.

INFOCriminal cases

When a legal paper is accepted for filing, the Office of Judicial Records website must provide a printable acknowledgement showing the date and time of acceptance and that service has been made.

(i) the legal paper has been accepted for filing, including the date and time of acceptance, and that the legal paper was served on the parties as provided in this rule, in a form which can be printed for retention by the filing party;

INFOCriminal cases

The clerk provides an acknowledgement of receipt with date and time through the e-filing website.

(6) The clerk of courts shall provide, through the Criminal Electronic Filing System's website, an acknowledgement that the legal paper has been received, including the date and time of receipt, in a form which can be printed for retention by the filing party.

INFO

The Clerk of Family Court provides an acknowledgment stating the date and time a legal paper was received by the Electronic Filing System.

Upon receipt of the legal paper, the Clerk of Family Court shall provide the filing party with an acknowledgment, which includes the date and time the legal paper was received by the Electronic Filing System.

CRITICALCivil cases

Petitions may deem papers timely if the court website or the original rejection caused the delay, but the petition must explain why in-person or resubmission was impossible.

(d) Any filing party for whom the failure of the Court's website or the erroneous rejection of a legal paper resulted in an untimely filing may file a petition requesting that the legal paper be deemed filed as of the submission date. Such petition shall state the date and time of the alleged failure or rejection. A petition alleging failure of the Court's website shall state why the legal paper could not be timely filed in person in the Clerk's office. A petition alleging erroneous rejection of a legal paper shall state why the rejection was erroneous and why the legal paper could not be timely re-submitted.

CRITICAL

Appeals from residential lease possession judgments must be filed within 10 days of judgment entry.

A party aggrieved by a judgment for possession of real property arising out of a residential lease, may appeal therefrom within 10 days after the date of the entry of the judgment by filing with the prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas a notice of appeal together with a copy of the Municipal Court disposition sheet. The prothonotary shall not accept an appeal from an aggrieved party which is presented for filing more than 10 days after the date of judgment without leave of the Court of Common Pleas and upon good cause shown.

CRITICALCivil cases

A defendant's preliminary objections to personal jurisdiction, venue, or service must be filed within 90 days after service of the complaint or they are deemed waived.

(3) A defendant may file preliminary objections, but any objections to personal jurisdiction, venue or service shall be deemed to have been waived unless they are filed within ninety (90) days after service of the complaint.

CRITICALCivil cases

Guardians must file annual reports as Guardian of the Person and as Guardian of the Estate each year on the anniversary date of their appointment.

I must file an annual report as Guardian of the Person and an annual report as Guardian of the Estate every year on the anniversary date of my appointment as Guardian;

CRITICALCriminal cases

A motion to quash and any other motions may be filed within 10 days of when the transcript from the IGJ and any other IGJ discovery is turned over to defense counsel.

A motion to quash and any other motions may be filed within 10 days of when the transcript from the IGJ and any other IGJ discovery is turned over to defense counsel.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

72 hours

A hearing on a Petition for Review must be scheduled and held within 72 hours after the petition is filed, unless the person's counsel requests a continuance.

A hearing must be scheduled and held within 72 hours after the petition is filed unless a continuance is requested by the person's counsel.

CRITICALCivil cases

A notice of appeal of a landlord-tenant residential lease possession judgment (with or without money judgment) must be filed within 10 days.

Landlord -Tenant, residential lease: possession only or possession and money judgment (10 days)

CRITICALCivil cases

Each party must file a memorandum of law the day before the scheduled hearing unless the judge approves a different date.

(7) Objector and Candidate must each file a memorandum of law in support of their respective positions no later than the day before the scheduled hearing, unless otherwise approved by the hearing judge.

CRITICALCivil cases

Guardians of the Estate and Person must each file an Annual Report one year after appointment and annually thereafter.

The Guardian of the Estate and Person shall each file an Annual Report one year after appointment and annually thereafter in accordance with the provisions of 20 Pa.C.S. § 5521(c)(1)(i) and (ii). Pa. O.C. Rule 14.8(a)((2) & (3)).

CRITICALCivil cases

The Released Party has 20 days from receipt of the attorney's affidavit and supporting documentation to file a response.

Upon receipt of the attorney affidavit and supporting documentation required by paragraph (E)(2) above, the Released Party shall have twenty (20) days to file a response.

CRITICAL

Appeals from money judgments or nonresidential possession judgments must be filed within 30 days of judgment entry.

A party aggrieved by a judgment for money, or a judgment for possession of real property arising out of a nonresidential lease, may appeal therefrom within 30 days after the date of the entry of the judgment by filing with the prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas a notice of appeal together with a copy of the Municipal Court disposition sheet. The prothonotary shall not accept an appeal from an aggrieved party which is presented for filing more than 30 days after the date of judgment without leave of the Court of Common Pleas and upon good cause shown.

CRITICALCivil cases

Final Reports must be filed within 60 days of the death of the incapacitated person, an adjudication of capacity, a change of guardian, or the expiration of an order of limited duration, and upon receipt of a provisional order accepting transfer of a guardianship.

Final Reports shall be filed by the Guardian of the Estate and Person within sixty (60) days of the death of the incapacitated person, an adjudication of capacity, a change of guardian or the expiration of an order of limited duration pursuant to 20 Pa.C.S. § 5521(c)(2). Final Reports shall also be filed upon receipt of the provisional order from another state's court accepting transfer of a guardianship. Pa. O.C. Rule 14.8(a)(4) & (5).