Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Service and Proof of Service Rules

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

Service

Mail

If certified mail is refused or unclaimed, the plaintiff may serve by ordinary first-class mail; service by ordinary mail is complete if the mail is not returned within 15 days after mailing or by the trial date, whichever is later.

(2) If the certified mail is returned with notation by the postal authorities that it was refused or unclaimed, the plaintiff shall have the right of service by mailing a copy to the defendant at the same address by first class mail with the return address of sender appearing thereon. Service by ordinary mail is complete if the mail is not returned to sender within 15 days after mailing, or by the date of trial, whichever is later. Service by certified mail and first class mail may be made at the same time.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Mail to all parties

Written notice by letter and copy of the citation must be mailed to non-consenting interested parties at least 20 days before the citation return date.

Petitioner shall give written notice to all other interested parties who have neither joined in the petition nor consented to the requested relief by letter and copy of citation mailed to all such parties at least twenty (20) days prior to the return date of the citation.

CRITICALCivil cases

Proof of service and a copy of the notice must be appended to the petition or filed after service.

Proof of Service and a copy of the notice shall be appended to the Petition or filed after service, as appropriate.

CRITICALCivil cases

The Master's Report must be served on counsel and any unrepresented parties.

Report shall be served on counsel and any unrepresented parties.

CRITICAL

Service

Mail

Written notice of suspension, warrant, or late fee must be sent to defendant by first class mail.

A written notice of suspension, issuance of arrest warrant, or imposition of late fee shall be sent to the defendant, by first class mail, at the defendant’s last known address.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Order or decree

The requesting party must serve the issued order or decree per Pa. R.O.C.P. 4.3 within the order's issuance and file a certification of service within 10 days of the order.

(4) Upon issuance of an order or decree described hereunder, the party requesting the order or decree shall serve the order or decree on the party to whom the citation or petition with notice was directed according to the provisions of Pa.R.O.C.P. 4.3, and shall file of record a certification of service within 10 days of the date of the order or decree, listing the names and addresses of those individuals and entities who were served, and by what means they were served.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Personal service to opposing party

A copy of the Petition and Order to Show Cause must be served by the Petitioner on the Candidate no later than March 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Service may be accomplished by any of the below methods: (i) personal service on the Candidate; (ii) personal service on any adult person at the Candidate’s residence address as shown on the Candidate’s affidavit; or (iii) by delivery by nationally recognized overnight service to the Candidate’s residence address shown as the Candidate’s affidavit provided that: (A) delivery is attempted before March 19, 2026, at 5 pm, and (B) the package be sent with instructions to leave the Service Packet at said address if no one answers the door.

A copy of the Petition and Order to Show Cause must be served by the Petitioner on the Candidate no later than March 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Service may be accomplished by any of the below methods: (i) personal service on the Candidate; (ii) personal service on any adult person at the Candidate’s residence address as shown on the Candidate’s affidavit; or (iii) by delivery by nationally recognized overnight service to the Candidate’s residence address shown as the Candidate’s affidavit provided that: (A) delivery is attempted before March 19, 2026, at 5 pm, and (B) the package be sent with instructions to leave the Service Packet at said address if no one answers the door.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

For motions for reconsideration, the filing party must serve a copy of the motion as provided in subsection (b)(3)(C).

Motions for Reconsideration shall be forwarded to the appropriate judge immediately upon filing, and the filing party must serve a copy of the motion as provided in subsection (b)(3)(C).

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Electronic service

Electronically filed papers are automatically served on parties who have filed in the case; the filing party must serve all others. Hard-copy filings must be served by the filing party.

If a legal paper is electronically filed, the Civil Electronic Filing System will automatically serve all persons who have previously submitted electronic filings in the same case, pursuant to Philadelphia Civil Rule *205.4 and Pa.R.C.P. No. 205.4(g), but the filing party must serve all others as required by rules of court. All legal papers filed in a hard-copy format must be served by the filing party as required by rules of court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Petition

For motions for alternative service, the filing party must immediately serve a copy of the petition on all counsel and unrepresented parties.

The filing party must immediately serve a copy of the petition on all counsel of record and unrepresented parties;

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

48 hours

Applies to

Order to show cause petition and attachments

Petitioner must serve the Candidate within 48 hours of filing, but in no event later than March 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

(4) A copy of this Order to Show Cause, Petition and attachments must be served by the Petitioner on the Candidate within 48 hours of the filing date and time, but no later than March 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

CRITICAL

Service

Electronic service

Accepted pleadings or legal papers not requiring original process are electronically served as authorized by Pa.R.Civ.P. 205.4(g)(1)(ii).

If the pleading or legal paper is accepted for filing and original process is not required, it will be electronically served as authorized by Pa.R.Civ.P. 205.4(g)(1)(ii) and service shall be effectuated as provided in Pa.R.Civ.P. 205.4(g)(2)(ii).

CRITICALCivil cases

Petitioner's counsel must serve a copy of the Decree and Statement of Rights upon the incapacitated person and read it to them.

Counsel for the petitioner shall cause to be served upon and read to the incapacitated person a copy of this Decree and the following Statement of Rights:

CRITICALCivil cases

A defendant who gives a Pa.R.C.P. 2232(a) notice of a pending personal-injury action must do so within 20 days after service of the complaint.

Where notice of the pendency of an action to recover damages for an injury, not resulting in death, is given by the defendant under Pa.R.C.P. 2232(a), it shall be given within twenty (20) days after service upon him of the complaint.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Mail to all parties

Copies of the Master's Report must be mailed to counsel of record and any unrepresented parties.

Copies of the Master’s Report in Fault Grounds or Annulment cases shall be mailed to counsel of record and to any unrepresented parties.

CRITICALCivil cases

Bill of costs must be served immediately on all parties.

A copy of the bill of costs shall immediately be served on all parties to the action

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice

Service

Personal service

Notice of the hearing with a copy of the petition and citation must be given personally or by certified mail at least 20 days before the hearing to heirs and other specified parties.

At least twenty (20) days prior notice of the court hearing, together with a copy of the petition and citation, shall be given personally or by certified mail in accordance with the provisions of 20 Pa.C.S. §5511(a) to all persons who are sui juris and who would be entitled to share in the estate of the alleged incapacitated person if he died intestate, and the Person or Institution providing residential services to the alleged incapacitated person, and to ------------------.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Deadline

1 business days

Applies to

Bail motion

All bail motions on IGJ cases must be served on the designated Assistant District Attorney or paralegal by fax or email at least one business day before the hearing, and no ADA will appear unless prior notice is given.

(a) Until otherwise provided, all bail motions filed on IGJ cases must be served on the designated Assistant District Attorney or paralegal by fax or e-mail at least one business day prior. An Assistant District Attorney (ADA) will not be present to argue bail motions unless prior notice is given.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

Except as provided below, complaints and writs of revival shall be served in the same manner as original process filed in the Court of Common Pleas and may be served in Philadelphia by writ servers appointed by the President Judge of the Municipal Court and in counties outside Philadelphia by said writ servers or by Pennsylvania constables.

Except as provided below, complaints and writs of revival shall be served in the same manner as original process filed in the Court of Common Pleas and may be served in Philadelphia by writ servers appointed by the President Judge of the Municipal Court and in counties outside Philadelphia by said writ servers or by Pennsylvania constables.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Personal service

If the original citation was not personally served on the alleged incapacitated person at least twenty (20) days prior to the scheduled hearing date, the Court upon request may issue an alias citation.

If the original citation was not personally served on the alleged incapacitated person at least twenty (20) days prior to the scheduled hearing date, the Court upon request may issue an alias citation.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Service

Electronic service

Electronic filings are automatically served on attorneys with accounts and authorized pro se parties.

Service of electronic filings on attorneys who have established an account and on parties without counsel who have been authorized will be made automatically by the Criminal Electronic Filing System.

CRITICAL

Service

Mail

When a citation lacks a hearing date or the hearing is scheduled for a non-court day, the court schedules or reschedules the summary trial and sends notice by first class mail.

If a law enforcement officer does not enter the date, time and location on a citation issued pursuant to subsection (a), or if the hearing is scheduled for a non-court day, the court shall schedule or reschedule the summary trial and send a notice of trial by first class mail.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Summary judgment motion

The summary judgment motion, exhibits, and brief must be served on the opposing party as required by Pa.R.C.P. No. 440.

(3) Service of Summary Judgment Motion. The summary judgment motion, exhibits and brief or memorandum of law must be served on the party or parties against whom summary judgment is requested, as provided in Pa.R.C.P. No. 440.

CRITICALCivil cases

The Sheriff must also post a handbill containing the legally required information on the real estate to be sold.

He shall also post handbills containing the information required by law, one on the real estate to be sold.

CRITICAL

Service

Personal service

Service of the citation is made by the issuing law enforcement officer handing a copy to the defendant.

As authorized by Pa.R.Crim.P. 451(A), service shall be made by the issuing law enforcement officer who shall hand a copy of the citation containing the Notice to appear to the defendant.

CRITICALCriminal cases

The movant must serve the Commonwealth through the District Attorney's Office and file an Affidavit of Service, unless the Commonwealth agrees to be served by the Office of Judicial Records.

The filer shall serve the Commonwealth through the District Attorney’s Office, and shall file an Affidavit of Service. Provided, however, that the Commonwealth may agree to be served by the Office of Judicial Records upon its receipt of the Motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

The petitioner must serve the Petition and Order to Show Cause on the Philadelphia County Board of Elections by March 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

A copy of the Petition and Order to Show Cause must be served by the Petitioner on the Philadelphia County Board of Elections, Room 142 City Hall, Philadelphia, PA no later than March 19, 2026 by 5:00 PM.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Complaint

Plaintiff must serve the Certification Form, Case Management Order, and Notice with the Complaint per the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and file an Affidavit of Service before the Conciliation Conference.

Along with the Complaint, the Plaintiff shall serve the Certification Form (Exhibit “A”), Case Management Order scheduling the Conciliation Conference, and Notice. The Notice shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “B.” Service must be made pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and Plaintiff must file an Affidavit of Service prior to the date of the Conciliation Conference.

CRITICAL

Service

Mail

Notices rescheduling a summary trial must be mailed to defendant by first class mail.

Any notice which reschedules a summary trial shall be mailed to the defendant, by first class mail, at the Defendant’s last known address.

WARNING

Service

Electronic service

The Electronic Filing System automatically serves all parties who previously filed electronically when original process is not required; the filing party must serve all others and all hard-copy filings.

If a legal paper is electronically filed and original process is not required, the Electronic Filing System will automatically serve all persons who have previously submitted electronic filings in the same case, pursuant to Philadelphia Civil Rule ===== PAGE 10 ===== 205.4.1 and Pa.R.Civ.P. 205.4(g), but the filing party must serve all others as required by rules of court. All legal papers filed in a hard-copy format must be served by the filing party as required by rules

WARNINGCivil cases

Any interested party who does not join a private-sale petition or consent to the sale must receive notice of the filing in accordance with Pa. O.C. Rule 3.5.

(3) Notice. Any interested party who does not join in the petition or consent to the sale shall receive notice of the filing of the petition in accordance with Pa. O.C. Rule 3.5.

WARNING

When a guardian is designated in the initial complaint, service must be made on both the guardian and the defendant.

If a guardian of a minor is already designated as such in the initial complaint filed, service shall be made upon such guardian and defendant.

WARNINGCivil cases

Expert witness reports, fee certifications, bills, and business records may be admitted at arbitration without further proof if at least 20 days' written notice with a copy is given to any adverse party, and previously produced documents need only be identified within that time.

expert witness reports, description of expert qualifications, attorney’s certifications as to time and hourly rates in claims where counsel fees are involved, bills, and records of businesses which ordinarily would be admissible if authenticated by a court of records of records shall be received in evidence without further proof provided that at least 20 days’ written notice of the intention to offer such documents in evidence was given to any adverse party accompanied by a copy of the item to be introduced. Provided, however, that if the documents were previously produced, they need only to be identified within the above time period.

WARNING

Applies to

Transcript request

The party requesting a transcript must serve a copy of the Request on the court reporter, the presiding judge, all counsel of record, and any unrepresented parties.

The party requesting the transcript shall serve a copy of the Request on: (1) the court reporter; (2) the judge presiding over the matter; and (3) all counsel who have entered an appearance in the case and on any unrepresented party(ies).

WARNING

When a defendant is designated a minor, the service copy of the complaint must include a Designation of Guardian Notice, which must be filed with the Court and served on all parties.

Where the defendant is designated a minor in the original caption of the action, also accompanying the service copy of the complaint will be a "Designation of Guardian Notice" in the form approved by the Municipal Court and provided by the Municipal Court Administrator. The "Designation of Guardian Notice" shall be filed with the Court and served upon every other party.

WARNING

Applies to

Complaint

Landlord-tenant rent or possession complaints may be served by posting the complaint on the leased premises and mailing a first-class copy to the tenant.

Landlord/tenant complaints for rent or possession may be served by posting the same upon the leased premises by an authorized writ server and mailing a copy to the tenant by first class mail.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Examination report

The examined party's attorney must deliver a copy of any report by the examined party's own physician to the other party's attorney.

Said examined party’s attorney shall deliver to the attorney or attorneys of the other party or parties, a copy of any written report made by the examined party’s own physician.

WARNINGCivil cases

Service

Mail

Service by registered mail or acceptance of service is not complete unless the signature requirement is met.

When service of the Complaint in Divorce is made by registered mail, or by Acceptance of Service pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 402(b), service shall not be deemed complete unless (1) the signature

WARNINGCivil cases

Deadline

48 hours

A party raising a constitutional question about a city ordinance or regulation must serve written notice with pleadings on the City Solicitor within 48 hours of filing.

In all cases in which the validity, sufficiency, or constitutionality of an ordinance of city council, or regulation adopted by an executive official pursuant to councilman's authorization, appears from the pleadings to be drawn in question, it shall be the duty of the party raising the same to serve notice thereof, in writing, accompanied by a copy of the pleadings to date, on the City Solicitor within forty-eight (48) hours after the said pleading shall be filed.

WARNINGCivil cases

Interested parties who do not join or consent must receive notice of the sale terms and the petition filing per Pa. O.C. Rule 3.5.

(2) Notice. Any interested party who does not join in the petition or consent to the sale shall receive notice of the terms of sale and of the filing of the petition in accordance with Pa. O.C. Rule 3.5.

WARNING

Service

Mail

Notices mailed to a defendant are sent to the most current address available to the Traffic Division.

Notices mailed to a defendant shall be mailed to the defendant's most current address available to the Traffic Division.

WARNINGCivil cases

After supplementing, the auditor files the report with the Clerk for submission to the Appointing Judge, giving interested parties or their counsel concurrent notice and a copy of the supplemental report.

The auditor shall then file the report with the Clerk, which will then be submitted to the Appointing Judge, together with a copy of the objections and the supplemental report, giving the interested parties or their counsel concurrent notice of such filing and a copy of the supplemental report.

WARNING

Applies to

Claim fact sheet

If you obtain additional information requested by this Claim Fact Sheet, you should immediately send the defendant(s) a supplementary Claim Fact Sheet and file a copy with the court

If you obtain additional information requested by this Claim Fact Sheet, you should immediately send the defendant(s) a supplementary Claim Fact Sheet and file a copy with the court

WARNINGCivil cases

Proof of service must be filed before the Court will act when a served party fails to appear.

Whenever any person, having been served with a petition, rule, notice, pleading or process, original or interlocutory, fails to appear in response thereto, proof of service of the same must be filed in the case before the Court will act thereon.

WARNINGCivil cases

Self-represented parties have a continuing obligation to provide current contact information to the court, other self-represented parties, and attorneys of record.

Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1930.8(b) a self-represented party is under a continuing obligation to provide current contact information to the court, to other self-represented parties, and to attorneys of record.

WARNING

Applies to

Complaint

Service

Mail

Certified-mail service of a complaint is permitted when the defendant's address is a post office box or outside Philadelphia County, or after a writ server has failed to serve the complaint.

(1) A complaint may be served by certified mail if defendant’s last known address is a post office box, or outside the County of Philadelphia, or if a writ server has returned the complaint without being able to serve the same.

WARNINGCivil cases

Interested parties who do not join the petition or consent to the mortgage or lease must receive notice of the filing of the petition per Pa. O.C. Rule 3.5.

(3) Notice. Any interested party who does not join in the petition or consent to the mortgage or lease shall receive notice of the filing of the petition in accordance with Pa. O.C. Rule 3.5.

WARNING

Service

Mail to all parties

The Municipal Court Administrator must promptly mail notice of continuance, dismissal, or other orders by regular mail to all parties.

Written notice of continuance, dismissal or the entry of any other order in a claim shall be mailed promptly, by regular mail, by the Municipal Court Administrator to all parties, but the failure to receive the same shall not constitute ground for relief from said order.

WARNINGCivil cases

The filing party must serve stipulations upon all counsel and unrepresented parties.

Service shall be made by the filing party upon all counsel and unrepresented parties.

WARNINGCivil cases

Objections filing must include a Proof of Service upon all parties and the Parenting Coordinator.

together with a Proof of Service upon all parties and the Parenting Coordinator.