Legal Costs in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in Philadelphia — all sourced from official Pennsylvania state records.
Philadelphia is a city in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the Pennsylvania state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $125 in state filing fees. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $12,000 in the Magisterial District Court. Divorce filing fees in Pennsylvania start at $201. All figures on this page are verified from official Pennsylvania government sources and updated for 2026.
Form an LLC in Philadelphia, PA
To form an LLC with a Philadelphia address, you file with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $125. Standard processing takes 7 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $70.
0| State filing fee | $125 |
| Annual report fee | $70 |
| Standard processing | 7 business days |
| Expedited processing | 1 |
| Publication cost | Not required |
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Small Claims Court in Philadelphia
Small claims cases in Philadelphia are heard at the Magisterial District Court in Philadelphia County. The maximum you can sue for is $12,000. Filing fees range from $45–$100 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | Magisterial District Court |
| Filing location | Philadelphia County |
| Maximum claim limit | $12,000 |
| Filing fee | $45–$100 |
| Written contract SOL | 4 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 4 years |
Where to File in Philadelphia
Always call ahead to verify hours and accepted payment methods before visiting. Hours may vary on holidays.
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Filing for Divorce in Philadelphia
Divorce petitions in Philadelphia are filed at the Philadelphia County courthouse. The Philadelphia County court divorce filing fee is $334. Sheriff service costs $45.
We have verified divorce filing fees specifically for Philadelphia County. See full Philadelphia County divorce fee details →
| Filing location | Philadelphia County Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $334 (Philadelphia County) |
| Sheriff service fee | $45 |
| Children surcharge | None |
| Parenting class | Not required |
| Certified copy fee | $10 |
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Find a Notary in Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania caps notary fees at $5 per notarial act. Common places to find a notary in Philadelphia: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | $5 |
| Jurat fee cap | $5 |
| RON (remote online) | Not available |
| State fee law | Yes — fee cap enforced |
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