What ujsportal.pacourts.us is and what you can pay there

The UJS Portal (ujsportal.pacourts.us) is the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's online payment platform. You use it to pay court fines, restitution, fees, and bail-related costs directly to the court that issued your case. The portal accepts payments for cases in Pennsylvania's district courts, common pleas courts, and magisterial district courts.

You can pay from your computer or phone using a debit card, credit card, or electronic bank transfer. The system processes payments when ready and sends you a confirmation number. You do not need to visit the courthouse in person or call to make a payment.

The portal does not handle payment plans, fee waivers, or requests to reduce what you owe. If you need to discuss your balance or arrange a different payment method, you will need to contact the court directly by phone or in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You access the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us and search for your case by name, case number, or docket number.
  • The portal shows your current balance and accepts debit cards, credit cards, and electronic bank transfers as payment methods.
  • Payments process when ready and you receive a confirmation number that serves as your receipt.
  • If you need a payment plan, fee reduction, or have questions about what you owe, contact the court directly rather than using the portal.
  • The portal is available 24 hours a day, but some courts may have their own payment important date or court dates that affect when payment is due.

How to find your case and check your balance

Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and select "Search for a Case" or "Make a Payment." The portal will ask you to search by one of three methods: your full name, your case number, or your docket number. If you have your case number or docket number from a court document, use that — it is the fastest way to locate your case.

If you search by name, the system will return all cases in Pennsylvania courts under that name. Review the list carefully to find the correct case, which will show the court name, the year the case was filed, and the case type (such as traffic, criminal, or civil).

Once you select your case, the portal displays your current balance, the type of charges (fines, fees, restitution, or other costs), and the amount due for each. The balance shown is what you owe as of that moment. If you have made a recent payment, it may not appear when ready.

Payment methods and what information you will need

The UJS Portal accepts three payment methods: debit card, credit card, or electronic bank transfer (ACH). Each method requires different information at checkout.

For debit or credit card payments, you will need the card number, expiration date, CVV security code, and the cardholder's name and billing address. The portal does not store your card information after the transaction completes. A processing fee applies to card payments — the exact amount varies by court but is typically between 2 and 3 percent of your payment.

For electronic bank transfer, you will need your bank account number and routing number. ACH payments usually have a lower or no processing fee. The transfer takes one to two business days to clear, so your balance may not update when ready.

In all cases, have your case number or docket number ready before you start. You will also need a valid email address to receive your confirmation.

What happens after you submit your payment

Once you complete the payment, the portal generates a confirmation number on the screen. Write down or screenshot this number — it is your proof of payment. The system also sends a confirmation email to the address you provided.

Card payments post to your account within one business day. ACH transfers take one to two business days. During this time, your balance on the portal may still show the original amount owed; it will update once the court's system processes the payment.

If you need to dispute a charge or report a problem with your payment, contact the court directly using the phone number on your court document or the court's website. Do not rely on the portal's customer service for case-specific questions.

When the portal cannot help you

The UJS Portal is a payment tool only. It does not allow you to request a payment plan, ask for a fee waiver, reduce your balance, or change a court order. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, you need to contact the court by phone or visit in person to discuss options.

Some courts offer payment plans that let you pay in installments over time. Others may reduce or waive fees in cases of financial hardship. The portal has no way to process these requests, so you must reach out to the court directly.

If your case is still active (you have not yet been sentenced or the case has not been resolved), the court may also have other options available. Again, the portal cannot address these — only the court can.

Troubleshooting common issues

If you cannot find your case, double-check the spelling of your name and verify the case number or docket number from your court document. Names with suffixes (Jr., Sr.) or special characters sometimes cause search problems. Try searching without the suffix first.

If your payment was rejected, check that your card or bank account information is correct and that the card has not expired. Some banks flag court payments as unusual activity; contact your bank to confirm the transaction was not blocked. If the rejection message mentions a technical error, wait a few minutes and try again.

If your balance has not updated after two business days, the court's system may be processing the payment slowly. Contact the court directly with your confirmation number to verify the payment was received.

If the portal is down or you see an error message, try again later. The system occasionally undergoes maintenance. If the problem persists, contact the court by phone.

How to contact the court if you have questions

The UJS Portal does not have a customer service line. To reach the court, use the phone number on your court document (summons, citation, judgment, or sentencing order). You can also search for your court's contact information on the Pennsylvania Judicial System website or call the county courthouse main line.

Courts are typically open Monday through Friday during business hours. Some courts offer online contact forms on their websites. If you have questions about your balance, a payment plan, or what you owe, calling or visiting the court is your only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's court fines through the portal?

Yes. You can search for another person's case by their name or case number and make a payment on their behalf. You will need to provide your own payment method and email address for the confirmation. The court will credit the payment to their case.

What if I pay more than I owe?

If you overpay, the court will hold the extra amount as a credit on your account or issue a refund. Contact the court directly to request a refund or to explore the credit to another case or future fees.

Is there a fee to use the portal?

Card payments (debit or credit) include a processing fee of roughly 2 to 3 percent, which varies by court. Electronic bank transfer (ACH) may have a lower or no fee. The portal will show you the fee amount before you confirm payment.

Can I set up automatic payments through the portal?

No. The portal processes one-time payments only. If you want automatic or recurring payments, contact the court directly to ask whether they offer that option through a different system.

What if I lose my confirmation number?

Contact the court with your case number and the date you made the payment. The court can look up the payment in their system and provide you with a confirmation number or receipt.