What the UJS Portal is and how to use it
The UJS Portal (ujsportal.pacourts.us) is Pennsylvania's online system for paying court fines, fees, and restitution. You can pay from your computer or phone without visiting the courthouse in person. The system accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers.
To pay, you need your case number and the amount owed. The portal will ask you to enter basic information about yourself and your case, then direct you to a payment screen. Payments typically process within one business day, though the court may take longer to update your account balance.
The portal is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have questions about what you owe or whether a payment was received, you can contact the court that issued your case during business hours.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay Pennsylvania court fines and fees online at ujsportal.pacourts.us using a credit card, debit card, or bank account.
- You will need your case number and the amount owed to complete a payment.
- Payments process within one business day, but the court may take longer to show the payment in your account.
- The portal is open around the clock, but you should contact the court during business hours if you need to verify what you owe.
- A processing fee is charged for online payments, and the amount depends on your payment method.
Finding your case number and amount owed
Your case number appears on any court paperwork you received — the criminal complaint, sentencing order, or fine notice. If you cannot find it, call the court that handled your case. The clerk can tell you the case number and the exact balance you owe.
Some courts also allow you to look up your balance on their individual websites before you go to the UJS Portal. This step is optional but can save time if you want to confirm the amount before paying. The UJS Portal itself will show you the balance once you enter your case number.
Payment methods and processing fees
The UJS Portal accepts three payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards; debit cards; and electronic bank transfers (ACH). Each method carries a different fee, which is added to your payment.
Credit and debit card payments typically charge a percentage of the amount owed plus a flat fee. Bank transfers usually have a lower percentage but a similar flat fee. The portal will show you the exact fee before you confirm the payment, so you can see the total cost before you commit.
The fee goes to the payment processor, not to the court. If you cannot afford the fee on top of what you owe, you can contact the court to ask about payment plans or fee waivers, though the court is not required to grant either one.
Steps to complete your payment
Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and select the option to pay a fine, fee, or restitution. Enter your case number and your last name. The system will pull up your case and show you the balance owed.
Review the amount and select your payment method. If you choose a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. If you choose a bank transfer, you will enter your routing number and account number. The portal will then display the processing fee and ask you to confirm the total amount to be charged.
After you confirm, you will receive a confirmation number on screen. Write this number down or take a screenshot — you may need it if you contact the court later to verify the payment. The portal will also send a confirmation email to the address you provided.
What happens after you pay
The payment processor sends the money to the court within one business day. The court then posts the payment to your account, which can take an additional few days depending on the court's processing schedule. During this time, your balance in the system may still show as unpaid.
If you need proof that you paid, use your confirmation number or the confirmation email. Do not assume the payment failed just because the court's system has not updated yet. If more than a week has passed and the balance still shows as unpaid, contact the court with your confirmation number.
If you were on a payment plan or had a court date scheduled, notify the court that you have paid. Some courts do not automatically update their records, and you may need to provide your confirmation number to show that the payment was made.
If your payment is declined or fails
If your card or bank account is declined, the portal will tell you immediately and will not charge you. Common reasons include insufficient funds, an incorrect card number, or a card that has expired. Check your information and try again, or use a different payment method.
If you believe the decline was an error, contact your bank or card issuer to confirm the account is active and has available funds. Then return to the portal and attempt the payment again. If it fails a second time, call the court to ask whether you can mail a check or pay in person instead.
Do not attempt the same payment more than twice in a short period, as multiple failed attempts can trigger fraud alerts on your account or lock your card temporarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's court fine through the portal?
Yes, but you will need their case number and permission to use their information. The portal does not verify who is making the payment, only that the case number and amount are correct. If you are paying on behalf of a family member or friend, have their case number ready before you start.
What if I do not know my exact balance?
The portal will show you the balance once you enter your case number. If you want to check before going to the portal, call the court that handled your case during business hours. The clerk can tell you what you owe and whether any payments have been posted to your account recently.
Is there a limit to how much I can pay at once?
The portal does not publish a single-transaction limit, but most payment processors have daily or monthly limits. If your balance exceeds the limit, you can make multiple payments over several days, or contact the court to ask about mailing a check or paying in person for larger amounts.
Can I get a refund if I overpay?
If you pay more than you owe, the court will hold the overage as a credit toward future fines or fees, or may issue a refund. Contact the court to ask which option applies in your case. Refunds typically take several weeks to process.
What if I lose my confirmation number?
Check your email for the confirmation message the portal sent. If you cannot find it, contact the court with your case number and the date you paid. The court can look up the payment in their system and provide you with proof that it was received.