What UJSportal is and how to use it for payments
UJSportal is Pennsylvania's unified court payment system. If you have a fine, fee, or restitution balance in a Pennsylvania state court case, you can pay it online through UJSportal at ujsportal.pacourts.us without going to the courthouse in person.
The system accepts payments for criminal fines, traffic violations, civil judgments, restitution orders, and court costs. You'll need your case number or citation number to look up your balance and make a payment. Payments are processed immediately, though it may take a few business days for the payment to appear in the court's records.
UJSportal is run by the Pennsylvania Court System, so it's the official channel for online payments across all state courts. You can pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic check. The system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Key Takeaways
- UJSportal lets you pay Pennsylvania court fines, fees, and restitution online using your case number or citation number.
- The system accepts debit cards, credit cards, and electronic checks, and processes payments immediately.
- You can search for your balance and payment history anytime at ujsportal.pacourts.us without creating an account.
- Payment processing fees vary by payment method and are shown before you confirm the transaction.
- If your case is in a specific county, you may also be able to pay through that county's court website, but UJSportal works across all Pennsylvania courts.
How to find your balance and case information
Start by going to ujsportal.pacourts.us and selecting "Search for Cases" or "Make a Payment." You'll be asked to enter either your case number or your citation number. If you don't have these, you can search by your name and the county where your case was filed.
Once you enter your information, the system will display your case details, including the charges, the current balance owed, and any payment history. This search is public information and does not require you to log in or create an account. You can check your balance as many times as you need.
If you can't find your case, double-check the county name and spelling of your name. If the case is very recent, it may not yet appear in UJSportal — new cases sometimes take a few days to load into the system. You can also call the court clerk's office in the county where your case was filed for help locating your case number.
Steps to make a payment through UJSportal
After you've found your case and confirmed the balance, select the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance or a partial payment. The system will then ask you to choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or electronic check.
Enter your payment information carefully. For card payments, you'll provide your card number, expiration date, and CVV. For electronic checks, you'll enter your bank account and routing numbers. The system will show you the processing fee before you confirm — this fee is added to your payment and goes to the payment processor, not the court.
Review your payment details one final time, then submit. You'll receive a confirmation number immediately. Save this number for your records. The court will receive notification of your payment within one business day, though it may take longer to appear in the case file.
Payment methods and processing fees
UJSportal accepts three payment methods, each with different fees. Credit cards and debit cards typically charge a percentage-based fee (usually 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount). Electronic checks usually have a flat fee per transaction, which is often lower than card fees for larger payments.
The exact fee depends on your payment method and the processor handling the transaction. UJSportal shows the fee amount before you confirm your payment, so you'll know the total cost before you commit. The fee is separate from the court balance and is not refundable if you cancel the payment after it processes.
If you want to avoid processing fees, you can pay in person at the courthouse or by mail. Contact your county court clerk's office for the mailing address and payment instructions. In-person and mail payments do not carry online processing fees, though mail payments take longer to reach the court.
What happens after you submit your payment
Your payment is processed immediately when you submit it. You'll see a confirmation page with a confirmation number — write this down or take a screenshot. The court receives electronic notification of your payment within one business day.
It may take several business days for the payment to update in the court's case management system and appear in your case file. If you need proof of payment right away, use your confirmation number. If the payment doesn't appear in your case file after a week, contact the court clerk's office with your confirmation number.
If you paid a partial balance, your case remains open and you can make additional payments anytime through UJSportal. If you paid the full balance, your financial obligation to the court is satisfied, though other case requirements (such as probation or community service) may still apply.
Troubleshooting common payment problems
If your payment is declined, check that your card or account information is entered correctly. Some banks flag online court payments as suspicious and decline them temporarily. Contact your bank to confirm the transaction is legitimate, then try again.
If you can't find your case in UJSportal, verify that you're searching in the correct county. Cases are organized by the county where they were filed, not where you live. If your case is very recent, wait a few days and search again — new cases take time to enter the system.
If you received a payment confirmation but the balance still shows as unpaid after a week, contact the court clerk's office in your county with your confirmation number. Provide the number and the date you paid so they can track down the payment in their system.
Alternatives if you can't pay online
If you don't have a debit or credit card, or if you prefer not to pay online, you can pay in person at the courthouse during business hours. Bring your case number or citation number and cash, check, or money order. The court clerk will process your payment and give you a receipt.
You can also mail a payment to the court. Contact your county court clerk's office for the mailing address and instructions. Include your case number or citation number with your payment so the court can apply it to the correct case. Mail payments take longer to process than online payments.
If you're unable to pay the full balance, contact the court to ask about payment plans or hardship waivers. Some courts allow you to pay in installments or may reduce fees in cases of financial hardship. The court clerk can explain what options are available in your county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create an account to pay through UJSportal?
No. You can search for your case and make a payment without creating an account. You only need your case number or citation number. The system is designed to work without registration so you can pay quickly.
What if I paid but my balance still shows as owed?
Payment updates can take several business days to appear in the court's system. If more than a week has passed, contact the court clerk's office with your confirmation number. They can verify that your payment was received and update your case file if needed.
Can I get a refund if I paid the wrong amount or by mistake?
Refund policies vary by county. Contact the court clerk's office in the county where your case was filed. Explain the situation and provide your confirmation number. They can tell you whether a refund is possible and how to request one.
Is UJSportal secure, and is my payment information safe?
UJSportal uses encryption and security standards required for government payment systems. Your card or bank information is not stored on the system after your payment is processed. However, always make sure you're on the official site (ujsportal.pacourts.us) and never share your payment information through email or phone.
What if my case is in a different state?
UJSportal only handles Pennsylvania court payments. If your case is in another state, contact that state's court system directly. Each state has its own payment portal or process for online court payments.