What UJSportal is and why you use it to pay
UJSportal is Pennsylvania's online system for court payments. If you have a fine, fee, or restitution balance in a Pennsylvania state or local court case, you can pay it through UJSportal instead of going to the courthouse in person or mailing a check. The system is run by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania and connects directly to the court that holds your case.
You reach UJSportal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The site handles payments for criminal fines, traffic violations, civil judgments, restitution orders, and court costs. Payment goes directly to the court, and your account updates the same day in most cases.
You do not need to create an account or log in to make a one-time payment. If you want to set up a payment plan or check your balance before paying, you will need to register for an account, which takes a few minutes and requires your case number and date of birth.
Key Takeaways
- UJSportal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers, but each payment method charges a different fee that you pay in addition to what you owe the court.
- You can pay without logging in if you know your case number, but creating a free account lets you see your balance and set up a payment plan before you pay.
- Payments typically post to your court record within one business day, though the court may take longer to update your case status.
- If you cannot pay in full, you can request a payment plan through UJSportal or by contacting the court directly.
Finding your case and balance on UJSportal
To find what you owe, go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and select "Search for Your Case." You will need your case number, which appears on any court document you received — the ticket, summons, judgment letter, or sentencing paperwork. If you do not have the case number, you can search by your name and the county where the case was filed.
Once you find your case, the site shows your current balance, what charges make up that balance (fines, costs, restitution, or a combination), and the date the balance was last updated. If the balance shows as zero or paid in full, the court has already recorded a payment or dismissal. If you see a balance but believe it should be zero, contact the court directly before attempting to pay again — duplicate payments are harder to reverse than to prevent.
Creating a UJSportal account is optional for a single payment but useful if you want to check your balance later or set up a plan. To register, you provide your name, date of birth, case number, and email address. The system sends a confirmation email; click the link to set up your account. After that, you can log in anytime to see your current balance without searching again.
Payment methods and fees
UJSportal offers three ways to pay, and each one charges a processing fee on top of what you owe the court:
| Payment Method | Fee Structure | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | 2.5% of the payment amount, with a minimum fee (typically $1.50 to $2.50) | Same day or next business day |
| Electronic bank transfer (ACH) | $1.00 flat fee | Three to five business days |
| Phone payment | Same as credit card (2.5% plus minimum) | Same day or next business day |
The fees go to the payment processor, not to the court. The court receives only what you owe. For example, if you owe $200 and pay by credit card, you pay $205 (the $200 plus the 2.5% fee). The court gets $200, and the processor keeps $5.
Electronic bank transfer (ACH) is the cheapest option if you can wait three to five days. You provide your bank account number and routing number, and the money is drawn from your account on the date you choose. Credit and debit cards are faster but cost more. Phone payments use the same fee structure as online card payments and are handled by the same processor.
Steps to make a payment through UJSportal
Start at ujsportal.pacourts.us. If you are paying without an account, click "Make a Payment" and search for your case by case number or name and county. If you have an account, log in first, then select your case from your dashboard.
Once you have located your case, review the balance and select the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance or a partial amount. Click "Proceed to Payment" and choose your payment method: card, bank transfer, or phone. If you choose card or phone, you will enter your payment information on a find page. If you choose ACH, you will enter your bank details and select the date the payment should be drawn.
After you submit, the system generates a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you need to contact the court about the payment. The confirmation also appears in your email if you provided one. The payment posts to your court record within one business day for card and phone payments, or within three to five business days for ACH transfers.
What happens after you pay
Once the payment posts, your UJSportal balance updates to reflect the new amount owed. If you paid in full, the balance shows as zero. The court's case management system also updates, though this can take an additional day or two depending on the court's processing schedule.
If your case involved a suspended license, probation, or other court-ordered consequence, paying the fine does not automatically lift that consequence. You may need to contact the court or the relevant agency (the Department of Transportation for license issues, your probation officer for probation matters) to confirm that the payment satisfies the court's requirement and that the consequence can be removed.
Keep your confirmation number and any receipt emails for your records. If a question arises about whether you paid, you can show the confirmation to the court. If the court's records still show a balance after your payment has posted, contact the court's financial office directly — this is rare but can happen if there is a system delay or data entry error.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
If you cannot pay the full balance at once, you have two options. The first is to log into your UJSportal account and request a payment plan through the system. You specify how much you can pay and how often (weekly, biweekly, or monthly). The court reviews your request and either approves it or contacts you with a counter-offer.
The second option is to contact the court directly. Call the financial office or clerk's office of the court listed on your case documents and ask about payment plan options. Some courts are more flexible with payment plans than others, and some may waive or reduce fees if you are in financial hardship. The court cannot force you to use UJSportal; they can also accept payments by mail or in person.
If you set up a payment plan, each payment still incurs the processing fee if you pay through UJSportal. Some courts allow you to mail payments to avoid the fee, so ask about that option when you request the plan.
Troubleshooting common issues
If your payment is declined, check that your card or bank account has sufficient funds and that the information you entered matches your bank records exactly. Card payments are sometimes declined if the billing address does not match what your bank has on file. Try again with the correct address, or switch to a different payment method.
If your balance does not update after several business days, log back into UJSportal and check again. System delays happen, especially if the court is processing a high volume of payments. If more than a week has passed and the balance has not changed, contact the court's financial office with your confirmation number and ask them to verify that the payment was received.
If you see a balance on UJSportal but you believe you already paid through the court or by mail, do not pay again. Instead, contact the court and provide proof of your previous payment (a cancelled check, receipt, or confirmation number). The court can research what happened and correct the record without you making a duplicate payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's court fine through UJSportal?
Yes. You do not need to be the defendant to pay a balance. Search for the case by the defendant's name and case number, and you can pay the balance using your own payment method. The payment will be credited to that case regardless of who submits it.
Is UJSportal the same as paying the court directly?
UJSportal is the court's official online payment system, so yes, it is paying the court directly. The payment goes to the court's account, not to a third party. The only third party involved is the payment processor, who charges the fee and then sends the money to the court.
What if I paid through UJSportal but my license is still suspended?
Paying the fine satisfies the court's financial requirement, but the court must notify the Department of Transportation that the fine is paid before your license can be reinstated. This can take several days to a few weeks. If your license is still suspended after two weeks, contact the court to confirm they sent the notice to PennDOT, or contact PennDOT directly to ask about your suspension status.
Can I get a refund if I overpay?
If you pay more than you owe, the court will hold the overage as a credit on your account or issue a refund. Contact the court's financial office with your confirmation number to request a refund. Processing a refund can take several weeks.
Does paying through UJSportal count as a payment plan?
No. A single payment through UJSportal, even if it is less than the full balance, is just a partial payment. If you want the court to agree not to pursue collection or take further action while you pay over time, you need to formally request a payment plan through UJSportal or by contacting the court directly.