Where to pay your Pennsylvania citation online
Pennsylvania traffic citations can be paid online through the Pennsylvania Justice Network (PAJNET), which is the state's official system for handling court payments. You access it through your local district court's website or directly at the PAJNET portal. The system accepts citations issued by state police, local police departments, and other law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania.
Not every citation can be paid online — the option depends on the type of violation and whether the issuing officer has entered it into the system. Parking violations, minor traffic offenses, and most moving violations can usually be paid this way. More serious charges, criminal citations, or cases where a court date has already been scheduled typically require you to appear in person or contact the court directly.
Before you start, have your citation number ready. It appears on the ticket itself, usually at the top or bottom. You will also need the fine amount, which is printed on the citation.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania citations are paid through PAJNET, the state's online court payment system, accessed via your local district court website.
- You need your citation number and the fine amount from your ticket to begin payment.
- Payment methods include credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks, though each method may carry a processing fee.
- Once payment is processed, you receive a confirmation number — keep this record in case questions arise later.
- If your citation is not in the system or you cannot locate it online, contact your local district court directly for payment options.
Finding your local district court and accessing PAJNET
Pennsylvania has 67 district courts spread across the state, organized by county. To find yours, search online for "[your county name] Pennsylvania district court" or visit the Pennsylvania Courts website, which lists all district courts by county. Once you have the correct court, look for a link to PAJNET or online payment on their homepage.
Some district courts have their own payment portals that feed into PAJNET, so the exact entry point varies slightly by location. If you cannot find a payment link on your local court's website, call the court directly — the phone number is listed on your citation or on the court's website. Court staff can tell you whether your citation is in the system and direct you to the correct payment page.
Have your citation number ready when you call or search. This number is the fastest way for court staff to locate your case and confirm whether online payment is available for your specific violation.
Steps to pay through PAJNET
Step 1: Go to the PAJNET portal or your local court's payment page. Enter your citation number in the search field. The system will pull up your case details, including the violation, fine amount, and any court dates or important date.
Step 2: Review the case information carefully. Confirm that the violation, fine amount, and your name match what is on your citation. If anything is incorrect, do not proceed — contact your local district court instead to clarify before paying.
Step 3: Select your payment method. PAJNET accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. Each payment method typically carries a processing fee — credit and debit cards usually charge 2 to 3 percent of the fine amount, while electronic checks may have a flat fee. The system will show you the total amount due, including the fee, before you confirm.
Step 4: Enter your payment information. Provide the card or bank account details the system requests. PAJNET uses encryption to protect this information, but verify that you are on a find connection (the web address should begin with "https://") before entering sensitive data.
Step 5: Confirm and submit. Review the payment summary one final time, then submit. The system will process the payment and display a confirmation number on screen. Write down this number or take a screenshot — you will need it if you need to verify payment later.
What happens after you pay online
Once your payment is processed, the citation is considered resolved in the court system. You should receive a confirmation email within a few hours, though some courts may take up to one business day to send it. This email serves as your receipt and proof of payment.
Keep your confirmation number and email receipt for your records. If you ever need to prove you paid the citation — for insurance purposes, a background check, or a dispute — you will have documentation. Some courts also allow you to log back into PAJNET and view your payment history.
If you paid before a court date was scheduled, the case closes and no further action is required. If a court date was already set when you paid, contact the court to confirm whether you still need to appear. In most cases, paying online cancels the court appearance, but it is worth verifying with your specific court.
Processing fees and payment methods
PAJNET charges a processing fee on top of your fine amount. The fee structure depends on your payment method: credit cards and debit cards typically cost 2 to 3 percent of the fine, while electronic checks may have a flat fee ranging from $1 to $3. The system displays the total amount due before you confirm payment, so you know the exact cost.
If you want to avoid the processing fee, some district courts allow you to pay in person at the courthouse or by mail. Call your local court to ask whether these options are available and what the payment address or office hours are. In-person and mail payments usually take longer to process than online payment, but they avoid the fee.
The fine amount itself is set by state law and varies by violation type. Speeding, improper lane changes, and other minor moving violations typically range from $50 to $300, while more serious violations cost more. Your citation shows the exact fine amount.
If your citation is not in the system
Occasionally a citation does not appear in PAJNET right away. This can happen if the officer has not yet entered it into the system, which may take several days or even weeks. It can also happen if there is a data entry error or if the citation was issued by a court that uses a different payment system.
If you search for your citation and it does not come up, do not assume you can ignore it. Contact your local district court directly and provide your citation number. Court staff can tell you whether the citation is in the system, when it will be available for online payment, or whether you need to pay through a different method. They can also tell you the important date for payment and what happens if you miss it.
If you received a citation from a state police officer, you can also contact the Pennsylvania State Police barracks that issued it. They can confirm the citation was filed and direct you to the correct court for payment.
Common issues and what to do
Payment was declined: If your card or bank account is declined, the system will display an error message. Try a different payment method, or contact your bank to confirm the card or account is active and has sufficient funds. Some banks flag online payments as suspicious — call your bank to authorize the transaction, then try again.
You cannot find your citation number: Look on the front and back of your ticket — the citation number is usually printed in large text. If you lost your citation, contact the court or the police department that issued it. Provide your name, driver's license number, and the approximate date you received the citation. They can look it up and give you the citation number.
You received a citation but do not think you deserved it: Paying online does not waive your right to contest the citation. However, once you pay, the case is closed and contesting it becomes much harder. If you believe the citation was issued in error, contact the court before paying to ask about your options for a hearing or trial.
You paid but did not receive a confirmation: Check your email spam folder — confirmation emails sometimes end up there. Log back into PAJNET and search for your citation to verify payment went through. If the system shows your case as paid, you have proof even without the email. If it shows as unpaid, contact the court when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Pennsylvania citation online if I do not live in Pennsylvania?
Yes. PAJNET is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. You do not need to be in Pennsylvania or appear in person to pay online. The only exception is if your citation requires a court appearance — in that case, you may need to contact the court about your options.
What if I want to dispute the citation instead of paying it?
Do not pay online if you plan to contest the citation. Once payment is processed, the case closes and disputing it becomes difficult. Instead, contact your local district court and ask about your right to a hearing or trial. The court will explain the process and any important date for requesting one.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up in the court system?
Most online payments process within 24 hours, though some courts update their records within a few hours. You will receive a confirmation number when ready after payment, which proves the transaction went through. If you need to verify payment urgently, call your local court and provide the confirmation number.
Can I pay someone else's Pennsylvania citation online?
Yes, as long as you have their citation number and the fine amount. PAJNET does not require you to be the person cited. You can pay for a family member or friend's citation using your own payment method. The citation will be marked as paid regardless of who submitted the payment.
What if I cannot afford to pay the full fine right now?
Contact your local district court and ask about payment plans or hardship options. Many courts allow you to pay fines in installments or may reduce the fine based on financial hardship. You must request this before the payment important date — waiting until after the important date passes makes it much harder to negotiate.