Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Electronic Filing Rules

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

All legal papers and exhibits must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system available on the DCR website.

All legal papers or exhibits shall be filed using the DCR electronic filing system, which can be accessed on the DCR’s Website at https://dcr.alleghenycounty.us.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Petition to strike or open default judgment

All petitions to strike or open a default judgment or judgment of non-pros must be filed electronically under Local Rule 205.4.

(a) All petitions to strike and/or open a default judgment or a judgment of non-pros shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Motion

Housing Court motions must be electronically filed under Local Rule 205.4, except motions to file a late appeal.

Except for initial filings as set forth in Local Rule 205.4(a)(1)(B)(3) (i.e., Motions to File Late Appeal), all Housing Court Motions must be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Original motion

The original motion must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.

The original motion must be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Post trial motion

Post-trial motions must be electronically filed under Local Rule 205.4, with a copy delivered to the trial judge.

Post–Trial Motions shall be electronically filed [in the Office of the Department of Court Records]pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and a copy shall be delivered to the Trial Judge. Argument shall be scheduled by the Trial Judge without praecipe.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Certificate from court reporter

The court-reporter certificate required for reliance on a transcript or the court's charge must be filed electronically.

A moving party desiring to rely wholly or in part on a transcript of the testimony or on the charge of the Court shall electronically file a certificate from the court reporter, stating that the testimony relied upon, or the charge has been ordered and is being transcribed.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Notice of change ownership

When property ownership changes during an appeal under Local Rules 503 or 504, the property owner of record must electronically file a FORM 502.1 notice with the Department of Court Records, Civil/Family Division.

If at any time during the course of an appeal filed pursuant to Local Rules 503 or 504 ownership of the property at issue is transferred, changed, or altered in any way, the property owner listed of record in the appeal is required to electronically file pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 a notice of the transfer/change/alteration with the Department of Court Records, Civil/Family Division (FORM 502.1) (see subsection (2) below).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Pre trial statement

The petitioner must electronically file and distribute a pre-trial statement 60 days before conciliation in a non-residential tax assessment appeal.

Sixty (60) days prior to the date scheduled for conciliation of a non-residential tax assessment appeal, the petitioner shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and distribute the same to all counsel of record, or if counsel have not entered an appearance on the party(ies), and to the panel of the Board of Viewers assigned to the case.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Pre trial statement

The respondents must electronically file and distribute a pre-trial statement 20 days before conciliation in a non-residential tax assessment appeal.

Twenty (20) days prior to the date scheduled for conciliation of a non-residential tax assessment appeal, the respondent(s) shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and distribute the same to all counsel of record, or if counsel have not entered an appearance on the party(ies), and to the panel of the Board of Viewers assigned to the case a pre-trial statement.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Pre trial statement

Interested parties aligned with either the petitioner or respondents must electronically file and distribute a pre-trial statement under the applicable aligned-party subsection.

All interested parties whose interests are aligned with the petitioner shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and distribute the same in accordance with subsection (12)(a) of this local rule. All interested parties 69 ===== PAGE 70 ===== whose interests are aligned with the respondent(s) shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and distribute the same in accordance with subsection (12)(b) of this local rule.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Brief in support of objections

The objecting party must electronically file a Brief in Support of Objections within 20 days after the transcript is filed of record.

Within twenty (20) days of the date on which the transcript is filed of record, the objecting party shall electronically file a Brief in Support of Objections

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Brief in opposition to objections

Responding parties must file a Brief in Opposition to Objections within 20 days after the moving party electronically files its support brief.

Within twenty (20) days after the moving party has electronically filed its Brief in Support of Objections, responding parties shall file their Briefs in Opposition to Objections

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Petition for name change

The petitioner must email the petition to civilnamechanges@alleghenycourts.us and request that the Court issue an order scheduling the hearing date.

submit the petition by email to the civilnamechanges@alleghenycourts.us email address with a request that the Court issue an Order scheduling the hearing date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Preliminary objections

Preliminary objections must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.

Preliminary objections shall be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Proposed findings conclusions

A party must electronically file and serve written proposed findings of fact within ten days after the hearing.

A party must orally make this request known to the Viewers and to opposing parties no later than the conclusion of the Hearing and shall electronically file and serve written proposed findings of fact within ten days of the conclusion of the Hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Declaration of taking

The condemnor must electronically file a declaration of taking identifying each affected property by owner name and address and by Lot and Block number.

The condemnor shall electronically file a declaration of taking, which lists the affected property(ies) by name and address of owner and by Lot and Block number.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Motion to obtain a hearing

To obtain a hearing date, the requesting party must file the Motion to Obtain a Hearing with the Department of Court Records and submit it to the conservatorship calendar email inbox.

To obtain a hearing date on a Conservatorship case, the requesting party must do the following: a. File a Motion to Obtain a Hearing with the Department of Court Records, and b. Submit the Motion to Obtain a Hearing to conservatorshipcalendar@alleghenycourts.us.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Opposition

An opposing party must electronically file an opposition brief at least seven days before argument on the preliminary objections.

(ii) Any party opposing preliminary objections shall electronically file a brief in opposition to the preliminary objections at least seven (7) days prior to the argument.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Preliminary objections

Preliminary objections in Housing Court cases must be filed electronically under Local Rule 205.4.

Preliminary Objections in Housing Court cases shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Motion for judgment on the pleadings

A motion for judgment on the pleadings must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.

A motion for judgment on the pleadings shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Motion

Housing Court motions for judgment on the pleadings must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.

Motions for Judgment on the Pleadings in Housing Court cases shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Civil cases

Applies to

Objections to special masters report

Parties may electronically file objections to the Special Masters Report and Recommendation within 10 days after receiving the report, recommendation, and notice.

The parties may electronically file objections to the Special Masters Report and Recommendation within ten (10) days of receipt of the Special Masters Report and Recommendation and Notice.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Beginning on November 13, 2023, use of the Allegheny County Department of Court Records Civil/Family Division (hereinafter "DCR") electronic filing system is mandatory for the filing of all legal papers, including original process, in all actions and proceedings brought in or appealed to the court except as noted in the subsections below or as otherwise ordered by the Court.

Summary: Beginning November 13, 2023, all legal papers must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system unless an exception or court order applies.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Motion for late appeal

Motion for Late Appeal shall be filed in person pursuant to Local Rule 205.4(a)(1)(A)(3) with the Department of Court Records and a copy (iv) immediately provided to the Housing Court Clerk

Summary: A motion for late appeal must be filed in person with the Department of Court Records, and a copy must immediately be provided to the Housing Court Clerk.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Mediation certification ?

The Plaintiff or Plaintiff's Counsel shall file the Certification with the Department of Court Records and submit the Certification to the Calendar Control Office via e-mail to CivilCalendarControl@alleghenycourts.us. Should the Plaintiff and/or Plaintiff’s Counsel fail to timely file and submit a Certification, any other party may do so.

Summary: The plaintiff or plaintiff's counsel must file the mediation certification with the Department of Court Records and submit it to the Calendar Control Office by email, but any other party may do so if they fail to do so timely.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Subpoena

(2) A copy of any subpoena with a completed return of service shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.

Summary: A copy of the subpoena with a completed return of service must be electronically filed.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Tax assessment appeal ?

An appeal from the decision of the Board of Property Assessment, Appeals and Review must be verified pursuant to Pa.R.Civ.P. 206.3 and electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records Civil/Family Division within thirty days of the date of mailing of the notice by the Board.

Summary: A tax assessment appeal must be verified and electronically filed with the Department of Court Records Civil/Family Division within thirty days after the Board mails its notice.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Notice that matter is ripe for decision

the objecting party shall notify the Board of Viewers that the matter is ripe for decision by electronically filing a Notice That Matter is Ripe for Decision (FORM 503(18))

Summary: The objecting party must electronically file the required Notice That Matter is Ripe for Decision after the opposition-brief filing date has passed.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Assessment exceptions ?

In municipal improvement assessment proceedings, exceptions to the schedule of proposed awards and assessments shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records and served upon the Chief Clerk of the Board of Viewers within ten (10) days following the exhibition of the schedule.

Summary: Exceptions to a schedule of proposed awards and assessments must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records within ten days after the schedule is exhibited.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Pretrial statement ?

Thirty (30) days prior to first day of the applicable trial term, the condemnor(s) and condemnee(s) shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and serve the opposing party or parties which contains the following:

Summary: Thirty days before the applicable trial term, the condemnor and condemnee must electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Preliminary objections

(a) (i) Preliminary objections shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records.

Summary: Preliminary objections in General Docket and Arbitration Docket cases must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Exhibits ?

(ii) All evidence that the parties wish the court to consider shall be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records at least twenty (20) days prior to the argument.

Summary: Evidence submitted for consideration on fact-based preliminary objections must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records at least 20 days before argument.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Brief

(iii) The party which filed the preliminary objections shall electronically file its brief at least fourteen (14) days prior to the argument; the parties opposing the preliminary objections shall file their briefs at least seven (7) days prior to argument.

Summary: On fact-based preliminary objections, the filing party must electronically file its brief at least 14 days before argument, and opposing parties must file their briefs at least 7 days before argument.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Objection to adequacy of price ?

The objection electronically filed in the office of the Department of Court Records shall have endorsed thereon acceptance of service and receipt for deposit by counsel for petitioner.

Summary: An objection filed electronically with the Department of Court Records must include an endorsement by petitioner’s counsel acknowledging acceptance of service and receipt of the deposit.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Civil cases

Applies to

Motion for judgment on the pleadings

This rule does not govern motions for judgment on the pleadings filed in asbestos litigation and cases otherwise designated by the court for special management (Pa.R.Civ.P. 1041.1 and 1041.2), class actions, cases designated as complex, and other cases specially assigned by an order of court to a single judge.

Summary: Local Rule 1034(a)'s judgment-on-the-pleadings procedures do not govern asbestos or special-management cases, class actions, complex cases, or other cases specially assigned to one judge.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Civil cases

Applies to

Name change petition ?

While Local Rule 205.4 does not mandate that Petitions for Name Change be filed electronically, it is permissive to do so. However, the Petition will not proceed unless the Petitioner provides the documents listed in Subsection (3)(b) below to the Department of Court Records.

Summary: Electronic filing of a name-change petition is permitted, but the petition will not proceed unless the petitioner provides the required documents to the Department of Court Records.