If you were summoned for jury duty in Pennsylvania, the eJuror PA portal lets you respond online instead of mailing a paper form back to the court. Open the web address printed on your summons, log in with the identifiers listed on the same page, and work through the qualification questionnaire. From there you can confirm you’ll serve, ask to be excused, or request a later date.
Find the Right Portal on Your Summons
There is no single statewide eJuror site. The federal eJuror system at ejuror2.uscourts.gov is run by the U.S. courts and covers Pennsylvania’s three federal districts: the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts. Each district has its own login page, and your summons prints the exact address for yours. The Middle District also staffs a juror information line at 1-866-624-7516 for anyone who can’t get the site to load.1United States District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania. eJuror
A summons from a county Court of Common Pleas is a different animal. Some counties run their own online systems. Montgomery County, for instance, uses an i-Juror portal at webapp.montcopa.org.2Montgomery County PA i-Juror. Online Profile Help Other counties still handle responses entirely by mail. Read the paper summons first. It tells you which court called you, which website (if any) to visit, and which phone number to call if something goes wrong.
What You Need to Log In
The federal eJuror login screen asks for three things, all printed on your summons:
- Your nine-digit participant number, listed next to your name and address.
- The first three letters of your last name.
- Your date of birth, with the year entered as four digits.3United States Courts. eJuror Login Page
The federal page does not ask for a zip code. If the system rejects your entry, check the summons again before assuming the site is broken. Mistyping the participant number or using a two-digit year will lock you out. County portals use their own credential formats, but the details you need will always be on the mailing itself.
The Qualification Questionnaire
Once you’re in, the portal walks you through a qualification questionnaire. The court uses it to decide whether you’re legally eligible to serve. Under Pennsylvania law, a qualified juror must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the county that issued the summons, at least 18, and able to read, write, speak, and understand English well enough to follow a trial.4Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code Title 42 – Chapter 45 Juries and Jurors
Expect questions about criminal history. In state court, you’re disqualified if you’ve been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison and have not been pardoned.4Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code Title 42 – Chapter 45 Juries and Jurors Federal courts apply a comparable rule and also disqualify anyone with a pending charge for such a crime.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 1865 – Qualifications for Jury Service Old traffic convictions under Pennsylvania’s former Vehicle Code generally don’t count.
The form also asks whether a physical or mental condition would stop you from serving. Answers go in simple yes-or-no fields with room for a short explanation. The questionnaire is signed under penalty of perjury, so answer honestly.4Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code Title 42 – Chapter 45 Juries and Jurors Lying to get out of federal jury duty carries the same penalties as skipping it: a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days in jail, community service, or some combination.6Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1864 – Drawing of Names From the Master Jury Wheel
Asking To Be Excused
Pennsylvania law identifies specific people who can be excused from state jury service. If you fit one of these categories, you can request an excusal through eJuror or by contacting the jury office named on your summons:
- Anyone currently serving in the United States or Commonwealth armed forces.
- Anyone who served on a jury within the past three years. If that prior service lasted fewer than three days, the exclusion period is one year.
- Anyone who can show that serving would cause extreme inconvenience, which the court may treat as either a permanent or temporary excusal.
- Anyone 75 or older, upon request.
- Breastfeeding mothers, upon request.
- Spouses, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren of criminal homicide victims.
- State and federal judges.4Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code Title 42 – Chapter 45 Juries and Jurors
For a federal summons, a separate two-year rule limits how often you can be required to serve: no more than once every two years.7U.S District Court. Jury Duty Frequently Asked Questions
Medical Excusals Need Documentation
If you’re asking to be excused for a medical reason, expect to upload or send supporting paperwork from a licensed healthcare provider. A short note saying “please excuse this person” is usually not enough. The provider needs to describe the condition and explain why it prevents you from serving. Some counties, including Allegheny County, have their own medical infirmity certificate that the provider must complete and sign.8Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Medical Infirmity Certificate
Postponing Instead of Excusing
If you’re willing to serve but the scheduled week is a problem, ask for a postponement rather than an excusal. Most courts let you move your date within a window of about six months, and it’s typically a one-time option.9York County, PA. Excusal/Deferral The eJuror system usually displays a calendar of available start dates. If you’ve already postponed once, don’t expect a second delay without a compelling reason.
Review, Submit, and Save the Confirmation
Before you finalize anything, the portal shows a summary of your answers. Read it carefully. Once you submit, the record is locked, and most portals will not let you edit online afterward.2Montgomery County PA i-Juror. Online Profile Help If you catch a mistake later, you’ll have to call the jury office listed on your summons.
A successful submission produces a confirmation number or electronic receipt. Save it, print it, or screenshot it. That receipt is your proof that you responded on time. If you asked to be excused, your status may show as pending while a court administrator reviews the paperwork and decides.
What Happens If You Don’t Respond
A jury summons is a court order. Ignoring it has real consequences in both court systems. In Pennsylvania state court, a no-show juror can be held in contempt and fined up to $500, jailed for up to ten days, or both.4Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code Title 42 – Chapter 45 Juries and Jurors In federal court, failing to appear without good cause can bring a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days in jail, community service, or a combination.6Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1864 – Drawing of Names From the Master Jury Wheel
Courts generally send a follow-up notice before applying penalties, but counting on that is a gamble. Logging into eJuror takes a few minutes and settles the question.