In most cases, you have to pay a fee to file papers with the court. If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can ask the court for a “fee waiver” in order to file for free. With a fee waiver, you also won't pay for certified copies, sheriff's service of process fees, court reporter fees, or most other costs related to starting a case.
The information you put on your application (fee waiver request form) is confidential.
PRINT EMAILTypically, you ask for a fee waiver when you first file papers and have to pay your first filing fee. You can also ask for a fee waiver if you can't afford fees later in your case.
We show approximate filing fees on this site. You can find exact fees on each county court's website or on the Statewide Court Fee Schedule.
Fee waivers expire 60 days after your case is finished (judgment entered, dismissal, or final decision by judge). They can also end if the court finds you no longer qualify for the fee waiver. Read more about the fee waivers on Form FW-001-INFO.
Look at Form FW-001-INFO. You may also need information about your income and expenses to fill out the fee waiver form. If you receive public benefits, you only need to check which benefit you receive on the form. You don't need to fill out the part about your income or expenses. If your household income is below a set amount, you will need to fill out information about your household income. You might need to look at copies of paystubs or other documents with your income, to fill out the forms. If you can't afford the fee and your household's basic needs, you will need to fill out information about your income and expenses. You might need to look at things like paystubs, bills, and bank statements, to fill out the forms.
Sign your request for a fee waiver under penalty of perjury . This means you promise the court that you are telling the truth and that you understand you can be punished for lying.
Also, fill out item 1 in Order on Court Fee Waiver (form FW-003).
Make a copy of your completed Form FW-001. You'll have 2 total, including the original. You don't need to copy Form FW-003.
Take your original and copy of your fee waiver forms to the court clerk. You can do this at the same time you file your other court papers. The clerk will tell you how long it will take to process your request for fee waiver. The clerk or judge will use the Form FW-003 to write their decision.
Can I file my forms by mail? Or online?Yes, you can file by mail. Mail the originals and to the clerk. You need to include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can mail your copies back to you. Make sure to include enough postage. If you do not include a self-addressed stamped envelope you will have to go to the courthouse to pick up your copies.
Some courts allow online filing. You can find out if your court has online filing by visiting your court’s website.
Once you've filed the Request for Fee Waiver, you can wait for the court's decision.
Your court papers are now fully filed. Your next step will likely be serving the papers to the other party in your case. If your income goes up after you get a fee waiver, you have to tell the court using form FW-010 . The court may end your fee waiver if you no longer qualify.
Go back to your steps Return to the step-by-step instructions for your case Go back to Home Start again at the Self Help Guide to the California CourtsIn most cases, you'll need to pay the fee to start your case. But depending on why the request was denied, you may still have options to show the court more information if you act quickly.
