Application for waiver of court fees and costs

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Can't Afford to Pay?

If you are unable to afford the court fees you may qualify for a waiver of those costs.

Apply for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs

Obtain an Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs Form from the court clerk or by downloading the Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs form from the California Courts website.

Fill out the form and submit to Family Law or Probate. If the judge approves your fee waiver request, your court fees will be waived.

Application for waiver of court fees and costs
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For hard copy of Waiver/Deferral of fees or questions please contact the Clerk of the Superior Court at 520-432-8600 or 520-803-3060.

Waiver/Deferral of Fees Packet

  1. Waiver Deferral of Fees Packet (PDF)
  2. Waiver Deferral of Fees Packet (Spanish) (PDF)

Requesting Waiver / Deferral of Fees Individual Forms

  1. Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees (PDF)
  2. Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees (Spanish) (PDF)
  3. Affidavit in Support of Application for Deferral or Waiver of Fees (PDF)
  4. Affidavit in Support of Application for Deferral or Waiver of Fees (Spanish) (PDF)
  5. Verification of Party's Receipt of Non-Profit Legal Services (if applicable) (PDF)
  6. Order Regarding Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees (PDF)
  7. Order Regarding Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees (Spanish) (PDF)

Supplementing a Fee Waiver or Deferral Application Individual Forms

  1. Notice of Court Fees and Costs Due (PDF)
  2. Notice of Court Fees and Costs Due (Spanish) (PDF)
  3. Supplemental Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees (PDF)
  4. Supplemental Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees (Spanish) (PDF)
  5. Order on Supplemental Application (PDF)
  6. Order on Supplemental Application (Spanish) (PDF)
  7. Consent Judgement for Court Fees and Costs (PDF)
  8. Consent Judgement for Court Fees and Costs (Spanish) (PDF)

If Your Supplemental Application Is Denied & You Would like to Request a Hearing

  1. Request and Order for a Hearing (PDF)
  2. Request and Order for a Hearing (Spanish) (PDF)
  3. Order on Supplemental Application After Hearing (PDF)
  4. Order on Supplemental Application After Hearing (Spanish) (PDF)
  5. Consent Judgement for Court Fees and Costs (PDF)
  6. Consent Judgement for Court Fees and Costs (Spanish) (PDF)

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Application for waiver of court fees and costs
Application for waiver of court fees and costs
Application for waiver of court fees and costs
Application for waiver of court fees and costs
Application for waiver of court fees and costs
Application for waiver of court fees and costs
Application for waiver of court fees and costs

The Clerk of the Superior Court now provides an electronic means for applying for the deferral and waiver of court fees. Please read the important details below thoroughly before proceeding to the application.   

Please select either Apply for Deferral or Waiver (English) or Apply for Deferral or Waiver (Spanish) to submit an application if the following factors apply to your situation:

  1. You will be starting a new case with the Court, AND,
  2. Your case will be a Family Court case, a Civil case, or a Tax case, AND,
  3. You need to have payment of filing fees and/or other court fees and costs deferred, that is, you need to pay later, AND,
  4. You understand that waivers, which excuse payment completely, are rarely granted at the beginning of a case.

Additional information regarding requests for deferrals or waivers:

  • You understand that if your request for deferral is granted, depending on your reported finances, you will later receive either a bill for the full amount or a payment plan from the Court.
  • You understand that in some instances, depending on your reported finances, you will have to pay a percentage of your total deferred fees when you file your documents with the Court.
  • You understand that filing these forms does not guarantee your fees will be deferred or waived, but that a deferral or waiver will be granted if you meet the requirements established by law.
  • You understand that IF your request for deferral is granted, a one-time charge of $30 will be added to your deferred fees.

How can I get my court fees waived in California?

There are 3 ways to qualify for a fee waiver: If you are receiving public benefits, like Medi-Cal, food stamps, CalWorks, General Assistance, SSI, SSP, Tribal TANF, IHHS, or CAPI; If your household income, before taxes, is less than the amounts listed on Form FW-001.

What is a fee waiver agreement?

Fee waiver means long-term waiver of fee payment when the substantial hardship causing an inability to pay is highly unlikely to change during the period of supervision.

What is the purpose of a fee waiver?

Fee waivers are generally given to students who demonstrate financial need. However, some schools will allow any student to avoid paying the application fee if they meet certain requirements, such as making an official on-campus visit.

How long does a fee waiver request take?

You should normally expect to wait around 4 weeks for a decision. If you are granted a fee waiver, you will be given a code.