Skip to content
LitigationForms
FW-001Mandatory

Request to Waive Court Fees

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective March 1, 2026

This form is used to ask the court to waive the fees and costs you would normally have to pay to file papers or receive court services. You must provide information about your income and property to the court.

The court describes it as: Ask the court to let you file papers and receive services without paying court fees and costs because you are getting public benefits, you are a low-income person, or you do not have enough income to pay your basic needs and your court fees.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Motions

Stage: Motions

This form is used when a person believes they are receiving public benefits, are low-income, or do not have enough money to cover their basic needs and the court fees.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

Who should fill out this form?
The person asking the court to waive the fees fills out this form. You must include your name and case number. Great care must be taken to fill out all sections accurately.
What happens if the court grants the fee waiver?
If the court waives the fees, you might still have to pay later if your financial situation gets better, if you cannot prove your eligibility, or if you settle a civil case for $10,000 or more.
Do I have to go to a hearing?
If your lawyer is not providing legal-aid services based on your low income, you may have to go to a hearing to explain why you are asking the court to waive the fees.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect March 1, 2026.

Related forms

  • FW-001-INFO

    Information Sheet on Waiver of Superior Court Fees and Costs

    This sheet explains who can ask the court to waive fees and costs so that a person can go to court without paying. It tells people what forms to use to make this request.

    OptionalFillable PDF4 translations
  • FW-010

    Notice to Court of Improved Financial Situation or Settlement

    This form is used to tell the court that your financial situation has changed, either because it has improved or because your case has settled. It asks the court to either end your current fee waiver or to review your finances again to see if you still qualify for a waiver.

    MandatoryFillable PDF1 translation
  • FW-001-GC

    Request to Waive Court Fees (Ward or Conservatee)

    This form is used to ask the court to let you file papers and receive services without paying court fees and costs. It is used when the person needing help (the ward or conservatee) or their family has low income or receives public benefits.

    MandatoryFillable PDF4 translations
  • FW-002

    Request to Waive Additional Court Fees (Superior Court)

    This form asks the court to waive extra court fees and costs that were not included in a previous fee waiver order. It requires the person filling it out to provide personal information and explain why the additional fees are needed.

    OptionalFillable PDF1 translation
  • FW-002-GC

    Request to Waive Additional Court Fees (Superior Court) (Ward or Conservatee)

    This form is used by a guardian or conservator, or someone asking for one, to ask the court to waive extra court fees and costs that were not covered in a previous order. It asks for details about the person needing the waiver and what specific fees are needed.

    MandatoryFillable PDF1 translation
  • FW-010-GC

    Notice to Court of Improved Financial Situation or Settlement (Ward or Conservatee)

    This form is used to tell the court that the financial situation of a ward or conservatee has changed, and it asks the court to either end or continue a fee waiver. It also addresses what happens if the case settles for a certain amount of money.

    MandatoryFillable PDF1 translation
  • FW-020

    Request for Court Reporter by Party with Fee Waiver

    This form lets a party ask the court for a court reporter for a hearing or trial without having to pay for the service. It is used when the court reporter or electronic recording is not already set up.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • FW-003

    Order on Court Fee Waiver (Superior Court)

    This form is a court order that tells you if the court agrees to let you file papers or get services without paying the required court fees and costs. It explains what fees are waived and what happens if you do not pay the fees later.

    MandatoryFillable PDF1 translation