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Information Sheet on Waiver of Court Fees

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FW-001-INFO

INFORMATION SHEET ON WAIVER
OF COURT FEES AND COSTS

(California Rules of Court, rule 985)

If you have been sued or if you wish to sue someone, and if you cannot afford to pay court fees and costs, you may not have to pay them if:

1 You are receiving financial assistance under one or more of the following programs:

  • SSI and SSP (Supplemental Security Income and State Supplemental Payments Programs)
  • CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act, implementing TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, formerly AFDC, Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program)
  • The Food Stamp Program
  • County Relief, General Relief (G. R.), or General Assistance (G.A.)

If you are claiming eligibility for a waiver of court fees and costs because you receive financial assistance under one or more of these programs, and you did not provide your Medi-Cal number or your social security number and birthdate, you must produce documentation confirming benefits from a public assistance agency or one of the following documents, unless you are a defendant in an unlawful detainer action:

PROGRAM VERIFICATION
SSI/SSP Medi-Cal Card or
Notice of Planned Action or
SSI Computer-Generated Printout or
Bank Statement Showing SSI Deposit or
"Passport to Services"
CalWORKs/TANF
(formerly known as AFDC)		 Medi-Cal Card or
Notice of Action or
Income and Eligibility Verification Form or
Monthly Reporting Form or
Electronic Benefit Transfer Card or
"Passport to Services"
Food Stamp Program Notice of Action or
Food Stamp ID Card or
"Passport to Services"
General Relief/General Assistance Notice of Action or
Copy of Check Stub or
County Voucher

-OR-

2. Your total gross monthly household income is less than the following amounts:

NUMBER IN
FAMILY		 FAMILY
INCOME
1 $ 1,028.83
2 1,375.00
3 1,729.16
4 2,083.33
5 2,437.50
NUMBER IN
FAMILY		 FAMILY
INCOME
6 $ 2,791.66
7 3,145.83
8 3,500.00
Each
additional		 354.46

-OR-

3. Your income is not enough to pay for the common necessaries of life for yourself and the people you support and also pay court fees and costs.

To apply, fill out the Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs (Form 982(a)(17)) available from the clerk's office. If you claim no income, you may be required to file a declaration under penalty of perjury. Prison and jail inmates may be required to pay up to the full amount of the filing fee.

If you have any questions and cannot afford an attorney, you may wish to consult the legal aid office, legal services office, or lawyer referral service in your county (listed in the Yellow Pages under "Attorneys").

If you are asking for review of the decision of an administrative body under Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.5 (administrative mandate), you may ask for a transcript of the administrative proceedings at the expense of the administrative body.

Form Adopted for Mandatory Use

Judicial Council of California

FW-001-INFO [Rev. January 1, 2007]

INFORMATION SHEET ON WAIVER OF
COURT FEES AND COSTS
(in Forma Pauperis)

Government Code, § 68511.3

Cal. Rules of Court, rule 986

electronic form © 2004

WWW.LawCA.com

Law Publishers

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What the Information Sheet on Waiver of Court Fees Is and when it’s used

The Information Sheet on Waiver of Court Fees is a concise explanatory document that accompanies an application or motion asking a court to waive filing and service fees for low-income or indigent parties. It summarizes eligibility criteria, required evidence (income, benefits, or hardship), procedural steps, and typical outcomes. The sheet is not the waiver petition itself but serves to guide applicants and clerks, list supporting documents to attach, and explain timing. Electronic completion and secure submission are often permitted under ESIGN (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA provisions where adopted.

Why a clear information sheet matters in fee-waiver requests

A well-prepared information sheet reduces errors, speeds clerk review, and improves the likelihood the court can evaluate eligibility promptly. It clarifies evidence requirements and helps applicants avoid procedural grounds for denial before judicial review.

Why a clear information sheet matters in fee-waiver requests

Who typically prepares and uses this information sheet

The information sheet is used by self-represented litigants, court clerks, legal aid programs, and attorneys to streamline fee-waiver requests.

  • Self-represented litigants who lack funds to pay court fees and need to document income, assets, or public benefits quickly.
  • Legal aid and pro bono attorneys preparing supporting evidence and narratives for indigency on behalf of clients.
  • Court clerks who receive filings and use the sheet to checklist required documents and assignment to judicial review.

Primary users and signatories for the information sheet

Applicant — Individual

An unrepresented person seeking a fee waiver signs to attest under penalty of perjury to the truthfulness of income and benefit statements; courts typically require a dated signature and may request supporting documents such as pay stubs, benefit letters, or a sworn affidavit.

Representative — Attorney

A licensed attorney or authorized nonprofit representative may complete and sign the sheet on the applicant’s behalf, adding contact information and a statement of representation; the clinician or advocate should keep client authorization and documentation consistent with court rules.

Core components of a professional Information Sheet on Waiver of Court Fees

A complete information sheet groups identity data, financial disclosures, supporting documents, a sworn statement, filing instructions, and contact details. Present items in a logical order to help clerks and judges assess eligibility quickly.

Applicant identity

Full legal name, date of birth, address, phone, and case number if already assigned; include alternate contact if necessary.

Income and benefits

Monthly and annual income, employer name, public benefits (SNAP, SSI, Medicaid) and frequency; specify household size.

Assets and expenses

Brief summary of liquid assets, property ownership, regular monthly expenses, and any extraordinary medical or childcare costs.

Supporting documents

List and attach pay stubs, benefit award letters, bank statements, or a sworn affidavit explaining gaps or irregular income.

Sworn attestation

Signature and date under penalty of perjury. Indicate whether notarization or verification is required by the local court rule.

Filing details

Where to file, clerk contact, whether in-person, mail, or electronic filing is accepted, and expected response timeframe.

Step-by-step: completing and submitting the information sheet

Follow a short, sequential checklist to prepare documents, verify identity, and route the sheet to the correct court office.

  • 01
    Gather documents: Collect pay stubs, benefit letters, bank statements, and a photo ID.
  • 02
    Complete the sheet: Enter accurate amounts, household details, and contact information on the form.
  • 03
    Sign and verify: Sign under penalty of perjury; notarize if required or provide required authentication.
  • 04
    Submit to clerk: File with the court clerk per local rules: e-filing, in person, or mail as specified.

Where the completed information sheet goes and how it’s processed

Understanding the routing helps applicants know who reviews the request and what to expect next from the court.

  • Clerk intake: Initial review for completeness and attached evidence; clerks may request missing items.
  • Clerk screening: Clerk enters the request in case records and may provisionally grant or forward to a judge.
  • Judicial review: A judge reviews the facts and supporting documents when required by local procedure.
  • Notice of decision: Court issues a written order granting or denying waiver and notes any conditions.

Configuring an online completion workflow for the sheet

Digital workflows reduce manual handling and help ensure required fields and attachments are provided before submission.

Field Configuration
Upload PDF Use a flattened PDF or fillable form for consistent field placement.
Required fields Set core fields as mandatory to prevent incomplete submissions.
Attachment checks Require at least one supporting file upload for income or benefits.
Authentication Add signer email verification, SMS code, or stronger methods for identity assurance.

Technical considerations for eSubmission and digital signing

Confirm the court accepts electronic forms and which file types and authentication levels it requires before digital submission.

  • File formats: PDF or PDF/A is preferred for stable presentation and long-term retention.
  • Authentication: Email link or SMS code is common; some courts require stronger ID verification.
  • Integrations: Platforms often integrate with case management and cloud storage for secure filing.

Essential data fields to include on the sheet

Applicant name: Full legal name
Contact details: Address and phone
Income summary: Monthly and annual figures
Benefit status: List program names
Attachments: Pay stubs/awards
Signature: Signed and dated

Consequences of incorrect or false information

Denial of waiver: Application rejected
Perjury exposure: Criminal penalties
Filing delay: Court timeline paused
Fee assessment: Clerk may require payment
Case dismissal: Possible elimination of claims
Record implications: Negative public record

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the information sheet

  • Leaving required fields blank or using inconsistent names across documents.
  • Failing to attach current supporting documents such as recent pay stubs or benefit letters.
  • Signing before notarization when a notary or RON is required by local rules.
  • Using informal estimates instead of exact dollar amounts or dated evidence.

Typical filing timing and response expectations

Deadlines and processing times vary by jurisdiction; submit the sheet as early as possible and follow local clerk instructions for expedited review if available.

When to file:

File at case initiation or with the first pleading.

Clerk review period:

Clerk may screen within days to weeks depending on caseload.

Judge decision:

Decision timeframe varies; expect one to four weeks typically.

Emergency requests:

Request immediate consideration where fees would prevent filing time-sensitive relief.

Appeals or motions:

Follow court rules for post-decision motions or reconsideration.

Key milestones in the fee-waiver workflow

Track these sequential milestones from preparation through resolution to anticipate next actions and approximate timelines.

01

Prepare packet

Assemble form, attachments, and identification before submission.

02

File with clerk

Clerk logs the request and checks for basic completeness.

03

Clerk screening

Clerk may provisionally accept or forward to judge for review.

04

Judicial order

Court issues written grant, denial, or conditional order.

Practical examples of how the information sheet is used

Real-world scenarios clarify when and how to prepare the sheet and what attachments are persuasive to a court.

Self-Help Filing

A single parent with variable hourly work uses the sheet to list monthly income and childcare costs

  • Attached two pay stubs and a SNAP award letter
  • The clerk provisionally accepted the filing and the judge granted the waiver after reviewing the submitted documents and short affidavit.

Legal Aid Support

A nonprofit attorney completes the sheet for a client facing eviction

  • Included certified benefit letters and bank statements
  • The court issued a conditional fee waiver and directed the tenant to mediation; attorney retained a copy in the case file.

Tips for accurate, efficient completion of the information sheet

Follow these practical tips to avoid delays and make the court’s review straightforward and document-ready.

Prepare verifiable evidence
Attach dated pay stubs, benefit award letters, or bank statements rather than informal estimates. If income fluctuates, explain the pattern and include a recent 30-day snapshot to help the court assess current need.
Use consistent names and dates
Ensure the applicant’s name, case caption, and dates match across the information sheet, petition, and attachments. Inconsistencies often trigger clerk requests for clarification and lengthen processing times.
Follow local format and rules
Use the court’s prescribed form where available, sign in the required place, and notarize only if the local rule or the form explicitly requires it. Electronic submissions must meet the court’s e-filing authentication standards.
Keep a complete copy
Retain a dated copy of the completed sheet and attachments, and record how and when you filed. If using digital signing or RON, preserve the audit trail and certificate of completion to prove execution and submission.

Typical eSignature vendor pricing and feature comparisons for completing and submitting this sheet

A basic vendor comparison helps legal clinics and court vendors understand relative entry costs and common compliance features; signNow is listed first per internal ordering rules.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies Varies Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about the Information Sheet on Waiver of Court Fees

Answers to common procedural and technical questions help applicants avoid mistakes and know what to expect after submission.


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