- About 2 minread
- General ideashold in most courts
- Checked October 30, 2026educational only
Fees vary by court and by the kind of paper. Check your court's current fee schedule rather than relying on any number you read online.
Why there are fees
Courts charge fees to start a case, to file certain motions, and for some services. The amounts differ across courts and change over time.
What a fee waiver is
A fee waiver is the court's permission to proceed without paying, or with reduced fees, because of limited income. Different courts use different names. In New York state courts it is often called asking to proceed as a poor person. Federal courts use the Latin phrase “in forma pauperis.”
What courts usually look at
- Your income and any benefits you receive.
- Your basic expenses and the people who depend on you.
- Whether you can pay the fee without giving up necessities.
How to find the right form
Start on your court's website or at its help center. Look for “fee waiver,” “poor person,” or “in forma pauperis.” Court staff can usually say which form is used and where to file it, though they cannot tell you whether it will be granted.
Be accurate
These forms are signed statements. Fill them in carefully and honestly, and keep a copy of what you submit.
