Fees & Waivers

Anyone required to pay a fee in a court case may apply. You may request a waiver for yourself, your minor child, or an incompetent adult, but not for anyone else.

The Circuit Clerk can advise whether a fee is required to file a document with the court. Additional fees may arise during the course of a case. For example, the judge may assess certain fees, or the Sheriff’s Office may charge a fee for service of court documents.

The Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Civil)) allows you to share your income and expense information with the Court so it can decide if you qualify to have fees waived.

The Order for Waiver of Civil Court Fees (Order on Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Civil)) is used by the judge to show whether your request is approved or denied.

All civil case types, including divorce, family matters, evictions, small claims, and lawsuits involving personal injury or property damage.

No. You can file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees at any point during your case. Keep in mind, the Court may need a few days to review your request and decide if fees will be waived, so it’s best not to wait until the last minute. You are still responsible for meeting any required filing deadlines.

No, there is no cost for filing an Application for Waiver of Court Fees.

No. Once the Court approves an Order for Waiver of Court Fees in your case, you do not need to submit another application unless the Court asks for more information.

Step 1 – File the Forms with the Circuit Clerk

You must file your forms in the county where your case is pending. The Application for Waiver of Court Fees may be filed electronically or in person at the courthouse.

Make a copy of your completed Application for Waiver of Court Fees for your records. Submit the following to the Circuit Clerk:

1. Completed Application for Waiver of Court Fees
2. Order for Waiver of Court Fees
3. Any additional documents you are filing with your case

The Circuit Clerk will file-stamp and retain the original application in the court file. A file-stamped copy will be returned to you for your records.

Step 2 – Wait for a Decision

After your application is filed, it will be reviewed by a judge. The Court will determine whether your court fees will be waived.
The Court may request additional information or require a hearing before making a decision. You will be notified if further action is needed.

Once a decision is made, the judge will complete the Order for Waiver of Court Fees, which will state whether your request has been granted or denied. You will receive a copy of this order.
If your request is denied and you do not pay the required fees by the deadline provided, your case may be dismissed or ruled against you.

If your request is granted and you later receive money as a result of your case, the Court may require that some or all of those funds be used to pay previously waived fees.

Additional Resources

For more information and assistance, please visit Illinois Legal Aid Online.