Getting Started
Application for Waiver of Court Fees
IMPORTANT: This getting started guide and the instructions are not legal advice. They are only
meant to help you learn how to use the Application for Waiver of Court Fees forms. Your use of
the forms does not guarantee you will be successful in court.
To learn how to fill out the forms and file them with the court, read the How to Ask the Judge to
Participate in a Court Case for Free or at a Reduced Cost instruction sheet and the instructions
on the forms.
• Application for Waiver of Court Fees
• Order for Waiver of Court Fees
To ask the court to let you participate in a court case for free
or at a reduced cost.
All civil cases. For example, divorce cases, family cases,
CAN be used for: eviction cases, small claims cases, foreclosure cases and
lawsuits for injury or property damage.
It can also be used in
expungement and sealing of criminal cases.
All criminal, traffic, and juvenile justice cases. If you need to
CANNOT be used for: ask for a fee waiver in a criminal case, you can use the
Application for Waiver of Criminal Court Assessments form
found here: illinoiscourts.gov/Forms/approved/Circuit.asp
papers needed to complete
the forms:
• You will need to know your income and expenses
information for the past 12 months. You also need to know
the value of your belongings, including any real estate.
• If you are filling this form out on behalf of a minor or
incompetent adult, you will need that person’s information.
• If
you get public benefits, you may want to bring current
proof of eligibility and a
benefits statement from the
agency providing the benefit when you file your forms.
•
If you don’t get public benefits, you may want to bring
documents showing your income, valu
e of belongings
(including real estate) and expense information when you
file your forms.
Statutes and rules covering
the forms:
• 735 ILCS 5/5-105 and 5/5-105.5
• Illinois Supreme Court Rule 298
Where to find the forms and
instruction sheet:
illinoiscourts.gov/Forms/approved/Circuit.asp
Read the How to Ask the Court to Participate in a Court Case
for Free or at a Reduced Cost instruction s
with these form
s. You may also find more information,
resources, and the location of your local county self help
center at: illinoislegalaid.org/FeeWaiver
.
Find Illinois Supreme Court approved forms at: illinoiscourts.gov/Forms/approved/.
WA-G 601.5
(06/20)
