Guides
Court fee waivers in Connecticut: who qualifies and how to apply
General information about Connecticut court procedure, not legal advice.
Court fees should not decide whether you can be heard. Connecticut waives court fees for people who cannot afford them, and when a waiver is granted the state also pays the cost of having your papers served. This guide covers who qualifies, what the application asks, and what happens after you file it.
What a waiver covers
A granted waiver covers the fees payable to the court, and the state pays the cost of service of process, which is the marshal's charge for delivering your papers. You can apply before you start a case or at any time while it is pending.
Who qualifies
The court grants the waiver when it finds you are unable to pay. Connecticut's rules presume you qualify if either of these is true:
- You receive public assistance, which includes state administered general assistance, temporary family assistance, aid to persons who are elderly, blind, or living with disabilities, food stamps, and supplemental security income.
- Your income, after taxes, mandatory wage deductions, and child care expenses, is 125 percent or less of the federal poverty level.
You can still qualify without meeting either test; the presumption is a floor, not a wall. The court looks at your actual ability to pay.
The application
The application states the facts behind your request: your current income, expenses, assets, and liabilities, along with employment and earnings records, and it lists the specific fees and service costs you are asking the court to waive. You swear to it; it is an affidavit, so the numbers must be accurate.
In family cases the form is the Application for Waiver of Fees (form JD-FM-75). The clerk's office has the right form for your case type.
What happens after you file
The clerk refers the application to a judge. If it is granted, the listed fees are waived and the state pays for service. If it is denied, you can ask the clerk to schedule a hearing on the application, where you explain your finances to the judge directly.
While you wait
If a filing deadline is close, ask the clerk's office how to file your papers together with the fee waiver application so nothing is late.
Where to get help
Connecticut's Court Service Centers offer free help for self-represented parties. The clerk's office can answer questions about procedure but cannot give legal advice. Legal aid organizations serve people who qualify. If you want legal advice, talk to a licensed Connecticut attorney.
ProSay is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ProSay is a self-help document preparation service.