Court Fees Waiver Program

• Fee waiver request form for the appropriate court situation.
• Proof of gross annual household income.
• Supporting financial documents, if requesting court review.
• Household income, expense, and asset details for court review.
• Relevant case document or order, when required.

Who is eligible?

• Individuals involved in family court matters.
• Individuals involved in civil court matters.
• Individuals involved in small claims court matters.

Who is not eligible

• Businesses and organizations.
• Applicants whose fees are paid under a contingency fee agreement.
• Applicants seeking waiver of criminal matter fees.

Eligible expenses

• Court filing fees.
• Most fees in the court proceeding from the date the waiver is granted.
• Court interpreter services for languages other than English or French.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Fees paid to non-court service providers.
• Criminal matter fees.
• Document service fees.
• Bankruptcy filing fees.
• Costs already ordered payable to another party.

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Requests are reviewed based on the submitted form and documents.
• Court staff review the request first.
• If staff do not approve it, a judge may review the request.
• The decision of staff or a judge is final.
• You receive a fee waiver certificate if approved.

• A separate fee waiver is required for each case or proceeding.
• The fee waiver certificate does not cover fees already paid.
• The court staff reviews requests first, and a judge may review them if needed.
• A fee waiver can be revoked if the case is found frivolous, vexatious, or an abuse of process.