You may be eligible if:
- you are or will be involved in a family, civil or small claims court matter;
- you are resident in Ontario
- you are not acting on behalf of a business or organization
- your fees are not being paid by a lawyer under a contingency fee agreement (an arrangement when the lawyer gets paid at the end of the case, depending on the outcome)
Documents listed in this section are examples of what can be included with your application. Please review the application instructions (How to Apply tab) to confirm the supplemental and required documents for this benefit.
Proof of residency in Province/ Territory
For example:
- lease agreement
- rent receipt
- household bill
- gas
- electricity
- cable television
- telephone
- driver's license
- vehicle registration or car insurance
- membership in social or professional organization
- Other:
- bank information
- employment information
To apply for Court Fees Waiver, you will need to do the following:
- If you think you meet the financial requirements, fill out the Fee Waiver Request to Registrar, Clerk or Sheriff (form FW-A-3).
- If you do not think you meet the financial requirements, fill out the Fee Waiver Request to Court (form FW-A 4).
- If you are a litigation guardian or special party representative acting for a ‘person under disability' and the person meets the financial requirements, fill out the Fee Waiver Request to Registrar, Clerk or Sheriff by a Litigation Guardian for a Person Under Disability or a Person Representing a Special Party (form FW-A 6).
- If you are a litigation guardian or special party representative acting for a ‘person with a disability’ and the person does not meet the financial requirements, fill out the Fee Waiver Request to Court by a Litigation Guardian for a Person Under Disability or a Person Representing a Special Party (form FW-A 7).
- Provide your tax return or notice of assessment for the most recent taxation year or any income like your most recent statement of earnings from your employer showing the total earnings paid in the year to date including overtime or your three most recent pay stubs or the most recent statement of income showing income from employment insurance, social assistance, a pension, workers compensation or disability payments.
Finally, you can submit your request either: