(a) An application for initial fee waiver under rule 3.55 must be made on Request to Waive Court Fees (form FW-001). An application for initial fee waiver under rule 3.56 must be made on Request to Waive Additional Court Fees (Superior Court) (form FW-002). The clerk must provide the forms and the Information Sheet on Waiver of Superior Court Fees and Costs (form FW-001-INFO) without charge to any person who requests any fee waiver application or indicates that he or she is unable to pay any court fee or cost. (Subd (a) lettered effective September 1, 2015; adopted as unlettered subd. effective January 1, 2007.)
Rule 3.51.Method of application
Division 2. Waiver of Fees and Costs · Last amended 2015 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.51 specifies the Judicial Council forms used to apply for a court fee waiver, including separate versions for guardians and conservators applying on behalf of a ward or conservatee, and requires clerks to hand out the forms free of charge.
Full Text of Rule 3.51
(b) Applications involving (proposed) wards and conservatees An application for initial fee waiver under rules 3.55 and 7.5 by a probate guardian or probate conservator or a petitioner for the appointment of a probate guardian or probate conservator for the benefit of a (proposed) ward or conservatee, in the guardianship or conservatorship proceeding or in a civil action or proceeding in which the guardian or conservator is a party on behalf of the ward or conservatee, must be made on Request to Waive Court Fees (Ward or Conservatee) (form FW-001-GC). An application for initial fee waiver under rule 3.56 by a guardian or conservator or a petitioner for the appointment of a guardian or conservator for the benefit of a (proposed) ward or conservatee must be made on Request to Waive Additional Court Fees (Superior Court) (Ward or Conservatee) (form FW-002-GC). (Subd (b) adopted effective September 1, 2015.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.51 turns the fee-waiver concept into paperwork. An applicant seeking the fees and costs listed in Rule 3.55 files a Request to Waive Court Fees; an applicant seeking the additional fees in Rule 3.56 files a separate Request to Waive Additional Court Fees. Court clerks cannot charge for these forms or for the information sheet that explains the process, and they must hand them over to anyone who asks or who indicates an inability to pay a court fee.
A parallel set of forms exists for guardians and conservators who apply on behalf of a ward or conservatee, whether the case is the guardianship or conservatorship proceeding itself or a separate civil action in which the guardian or conservator is a party representing that person’s interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What form do you use to apply for a California court fee waiver?
Do court clerks have to give out fee-waiver forms for free?
Yes. Rule 3.51(a) requires the clerk to provide the application forms and information sheet without charge to anyone who requests them or indicates an inability to pay court fees.
Is there a different fee-waiver form for a guardian or conservator applying on behalf of a ward?
Yes. Rule 3.51(b) directs guardians and conservators to separate forms built for applications made on behalf of a ward or conservatee.
Amendment History
Rule 3.51 amended effective September 1, 2015; adopted effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2007 and July 1, 2009.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from
the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: FW-001 fee waiver form Californiahow to apply for court fee waiverfee waiver form for conservator or guardian