Filing fees and fee waivers

Small claims runs $30 to $75 depending on the amount and how many claims you have filed that year. Limited civil is roughly $225 to $370. Unlimited civil is about $435. An unlawful detainer answer is around $240 to $385.

These are first-appearance fees set by statute and adjusted periodically. Your county posts its current schedule, and the clerk will tell you the exact number.

FW-001 Request to Waive Court Fees, filed with the FW-003 order, goes to the same clerk at the same window as your case. There is no separate hearing in most cases and no fee to ask.

You qualify automatically if you receive Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, SSI, SSP, IHSS, CAPI, County Relief, General Assistance, or Tribal TANF. You also qualify if your gross monthly household income is under the published limit for your household size.

If neither applies but paying the fee would leave you unable to cover basic living expenses, you can still ask under the hardship section and explain why.

The waiver covers the court's fees: filing, first appearance, some clerk services. It does not cover a private process server, certified mail, or a sheriff's fee for a levy, although a granted waiver often reduces the sheriff's charge as well.