This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

California — Fee Waiver & Indigency

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200% of federal poverty level

Eligibility threshold based on household income. Enter your income + household size below for an exact calculation.

Cal. Gov. Code § 68632(b)(1)

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California Court Fee Waivers: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

In California, fee waiver eligibility for indigent litigants is determined by whether the applicant’s household income falls at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, as specified in Cal. Gov. Code § 68632(b)(1). This statute establishes the income threshold as the primary basis for presumptive indigency, meaning the court presumes the applicant qualifies without further inquiry if their income meets that level. The law does not rely on a single dollar figure but uses the percentage-based guideline, which adjusts annually. The official source at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov provides the exact statutory language and any additional factors or exceptions. The calculator below applies this rule using current guidelines to estimate your eligibility.

Governing authority

In California, the fee waiver indigency rule is set by Cal. Gov. Code § 68632(b)(1). The verified packet cites Cal. Gov. Code § 68632(b)(1) (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=68632.).

California fee waiver indigency: the verified value is 200% under Cal. Gov. Code § 68632(b)(1). The verified packet cites Cal. Gov. Code § 68632(b)(1) (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=68632.).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the fee waiver indigency calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.