Fee Waiver (In Forma Pauperis)
A court order that lets you file a case without paying the usual court fees because you cannot afford them.
If you cannot afford to pay court filing fees, you can ask the court to waive them. This is called filing “in forma pauperis,” which is Latin for “in the manner of a poor person.” In Minnesota, you fill out an application (called an IFP petition) that asks about your income, expenses, and assets. A judge then decides whether to grant the waiver.
Minnesota courts look at whether paying the fees would be a hardship for you. If you receive public assistance (like SNAP, MFIP, or SSI), you generally qualify. Even if you do not receive public assistance, you may still qualify based on low income. There is no single income cutoff: the judge considers your full financial picture.
A fee waiver can cover filing fees, service of process fees, and sometimes transcript fees. It does not cover attorney fees or other costs outside the court system. You can request a fee waiver in almost any type of case, including family court, eviction defense, small claims, and expungement.
Why it matters: Court fees can add up to hundreds of dollars. Without a fee waiver, some people simply cannot access the court system at all. The IFP process exists so that everyone has a chance to bring their case to court, regardless of income.
Example: Maria needs to file for divorce but cannot afford the $400 filing fee. She fills out the IFP application, attaches proof of her income and public assistance, and submits it to the court. The judge reviews her finances and grants the waiver, so Maria can file her divorce case without paying the fee.
When you need to file a court case but cannot afford the filing fees