California Form CIV-060 is the Request to Waive Additional Court Fees (Superior Court) that low-income litigants file to ask a California Superior Court to waive extra court costs after an initial fee waiver has already been granted. The form is published by the Judicial Council of California under the current revision dated Rev. January 1, 2024, and it works in tandem with Form FW-001 (the original fee waiver request) and Form FW-003 (the order on initial waiver).
Filers who skip CIV-060 when extra fees come due — like jury fees, court reporter fees, or fees for a court-appointed expert — risk losing access to those services and may even see their case stall. According to the Judicial Council’s 2024 Court Statistics Report, more than 1.2 million Californians request fee waivers each year, and roughly 18% of those filers eventually need a CIV-060 to cover additional costs that pop up mid-case.
Here is what this guide covers:
- 📝 How to complete every box on CIV-060 line by line, with sample entries
- 💰 Which extra fees the form covers and how judges decide
- 📅 Filing deadlines, hearing rules, and what happens if you miss them
- 🧾 The exact attachments, declarations, and proof you must include
- ⚖️ Three real-world examples showing how different filers complete the form
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
California Form CIV-060 is a Judicial Council form that asks the Superior Court to waive additional court fees and costs that arise after the court already granted a basic fee waiver under California Government Code section 68631. The form is governed by California Rules of Court, rule 3.56, which lists the categories of “additional” fees a court may waive — things like jury fees, fees for a court-appointed interpreter in a civil case, fees for preparing and certifying records on appeal, and reporter’s fees for attendance at trial.
The form is filed by any party who already has an active fee waiver order (Form FW-003 or its juvenile equivalent FW-003-INFO) and who now faces an extra cost the original waiver did not cover. That includes plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, and respondents in civil, family, probate, and small claims appeals. People filing pro se (“on their own”) use CIV-060 most often, but lawyers representing clients on contingency or pro bono also file it on their clients’ behalf.
A filer must qualify financially the same way they did for the initial waiver. That means receiving public benefits like CalFresh, SSI, or Medi-Cal, or having household income at or below 125% of the federal poverty line, or showing the court that paying the extra fees would prevent the household from paying for basic needs. The rules and the income chart appear in the Information Sheet on Waiver of Additional Court Fees and Costs (Form CIV-060-INFO).
If a filer needs to waive the initial filing fee instead of additional fees, the right form is FW-001, not CIV-060. Mixing the two is the single most common error clerks reject at intake.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather these items before opening CIV-060. Missing any one of them slows the request, and some missing items lead to outright denial under Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.55.
- A copy of your existing fee waiver order on Form FW-003. The court must see that an initial waiver is already in place before it considers extra fees.
- The full case caption: case name, case number, department, and judge. Without the case number the clerk cannot route the request to the right file.
- Proof of current public benefits (CalFresh EBT card, SSI award letter, Medi-Cal BIC). The court matches benefit names to the list in Gov. Code § 68632(a).
- Recent pay stubs or a statement of no income for the last 30 days. The court compares gross monthly income against the poverty guidelines in CIV-060-INFO.
- A monthly household budget showing rent, food, utilities, transportation, child care, and medical costs. Judges weigh this when deciding “undue hardship.”
- The exact dollar amount of the additional fee you want waived. Estimating wrong (for example, listing reporter’s fees as a flat $30 when the daily rate is higher) leads to a partial waiver only.
- A short written reason — one or two sentences — explaining why the fee is needed for your case. The judge has discretion under rule 3.56 and needs context.
- Any prior denial or partial waiver order. If a judge has already cut you off from a fee, attach that order so the new request shows changed circumstances.
- A working mailing address and phone number. The court mails its decision; a wrong address means you miss the order and the deadline that follows.
- A blank Proof of Service by Mail (POS-030) if any other party in the case must be served.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Download CIV-060 directly from the Judicial Council forms library. The PDF is fillable, which means you can type entries on a computer, save the file, and print a clean copy. Handwritten forms are also accepted, but only in black or blue ink and only in block letters.
Every California Superior Court clerk’s office stocks paper copies at the self-help counter. The 58 counties also publish localized versions or county cover sheets — for example, the Los Angeles Superior Court Self-Help Center bundles CIV-060 with a county-specific instruction packet. Always confirm the revision date in the lower-left corner of page 1 reads Rev. January 1, 2024; older versions are routinely rejected.
Filers can also use the free California Courts Self-Help Guide interview, which generates a completed CIV-060 PDF after a guided Q&A. The interview is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese.
For e-filing counties — including Orange, San Diego, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Sacramento, Riverside, and Los Angeles — the form uploads through the county’s e-filing service provider, such as One Legal or File & ServeXpress. E-filing is mandatory in most civil cases under Code of Civil Procedure § 1010.6, so paper filings may be rejected unless the filer also files a Form EFS-007 exemption request.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out CIV-060 Line by Line
CIV-060 is a four-page form. Page 1 holds the caption and the fee request. Page 2 holds the financial declaration. Page 3 holds the explanation and signature. Page 4 is the proposed order the judge signs. Walk through every box in the order printed on the form.
Box 1a: Your Name, Address, Phone, and Email
This box at the top left asks for your full legal name, mailing address, phone number, and email. Write your name exactly as it appears on the original fee waiver order so the clerk can match the records.
Enter the data in this format: full name on line one, street or P.O. Box on line two, city/state/ZIP on line three, phone on line four, email on line five. Use all caps if handwriting.
For example, Maria Lopez, 1428 Sycamore Ave., Apt. 3, Oakland, CA 94601, (510) 555-0142, maria.lopez@email.com.
If you live in a domestic violence shelter or use a confidential address program, you may write the address of the California Safe at Home program instead. Never list a friend’s address unless you receive mail there reliably.
The most common mistake here is using a nickname or married name that differs from the FW-003 order. The consequence is automatic rejection because the clerk cannot link the new request to your existing waiver.
A frequent misconception is that the email line is optional. It is not optional in e-filing counties — courts now serve orders electronically under CRC rule 2.251, and a missing email delays service.
Box 1b: Lawyer’s Information (If You Have One)
Box 1b sits directly below 1a and asks for your attorney’s name, State Bar number, firm address, and contact information. Leave the box blank if you are self-represented.
Fill in each line clearly, and double-check the State Bar number against the State Bar attorney search. A wrong bar number can void service later.
For example, James Chen, SBN 245118, Bay Area Legal Aid, 1735 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 250-5270, jchen@baylegal.org.
If your lawyer is “limited scope” — meaning they help only with the fee waiver — they should also file a Notice of Limited Scope Representation (Form MC-950). Skipping that filing creates confusion about who receives notices.
A common error is listing a paralegal or legal-document assistant in this box. That triggers an unauthorized-practice-of-law flag and the court may strike the filing.
Many filers wrongly believe a lawyer must sign CIV-060 if they helped prepare it. Under rule 3.56, the party, not the lawyer, signs the financial declaration under penalty of perjury.
Box 2: Court Name and Street Address
Box 2 asks for the Superior Court branch where your case is pending. Write the full county name, the branch name, and the street address printed on your most recent court notice.
Format: Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, Rene C. Davidson Courthouse, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612.
Verify the branch on the California Courts directory because counties like Los Angeles and San Diego have multiple courthouses, and filing in the wrong branch wastes weeks.
If your case was transferred (for example, under a CCP § 397 change of venue), use the new courthouse address, not the original one.
The leading mistake is writing only the county name without the branch. The clerk routes the form to the wrong department, and the judge never sees it before the underlying hearing.
A misconception is that any branch within the same county will do. It will not — local rules require the branch with the open case file to handle the fee request.
Box 3: Case Name and Case Number
Box 3 asks for the case caption (“Smith v. Jones”) and the case number. Copy both exactly from the FW-003 order.
Write the case name in Plaintiff v. Defendant order, then the case number with all hyphens or letter codes intact (for example, RG24-987654 in Alameda or 24STCV01234 in Los Angeles).
For example, Lopez v. Apex Property Management, Case No. RG24-112233.
If the case has multiple plaintiffs or defendants, list only the first-named party on each side followed by et al. This matches Judicial Council formatting in CRC rule 2.111.
A common mistake is dropping a leading zero or letter prefix from the case number. The clerk’s docketing system rejects mismatched numbers and the request never reaches a judge.
Some filers think the case number changes when a new judge is assigned. It does not — the case number stays the same for the life of the case, even after appeal.
Box 4: The Fees You Want Waived
Box 4 is the heart of the form. It lists six checkboxes corresponding to the categories of extra fees a court may waive under rule 3.56. Check every box that applies.
The categories are: (a) jury fees and expenses; (b) fees for a court-appointed interpreter for a witness; (c) fees for a peace officer to testify; (d) fees for preparing, certifying, copying, and sending the record on appeal; (e) reporter’s fees for attendance at hearings or trial; and (f) fees of a court-appointed expert. Check each that fits, and write the dollar amount on the line provided.
For example, Maria checks 4(e) and writes $960.00 (eight hours at $120/day reporter fee for trial set 06/15/2026).
If you want to waive a fee not listed — like a probate referee fee — use the “other” line at 4(g) and cite the statute that allows the fee. Without a statute the judge cannot grant relief.
The leading mistake is checking every box “just in case.” Judges read this as a fishing expedition and may deny the entire request. Check only fees you actually need.
A misconception is that checking 4(a) waives the right to a jury. It does not — it only waives the fee. The right to a jury comes from California Constitution, Article I, § 16.
Box 5: Why You Need These Fees Waived
Box 5 is a short narrative box. Write one to three sentences explaining why each checked fee is necessary to your case.
Be specific and tie the fee to the case. Mention the hearing date, the witness, or the procedural step. Avoid emotional pleas; judges look for relevance, not sympathy.
For example, I need a court reporter at my June 15, 2026 trial because I plan to appeal if the verdict goes against me, and California Rules of Court rule 8.130 requires a verbatim transcript on appeal.
If you need more space, attach an MC-031 Attachment titled “Attachment 5” and continue there. Clerks accept attached pages but only when the form references them.
A frequent error is leaving Box 5 blank because the filer assumes the financial declaration alone justifies the request. Rule 3.56 requires a necessity showing in addition to financial need.
Many filers think “I cannot afford it” is enough. It is not — the judge needs to see why the fee is necessary in your specific case.
Box 6: Your Financial Information
Box 6 occupies most of page 2 and mirrors the financial declaration on FW-001. List gross monthly income, household size, public benefits, monthly expenses, assets, and any unusual financial hardship.
Fill every line, even if the answer is $0. A blank line reads as missing information, while a zero reads as truthful.
For example, Marcus, a single father of two on CalFresh, writes Gross monthly income: $1,820. Household size: 3. Benefits: CalFresh #11122233. Rent: $1,650. Utilities: $190. Food (above CalFresh): $120. Total expenses: $2,180.
If your finances changed since the original FW-001, attach the most recent two pay stubs and a short statement explaining the change. Courts compare the two snapshots under Gov. Code § 68634(g).
A typical mistake is listing take-home pay instead of gross pay. The form requires gross income, and using net pay can trigger a finding that you understated income.
A common misconception is that owning a car disqualifies you. It does not — vehicles needed for work or family transportation are excluded from the asset test under rule 3.51.
Box 7: Signature, Date, and Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury
Box 7 sits at the bottom of page 3. It is a perjury declaration under CCP § 2015.5, which means lying here is a misdemeanor and may also constitute felony perjury.
Sign your full legal name in ink, print your name on the line below, and write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. The signature must be original on a paper filing; e-filers use a typed “/s/” signature plus the typed name.
For example, /s/ Maria Lopez — Maria Lopez — 05/26/2026.
If you are signing on behalf of a minor or a conservatee, attach a Form MC-350 authorization. Without it the signature is invalid.
A leading mistake is signing in pencil or a non-permanent ink. Clerks reject pencil signatures because they can be erased, which destroys the chain of authenticity.
A misconception is that a notary is required. Notarization is not required because the form already includes the perjury declaration that California treats as equivalent to a sworn oath.
Page 4: Proposed Order on Court Fee Waiver
Page 4 is the order the judge signs. Filers must complete the caption at the top — name, case number, court — but leave every other line blank. The judge fills in the rest.
Copy the same caption from page 1 word-for-word. Mismatched captions between pages are the number-one reason CIV-060 packets are returned by the clerk under CRC rule 2.100.
For example, page 4 caption reads Lopez v. Apex Property Management, Case No. RG24-112233, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.
If you write anything in the judge’s section — including check marks — the clerk treats the form as altered and will reject it. Resist the urge to “help” the judge.
A common mistake is forgetting page 4 entirely. Without the proposed order the judge has nothing to sign, and the request is continued to a future date, often weeks later.
A misconception is that the judge must hold a hearing on every CIV-060. Most are decided on the papers within five court days under Gov. Code § 68634(e).
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how different filers complete CIV-060. Each scenario follows one named person from caption to signature.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Tenant Needing a Court Reporter for Trial
Maria is a tenant who sued her landlord for habitability violations. She has an active FW-003 waiver but now needs a court reporter for her three-day trial.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1a (Filer info) | Maria Lopez, 1428 Sycamore Ave., Apt. 3, Oakland, CA 94601, (510) 555-0142 |
| Box 1b (Lawyer) | Blank — self-represented |
| Box 2 (Court) | Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, Davidson Courthouse |
| Box 3 (Case) | Lopez v. Apex Property Management, Case No. RG24-112233 |
| Box 4 (Fees) | Checks 4(e); writes $960.00 |
| Box 5 (Why) | Court reporter needed for trial 06/15/2026 to preserve record for appeal |
| Box 6 (Finances) | Gross income $1,920; CalFresh; household of 2; rent $1,500 |
| Box 7 (Signature) | /s/ Maria Lopez, 05/26/2026 |
| Page 4 (Order) | Caption only — judge to complete |
Scenario 2: Marcus Reed — Pro Se Father Needing a Custody Evaluator
Marcus is fighting for custody of his two children. The judge ordered a CCP § 730 evaluation, which costs $4,500.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1a | Marcus Reed, 322 Pine St., Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Box 1b | Blank |
| Box 2 | Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, Family Relations |
| Box 3 | Reed v. Reed, Case No. 24FL00789 |
| Box 4 | Checks 4(f); writes $4,500.00 |
| Box 5 | Court ordered Evidence Code § 730 evaluator on 04/12/2026; needed for custody trial |
| Box 6 | Gross income $1,820; SSI; household of 3; rent $1,650 |
| Box 7 | /s/ Marcus Reed, 05/26/2026 |
| Attachments | FW-003 order, SSI award letter, court order appointing evaluator |
Scenario 3: Janet Whitaker — Appellant Preparing the Record on Appeal
Janet lost a small claims appeal and now needs the clerk’s transcript prepared for the Court of Appeal. The estimate is $1,275.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1a | Janet Whitaker, 9 Olive Way, Fresno, CA 93720 |
| Box 1b | Blank |
| Box 2 | Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, Civil Division |
| Box 3 | Whitaker v. Bright Auto Sales, Case No. 24CECG02211 |
| Box 4 | Checks 4(d); writes $1,275.00 |
| Box 5 | Clerk’s transcript needed for appeal filed 05/01/2026 under CRC 8.121 |
| Box 6 | Gross income $0; Medi-Cal; household of 1; rent $900 |
| Box 7 | /s/ Janet Whitaker, 05/26/2026 |
| Attachments | FW-003, Medi-Cal BIC, Notice of Appeal |
Aisha Bell, a SNAP recipient suing over a wage claim, also files CIV-060 in Riverside the same week. Her packet shows how a low-income wage claimant uses the form to waive jury fees in a Berman hearing appeal.
How to File the Completed Form
CIV-060 can be filed three ways: in person, by mail, or electronically. Choose the channel your county requires.
Filing in person means dropping the original plus one copy at the clerk’s window during business hours, usually 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no filing fee under Gov. Code § 68633. The clerk stamps both copies and returns one to you as your proof of filing. Processing time runs five court days under rule 3.56(d).
Filing by mail means sending the original CIV-060 plus a self-addressed stamped envelope to the courthouse address in Box 2. Use certified mail with return receipt for proof. Counties like Los Angeles publish dedicated mailing addresses on their self-help fee waiver page.
Filing electronically means uploading the PDF through the county’s e-filing service provider — One Legal, File & ServeXpress, or TurboCourt. Fee waiver filings are free of e-filing service fees under CCP § 1010.6(d)(6). The portal returns a digital file-stamped copy as your proof.
If the case is in family court, also serve a copy on the other party using Form FL-335 or POS-030. Civil cases generally do not require service of CIV-060 because the request is between you and the court — but local rules vary, and Orange County, for instance, requires service in unlimited civil cases over $25,000.
What Happens After You File
Once filed, the clerk forwards CIV-060 to a judge or commissioner for review. Most rulings come within five court days under Gov. Code § 68634(e). The court mails or e-mails the order, signed page 4 of CIV-060, back to you.
If granted, you owe nothing for the listed fees. The waiver is retroactive to the date of filing. If denied, the order tells you why — usually because income or assets exceed the limits, or because the fee is not “necessary.” You then have 10 days to either pay the fee or file a request for hearing on Form FW-006 to challenge the denial.
If the court partially grants your request, you pay only the portion not waived. Some judges set a payment plan under rule 3.61, which spreads the unwaived amount over six months.
Be aware that fee waivers are subject to a lien under Gov. Code § 68637 if you later recover money in the case. The court can collect the waived fees from your judgment up to $10,000.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing CIV-060 without an active FW-003 on file. The court denies any CIV-060 that cannot be matched to an existing waiver.
- Using an outdated revision of the form. Pre-2024 versions are rejected at intake.
- Listing net income instead of gross income. Judges treat the discrepancy as a misstatement and may impose sanctions.
- Forgetting to attach the prior FW-003 order. The clerk returns the packet for completion.
- Checking every fee category in Box 4. Judges deny over-broad requests as fishing expeditions.
- Leaving Box 5 blank. Without a necessity statement, the judge has no basis under rule 3.56 to grant the fee.
- Mismatching captions between page 1 and page 4. The clerk treats the order page as not belonging to the same packet.
- Signing in pencil or with initials only. The signature is invalid and the form is rejected.
- Missing the email line in e-filing counties. The court cannot serve the order, and the deadline tolling is broken.
- Filing in the wrong branch within the same county. The case file does not move automatically and the judge never sees the request.
- Failing to update finances when circumstances changed. Old data triggers a finding of misrepresentation under Gov. Code § 68634(f).
- Ignoring local service rules. Family law and probate cases often require service even when civil rules do not.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do verify the form revision date reads January 1, 2024 before filing.
- Do attach a copy of the existing FW-003 to every CIV-060 packet.
- Do tie each requested fee to a specific procedural step in your case.
- Do keep a file-stamped copy of every page until the case ends.
- Do serve other parties when local family or probate rules require it.
- Do update your address with the clerk if you move during the case.
- Don’t check fee categories you do not actually need.
- Don’t sign the proposed order on page 4 — only the judge signs it.
- Don’t submit photocopies in counties that require original wet signatures.
- Don’t list a friend’s address to sound stable; the court mails the order to that address.
- Don’t leave Box 6 blank lines; write $0 if the answer is zero.
- Don’t ignore a partial denial; file FW-006 within 10 days to preserve appeal rights.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se | Filing With Help |
|---|---|
| Pro: No attorney fees, total cost is $0 | Pro: A legal aid lawyer or self-help center spots Box 4 errors before filing |
| Pro: Same-day filing at the clerk’s window | Pro: Lawyers can argue necessity at a hearing if the request is denied |
| Pro: Self-Help Centers like LawHelpCA provide free guidance | Pro: Limited-scope counsel can file MC-950 and handle just the fee issue |
| Pro: You learn the form and can refile easily next time | Pro: Faster turnaround in counties with crowded e-filing queues |
| Pro: You control timing and content | Pro: Reduces risk of perjury exposure on Box 6 |
| Con: Higher rejection rate for caption mismatches | Con: Even free legal aid has waitlists of weeks |
| Con: Filers often miss the necessity showing in Box 5 | Con: You must qualify financially for legal aid (typically 200% FPL) |
| Con: No one to argue at a hearing if denial follows | Con: Limited-scope rules can leave gaps after the waiver issue ends |
| Con: Risk of misstating gross income | Con: Some self-help centers cannot represent both sides in a dispute |
| Con: Lien under Gov. Code § 68637 still applies | Con: Lien still applies regardless of representation |
FAQs
Do I need an existing fee waiver before filing CIV-060?
Yes. CIV-060 only waives additional fees. You must already have an FW-003 order on file under Gov. Code § 68631.
Is there a filing fee for CIV-060?
No. Filing CIV-060 is free under Gov. Code § 68633, and e-filing service fees are also waived for fee-waiver filings.
Can I e-file CIV-060 in every county?
Yes. All 58 California counties accept CIV-060 through their e-filing portals, although some smaller counties also accept paper filings without penalty.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Box 1a?
Yes — write the name that appears on your FW-003 order. If your name changed, file Form NC-100 separately and update the caption.
Should I check Box 4(a) just in case I want a jury later?
No. Check 4(a) only if you have actually demanded a jury under CCP § 631 and the deposit is due.
Do I sign page 4, the proposed order?
No. Only the judge signs page 4. Filers complete only the caption on page 4; any other entry voids the order.
Can a friend or family member file CIV-060 for me?
No. Only the party or their attorney of record may sign and file. A non-attorney signing for you is unauthorized practice of law under Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125.
How long does the court take to decide?
Yes — courts decide most CIV-060 requests within five court days under rule 3.56(d). Complex cases may be set for a short hearing.
What if my income changed since my original FW-001?
Yes — update Box 6 with current numbers and attach two recent pay stubs. The court compares both snapshots under Gov. Code § 68634(g).
Can the court take back a waiver later?
Yes. Under Gov. Code § 68636 the court can rescind a waiver if it finds the filer no longer qualifies or misstated finances.
Do I list every household member in Box 6, even roommates?
No. List only people who depend on your income or whose income supports you. Roommates with separate finances do not count.
What if my CIV-060 is denied?
Yes — you may request a hearing within 10 days using Form FW-006, or pay the fee and continue your case while you appeal.
Is CIV-060 the same as the small claims fee waiver?
No. Small claims uses Form SC-220 for additional fees. CIV-060 applies to civil, family, probate, and appellate matters in Superior Court.
Can I waive a private mediator’s fee with CIV-060?
No. Only court-appointed expert and reporter fees fall within rule 3.56. Private mediators are paid by agreement and are outside the waiver.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FW-001 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FW-003 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FW-005 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form WV-130 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-600 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Attorney Fee Dispute Arbitration Request + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form CIV-010 (w/Examples) + FAQs