If you cannot afford NJ court filing fees, Form CN-10806 lets you ask the court to waive them completely. Most people on public assistance qualify automatically — and you file the waiver the same day you file your case.
This is the most complete guide to the NJ fee waiver process available online — written specifically for pro se litigants navigating New Jersey courts without an attorney.
Quick Answer
Form CN-10806 is the official New Jersey "Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees." When approved, it waives filing fees, copy fees, and related court costs across all NJ Superior Court divisions — civil, family, landlord-tenant, and appellate.
This is a guide only — the court makes the final decision. Check all that apply.
Do you currently receive any of these benefits?
No public benefits? Check by income:
* Based on 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Thresholds update annually. Always verify with the court.
Transcript costs may be waived, but typically require a specific request — either noted on CN-10806 or through a separate motion. Ask the clerk at your courthouse about the procedure.
Determine if you qualify
Check whether you receive Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, TANF, or General Assistance — if yes, you qualify automatically. If not, calculate your total household income and compare it to 150% of the current Federal Poverty Level for your household size using the checker above.
Gather your documentation
For automatic (benefit-based) qualification: bring your benefit card, award letter, or a printout showing current enrollment. For income-based qualification: bring recent pay stubs (last 2–3 months) or bank statements showing direct deposits.
Complete Form CN-10806
Fill in your full legal name, current address, the case caption (plaintiff v. defendant), your docket number if already assigned, the type of fee you are requesting be waived, and your income or benefit information. Every field matters — leave nothing blank.
Sign the certification on the form
The form includes a certification under penalty of perjury. You are affirming that the financial information you provided is accurate. Sign it — this is your sworn statement.
Bring it to the clerk's window with your main filing
Hand CN-10806 to the clerk at the same moment you hand over your complaint, motion, or notice of appeal. Do not pay the fee first and try to get reimbursed — you cannot retroactively waive a fee you have already paid.
Receive the determination
In most cases, the clerk approves or denies the waiver at the window immediately. If denied, ask for the denial in writing and ask how to request judicial review. You have the right to have a judge review any denial.
Paying the filing fee first — you cannot get it refunded after the fact. If you might qualify, always submit CN-10806 before paying.
Leaving fields blank — an incomplete CN-10806 will almost always be denied at the window without explanation.
No documentation when income-based — if you do not receive public benefits, bring proof. Your word alone is not sufficient for income-based claims.
Filing it separately from your main document — CN-10806 must be submitted simultaneously with the filing that triggers the fee.
Using an outdated form — NJ occasionally updates its forms. Use the current version from njcourts.gov or the one provided by FormaPauper.
Not including the correct case caption and docket number if you already have one — incomplete caption = incomplete form.
Confusing gross income with net income — the FPL calculation uses gross (before tax) household income.
The CN-10806 process is statewide, but individual clerk's offices can vary slightly in how they process applications. A few things to know:
Hudson, Essex, Union, Passaic (high-volume counties)
These clerk's offices process many pro se filings daily. Arrive early, have everything organized, and expect the clerk to be efficient but brief. Ask specifically if denied: "I would like to request judicial review of this denial."
Family Part across all counties
Family Part clerks are generally familiar with CN-10806. For financial matters in Family Court, the fee waiver is commonly filed alongside an updated Case Information Statement (CN-10069). Having both ready together streamlines the process.
Appellate Division (Trenton)
The Appellate Division clerk's office processes appeals for the entire state. CN-10806 is accepted there for Notice of Appeal fees. The office is at Hughes Justice Complex, 25 Market St, Trenton, NJ 08611.
eCourts (electronic filing)
For cases filed through eCourts (ecourts.njcourts.gov), the fee waiver process is handled through the system's payment module. You will have the option to indicate indigency during the filing process.
CN-10806 is the official New Jersey "Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees" — the standardized form you file to ask the court to waive filing fees, copy fees, and other court costs based on financial hardship or public benefit eligibility. It is available from njcourts.gov and from every county courthouse clerk's office.
You qualify automatically — no additional proof of income required — if you currently receive Medicaid / NJ FamilyCare, SNAP (food stamps / EBT), SSI, TANF, or General Assistance. Simply bring your benefit card or award letter to the clerk's window when you file.
Your household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size. For 2025: 1 person = $22,590; 2 people = $30,660; 3 people = $38,730; 4 people = $46,800. These thresholds update annually — confirm current figures at njcourts.gov or asklsnj.com.
CN-10806 covers standard court filing fees (complaint, motion, notice of appeal), copy fees, and other court-imposed administrative costs. It does NOT cover attorney fees, expert witness fees, or sanctions imposed by court order.
File it at the same time as your main document — your complaint, motion, or notice of appeal. Hand both documents to the clerk together. Do not pay the fee first and then try to get reimbursed — you cannot retroactively waive a fee you already paid.
If the clerk denies your application at the window, ask for the denial in writing and the procedure to request judicial review. You have the right to have a judge review the denial. If denied by a judge, you can also explore payment plan options with the clerk's office.
The waiver applies to a specific filing or case event. If you file additional documents that require a fee (e.g., a second motion in the same case), you should submit CN-10806 again. There is no universal blanket waiver that covers all future filings indefinitely.
Yes. CN-10806 applies to Appellate Division filing fees as well. File it alongside your Notice of Appeal at the Appellate Division clerk's office in Trenton or your regional Appellate Division location.
From njcourts.gov/forms, from any NJ Superior Court clerk's office, or through FormaPauper — which includes it pre-captioned in your filing packet when you indicate you are seeking a fee waiver.
Sometimes. Transcript fees may be waived, but you typically need to make a specific request — either as part of CN-10806 or through a separate motion. Ask the court reporter or clerk about the process for your county.
FormaPauper automatically includes CN-10806 in your filing packet — pre-captioned with your case information — when you indicate you are seeking a fee waiver. You never have to hunt for the form.
Important: Not Legal Advice
FormaPauper is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information on this page is for general educational purposes and applies specifically to New Jersey courts. Court fees, income thresholds, and procedures change — always verify current requirements at njcourts.gov or with your county courthouse before filing. For complex matters, consult a licensed New Jersey attorney. Many counties offer free legal aid.