General information, not legal advice. NewLastName isn't a law firm, doesn't give legal advice about your situation, and doesn't refer you to lawyers.
How a name-change fee waiver works
A fee waiver is a court order that lets you file without paying the court's filing fee when you cannot afford it. It does not pay for a driver's license or passport, and the newspaper may bill you separately—ask the clerk. In California you ask with form FW-001. Start with your court's self-help page.
Last checked: 2026-10-10 for the court and agency pages linked here. California's filing fee was checked on the statewide civil fee schedule on 2026-10-19.
Key facts
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| California filing fee | California's filing fee is $435 ($450 in Riverside and San Francisco counties) (source: California Courts, https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/name-change; county amounts: statewide civil fee schedule). |
| California waiver form | FW-001, Request to Waive Court Fees |
| Social Security card | Free (source: Social Security). There is no fee to waive. |
| Passport fees | See the State Department fees page (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html) |
California: how you ask
- Read the information sheet first. The fee-waiver self-help guide says to read FW-001-INFO, then fill out form FW-001. You also fill out item 1 on form FW-003, the order.
- Show one way you qualify. The guide says you only need one path: you receive a listed public benefit, your household income is under the limit printed on FW-001 item 5b, or you cannot pay the fee and still meet basic needs.
- File it with the court. File the original and one copy with the clerk, with your other papers or on their own. The clerk or judge writes the decision on FW-003. The request is confidential.
- Know what it does not pay. The guide says a granted waiver can cover filing fees and some other court costs listed on FW-003. It does not cover lawyer fees, private mediation, fines, or a court reporter's transcript. The newspaper bills you separately. Ask the clerk whether a waiver reaches that charge.
What differs by state
Every state has a way to ask. Start with your court's self-help page. Do not assume another state's form number.
| State | What to check | Official page | State guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Filing fee $435 ($450 in Riverside and San Francisco counties) (source: California Courts, https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/name-change; county amounts: statewide civil fee schedule). | Fee-waiver page | State guide · Court petition page |
The itemized calculator is at the name-change cost calculator. The state-by-state table lives on name-change cost.
Free official help
California's self-help guide and the superior court self-help center in your county can walk through FW-001. That is help from the court, not a referral to a private lawyer.
Not legal advice. NewLastName is not a law firm, and not affiliated with any court or government agency.
Common questions
Can the court ask me to pay the fees later?
It can. California Courts says the court may later decide that some or all of the waived fees must be paid if your money situation gets better or you get money because of your case. The court must tell you first and give you a chance to ask for a hearing. Other states have their own rules, which vary by state.
Source: California Courts: fee waiver
What happens if my income goes up after the waiver is granted?
In California, the courts' fee-waiver guide says you must tell the court within 5 days, using form FW-010. The court may end the fee waiver if you no longer qualify. This is a California rule. Other states set their own reporting rules, so the court's self-help page in your state is the place to check.
Source: California Courts: fee waiver
How long does a California fee waiver last?
California Courts says a fee waiver expires 60 days after judgment is entered, the case is dismissed, or the judge makes a final decision. It can also end earlier if the court decides you no longer qualify. If something else is filed after it expires, a new fee-waiver request is needed for those fees. Rules in other states vary.
Source: California Courts: fee waiver
What if the court denies the fee waiver?
California Courts says that in most cases the fee then has to be paid to start the case. Depending on why the request was denied, you may be able to give the court more information, and the guide says you must act quickly. A court self-help center can explain the order. The steps in other states vary by state and county.
Source: California Courts: fee waiver
Is the information on the fee-waiver form shared with anyone?
California Courts says the information on the fee-waiver request form is confidential. Only the court can see it, and it does not have to be given to the other side. The form is signed under penalty of perjury, which means the information is promised to be true. Confidentiality rules in other states vary, so check with that state's court.
Source: California Courts: fee waiver
Also on this site
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.
- Fee waiver self-help guide (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Request to Waive Court Fees (form FW-001) (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-10.
- Name change self-help guide (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- GR 34 Request for Waiver of Civil Filing Fees and Surcharges (Washington State Courts) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Change your name with Social Security (Social Security Administration) Last checked 2026-10-09.
Not legal advice. NewLastName is not a law firm, and not affiliated with any court or government agency.