Alberta Court of Justice Fee Waiver: How to Apply If You Cannot Afford Filing Fees

Filing Fees Should Not Block Access to Justice

Filing a Civil Claim in the Alberta Court of Justice costs $100 for claims up to $7,500 and $200 for claims between $7,500.01 and $100,000. For someone already dealing with an unpaid debt, a stolen deposit, or a landlord who kept a security deposit, those fees can feel like a wall.

Alberta has a fee waiver program for this situation. If your gross family income is below the threshold for your family size, you can apply to have certain fees payable to court officials waived. Receiving government financial assistance does not qualify you automatically.

Income and Supporting Documents

If you currently receive any of these government benefits, include current proof of receipt with your application. Receipt alone does not qualify you automatically; the court assesses your application against its income thresholds and other eligibility rules:

• Alberta Works / Income Support
• Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

Bring a current benefit statement or letter confirming receipt. The court reviews it with your income information and other supporting documents.

Income-Based Eligibility

Eligibility depends on your family's average gross income and the number of family members living in your household:

"Gross family income" means money received before taxes or deductions. Family includes people living in the same dwelling who are related by blood, marriage, common-law or adult interdependent relationship, or adoption. A child counts as a household member if they live with you at least 50% of the time.

How to Apply

Complete the Application for Fee Waiver and Statement of Finances. The form asks for:

• Your personal information and the court file number (if you already have one — you can apply before filing your claim)
• Your family's gross income from all sources over approximately the past three months, family size, and proof of income
• A declaration signed under oath or affirmation

Attach proof of income, such as your most recent tax return or Notice of Assessment, or pay stubs or income statements for the last three months. Include proof of your spouse's or partner's income and any other documents needed to establish your financial situation.

Submit the completed form and supporting documents at the same court where you plan to file the documents for which you want the fee waived. A Senior Judicial Clerk reviews the request against the income thresholds.

What It Covers and What It Does Not

A fee waiver can cover certain fees payable to court officials. The Alberta government notes that some costs may still apply, including search requests and photocopying; ask the registry which fees your waiver covers.

It does not cover third-party costs such as:

• Private process server fees
• Corporate Registry (CORES) search fees charged by registry agents
• Translation or interpreter costs
• Travel costs to attend court

The waiver is valid for six months from the date of approval. If it expires while your case is ongoing, contact the registry about your next application.

If Your Application Is Denied

If the Senior Judicial Clerk denies your application, you may ask for a review by a Supervisor or Manager. The reviewer follows the same eligibility guidelines.

The applicant must be an individual who is a party to the action, not someone applying on behalf of a business or estate. The application also asks whether another party joined in the action can pay the fees and whether a vexatious-litigant order applies.

The Rest of the Filing Process

Once the fee waiver is approved, the process for filing and serving your Civil Claim is identical to any other case. Our Alberta Civil Claim Guide covers every step — from drafting the demand letter through filing, service, evidence preparation, and the hearing — with form-by-form instructions and deadline tracking.

See more Alberta guides →