Minnesota Conciliation Court Fee Waiver: How to File Form CCT104

The $70–$80 filing fee for Minnesota Conciliation Court isn't much when you're pursuing a $10,000 claim. But if money is tight and you're owed $500 in security deposit money, that fee can feel like a real barrier. Minnesota has a fee waiver process for exactly this situation.

Who Qualifies

Under Minn. Stat. § 563.01 and General Rule of Practice 506, the fee waiver (called In Forma Pauperis, or IFP) covers filing fees, court costs, service expenses and copy fees. Three categories qualify automatically:

Public assistance recipients: if you receive MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program), SNAP (food assistance), SSI, General Assistance or Medical Assistance, you qualify without further review.

Legal aid clients: if you're represented by a civil legal services program or volunteer attorney program based on indigency, that representation qualifies you.

Income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines: the guidelines update annually.

If you don't meet any of those automatic thresholds, the judge still has discretion. Under § 563.01, subd. 3(c), the court can grant a full waiver or set a reduced fee of $75 if paying the standard fee would force you to sacrifice basic living necessities like rent, food or medication.

How to Apply

File Form CCT104 (Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Fee) at the same time you submit Form CCT102 (your Statement of Claim). You can get CCT104 from the Minnesota Judicial Branch website under Conciliation Court forms.

The form asks for:

• Your income sources and amounts
• Your household expenses (rent, utilities, food, medical)
• Whether you receive any public assistance programs
• Number of dependents

Attach supporting documentation — a benefit letter, pay stubs, bank statement or tax return. Whatever shows your financial situation clearly.

Financial documents submitted with CCT104 are kept in a non-public file. Court staff will not include those details in the public case record.

What the Fee Waiver Covers

A complete or partial waiver can apply to filing fees, court costs, service expenses and copy fees. Check the court's order to see which amounts are waived.

The Reimbursement Rule

There's one catch: if you win your case, the waived filing fee gets added to your judgment amount. If you collect the judgment, you must reimburse the court administrator for the waived filing fee.

Who Can't Apply

Fee waivers are available only to natural persons. Corporations, LLCs and partnerships are not eligible, even small ones. If you're suing as a business entity, you'll pay the full filing fee regardless of the company's financial situation.

Processing Time

Submit CCT104 with CCT102 when you request a fee waiver. If your statute of limitations deadline is approaching, contact court administration to confirm when the completed claim will be accepted and filed.

For the complete filing process, including how CCT104 fits into the timeline alongside CCT102 and service deadlines, the Minnesota Small Claims Filing Guide walks through every step.

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