02/18/2026
💡 Know Your Rights: Filing in Court Without Paying Fees (North Carolina)
Did you know that if you can’t afford court costs in North Carolina, you may be able to have them waived?
The Petition to Proceed as Indigent (Form AOC-G-106) allows individuals with low income to ask the court to waive filing fees, service fees, and other legal costs. This is sometimes called “proceeding as a poor person.”
This form helps ensure that financial hardship doesn’t prevent someone from accessing the legal system.
⚖️ What This Form Can Be Used For
Many people use this petition for:
✔️ Eviction appeals (including waiving bond payments)
✔️ Divorce filings
✔️ Civil lawsuits
✔️ Motions or appeals in existing cases
👤 Who May Qualify?
You may be eligible if you:
• Have low income
• Receive public benefits like SNAP or TANF
• Are unable to afford court costs
You’ll need to provide basic financial information, and in some cases, a judge must approve the request.
Where to Get the Form
You can find the form:
✔️ At your local Clerk of Court’s office
✔️ Online through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website
✔️ With help from LawHelpNC, which offers a guided tool to complete the paperwork
Access to justice should never depend on income. If you or a family you serve needs help navigating resources like this, don’t hesitate to reach out.
At Management Care Services, we believe advocacy includes helping families understand their rights — inside and outside the courtroom. 💙