Ellis County, TX · Ellis County
Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond
This bilingual court form lets a person in a case ask the court to waive court costs or an appeal bond based on their financial situation.
At a glance
- Issued by
- City of Ellis County · Ellis County, Ellis County, Texas
- Notarization
- Not required: file this form without a notary.
- Official source
- elliscountytx.gov
- Blank form
- Download the PDF
- Catalogued
- Machine-readable
- JSON record · about the forms index
What this form is
Use this form to tell the court you cannot afford court costs or, when appealing a justice court decision, an appeal bond or cash deposit. It asks about your dependents, benefits, income, property, expenses, debts, and ability to pay. You may attach proof of public benefits or additional supporting facts; a legal aid certificate may also be attached if applicable.
Who needs it
A person in a court case who cannot afford court costs, or the specified appeal bond or cash deposit, can complete this form.
How to submit it
File the completed form with the court clerk; the clerk’s office fills in the cause number when you file. The form does not provide an address, email, portal, or fee.
About notarization
A notary is not required if you sign the Declaration; the alternative Affidavit must be completed before a notary, and the form says to bring photo identification.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download the Form
Download the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond.
- 2
Complete the Form
Enter your case and financial information, then select the applicable statement about your ability to pay.
- 3
Gather Attachments
Attach proof of public benefits if applicable, a legal aid certificate if applicable, and any additional supporting facts you want the court to consider.
- 4
Choose and Sign a Statement
Complete either the Declaration or the Affidavit. The Declaration does not require a notary; the Affidavit section is completed before a notary.
- 5
File with the Court Clerk
File the completed form with the court clerk. The clerk’s office fills in the cause number.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond?
- It tells the court about your finances and lets you state that you cannot afford court costs or, for a justice court appeal, an appeal bond or cash deposit.
- What information does the form ask for?
- It asks about your dependents, public benefits, income, property, monthly expenses, debts, and ability to pay. It also provides space for a Declaration or an Affidavit.
- Do I need a notary for this Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond?
- No, if you complete and sign the Declaration. The form offers an alternative Affidavit that must be completed before a notary; it says to bring photo identification.
- How do I submit this form?
- File it with the court clerk. The clerk’s office fills in the cause number when you file; the form does not provide a filing address or online submission option.