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Fees, Waivers, and Deferrals Process

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  4. Fees, Waivers, and Deferrals Process

In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.

Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.

DCS Letter Information

The first thing to do is to complete the court forms to file for a waiver or deferral.

Note: Please look at the fee waiver and deferral criteria to see if you meet the requirements to file for waiver or deferral.

Once all forms are completed, the following steps need to occur:

  1. Fill Out (Do NOT Sign) the Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees or Costs, Consent to Entry of Judgment, and Confidential Personal Finance Affidavit (optional).
    1. Place names ONLY on the Order Regarding Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees and Costs and Notice Regarding Consent Judgment.
    2. Make 1 copy: Original - is filed with the Clerk or designated Court staff; 1 - your records.
  2. File these documents with the other court papers you want to file for your case.  If you are hand delivering these documents, you will sign the forms with the Clerk or designated Court staff, who will then notarize them.  If you are mailing the documents, you will have to sign them with a Notary Public before they are mailed.
    1. If you are granted a deferral, you will have 30 days after the ruling until payment is due.
  3. Apply for a deferral or waiver for service by filing an Affidavit in Support of Application for Deferral or Waiver of Service Costs.  But first have you...
    1. Asked the agency or individual serving the Affidavit if they will volunteer their services?
    2. Exhausted every other form of service before you request fees for publication be filed?
    3. If the application is granted, take the papers that need to be served along with a certified copy of the Order of Deferral or Waiver to the service entity.
  4. Wait for the decision
    1. If it is granted, you will receive notification and then you will file the court papers for the court process you are involved with.
    2. If the application is denied, you can request a hearing in front of a judge by filing a Request for Hearing and Order or pay the costs/fees associated with your case.
  5. Attend the court hearing, if one was granted.
    1. Be on time
    2. Dress neatly
    3. Find out if children are allowed in courtroom
    4. Be prepared to tell the judge why they should grant you a deferral or waiver
  6. Pay at the conclusion of the case.  You will receive a Notice of Court Fees and Costs Due stating how much you owe and what your next steps are.  Payments begin being due, 30 calendar days after a ruling. 

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