Filing Fee

The Court charges a filing fee of $5.00 for all new petitions for a writ of habeas corpus.

Payment in Full

If you are able to pay this filing fee upfront, in one lump sum, you may mail a check for $5.00 to the Court at the following address:

Clerk, United States District Court
219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Attn: Cashier’s Desk, 20th Floor

Please make sure to include your name on the check.

Application to Proceed Without Prepaying Fees or Costs / Financial Affidavit

Alternatively, you may submit an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP), requesting permission from the Court to proceed without paying the full filing fee in advance. To apply to proceed IFP, you must complete and submit the Court’s application form along with a copy of your trust fund account statement (for last six months). The application must be signed by you and certified by an authorized jail or prison official.

You will also be required to submit a completed IFP application if you are filing a motion for attorney representation, so the Court can determine if you are able (or unable) to afford an attorney.

If you are seeking leave to proceed IFP, or are requesting an attorney, you will be required to scan and submit a completed IFP application before you proceed to the petition submission screen.

Please indicate below how you intend to proceed:

Do you have documents or exhibits that you would like to scan in addition to your IFP application?