(a)Appeals From Trial Courts. Every person appealing from a judgment or order of a trial court in a civil case and every person seeking issuance of an extraordinary writ pursuant to Rule 13 shall pay a filing fee as prescribed by these rules. When two (2) or more parties file a joint notice of appeal pursuant to Rule 3(b), each appellant shall pay one hundred fifty dollars ($150).(b)Relief From Filing Fees.(1)Appeals From Trial Courts. A person who desires to appeal a judgment or order of a trial court and who claims that by reason of indigency the person is unable to pay the filing fee shall, within the time prescribed for filing the notice of appeal, petition the trial court to be relieved from payment of the fee. The petition shall be verified, shall set forth the facts relied upon by the petitioner to demonstrate indigency, and shall be accompanied by the notice of appeal which the petitioner desires to file without payment of fee. Upon the filing of a petition for waiver of the filing fee, the running of the time for filing a notice of appeal as prescribed by Rule 4 shall be terminated with respect to the petitioner. If the trial court finds that the petitioner is unable by reason of indigency to pay the filing fee, the court shall enter an order directing the clerk to accept the notice of appeal without payment of the fee. If the petition is denied, the full time for filing a notice of appeal as prescribed by Rule 4 shall, with respect to the petitioner, commence to run upon entry of the order of denial.(2)Extraordinary Writs. A person seeking the issuance of an extraordinary writ pursuant to Rule 13 who claims that by reason of indigency the person is unable to pay the filing fee shall petition the Supreme Court to be relieved from payment of the fee. The petition shall be verified and shall set forth the facts relied upon by the petitioner to demonstrate indigency. If the Supreme Court finds that the petitioner is unable by reason of indigency to pay the filing fee, it shall enter an order directing the clerk to accept the petition without payment of the fee.(c)Exemption for the State. The State of Rhode Island, its departments, agencies, boards, and commissions shall not be required to pay a filing fee when appealing from a judgment or order of a trial court, or when seeking the issuance of an extraordinary writ.Amended effective 6/19/2020; Revised 10/1/2023.