Form C100: Child Arrangements Application (2026 Guide)

Form C100: Child Arrangements Application (2026 Guide)

If you are a parent, guardian, or person with parental responsibility seeking a court order about where a child lives, how much time they spend with each parent, or other contact arrangements, Form C100 is the document you must file with the Family Court. This guide explains every stage of the process, from the mandatory pre-application step through to the first hearing and beyond. This article covers private law proceedings under the Children Act 1989. It does not cover care proceedings brought by local authorities.

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When Do You Need Form C100?

You need to complete Form C100 when you wish to apply to the Family Court for a Child Arrangements Order (previously called a residence or contact order), a Prohibited Steps Order (preventing a specific action, such as removal of a child from the jurisdiction), or a Specific Issue Order (resolving a particular dispute, such as choice of school or medical treatment). You do not need a C100 if you already have a court order and simply need to enforce it — enforcement has its own separate route. You also do not use this form if the local authority has started care or supervision proceedings; those are public law proceedings under a different framework. Common situations that lead to a C100 application include:

• A breakdown in contact arrangements after separation or divorce
• One parent wishing to relocate with a child, domestically or internationally
• Disagreement about schooling, religious upbringing, or medical decisions
• Concern that a child is being withheld from the other parent without justification
• Grandparents or other family members seeking to maintain a relationship with a child

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What Is Form C100 Used For?

Form C100 is the formal application document that opens a private law children case in the Family Court. Once filed, it triggers the standard safeguarding pathway, which includes checks with the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) and, where necessary, further investigation. The completed form tells the court who the applicant is, who the respondent is, details about the child or children concerned, the nature of the order sought, and whether any safeguarding concerns exist. It is the foundation of the entire case file.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Form C100

Step 1 — Attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM)

Before you can file a C100, you are required by law to attend a MIAM unless one of the statutory exemptions applies. A MIAM is a meeting with an authorised family mediator who explains what mediation is and assesses whether your dispute is suitable for it. Attendance at a MIAM does not commit you to mediation. The mediator will sign Section 1 of the C100 to confirm you attended, or confirm that you are exempt. Without this signature (or a valid exemption), the court will not issue your application. MIAM exemptions include situations involving domestic abuse (where there is evidence such as a police report, conviction, injunction, or similar), child protection concerns, urgency (where a child’s safety is at immediate risk), and certain other prescribed circumstances. The full list of exemptions is set out in Rule 3.8 of the Family Procedure Rules 2010. If you believe you are exempt, you must tick the relevant exemption box in Section 1 and be prepared to provide supporting evidence. Courts scrutinise exemptions, and incorrectly claimed exemptions can delay your application.

Step 2 — Gather the Information You Need

Before you begin completing the form, collect the following:

• Full names, dates of birth, and addresses for all children named in the application
• Full names and addresses for all respondents
• Details of any existing court orders relating to the children
• Details of any previous court proceedings (including care proceedings)
• The contact details of anyone else who has parental responsibility
• Information about any welfare or safeguarding concerns you need to raise

Step 3 — Complete Section 1 (MIAM)

Tick the appropriate box: either that you have attended a MIAM (and attach the mediator’s certificate) or that you are exempt (and select the correct exemption category with supporting evidence).

Step 4 — Complete Section 2 (The Orders Applied For)

State clearly which order or orders you are seeking. Be specific: if you want the child to live with you for the majority of the time with defined contact to the other parent, say so. Vague requests such as “more contact” are not sufficient. The court needs to know exactly what you are asking for so that the respondent can respond and the Cafcass officer can understand the issue.

Step 5 — Complete Section 3 (Respondents and Other Parties)

List every respondent — typically the other parent — along with their full name, date of birth, and address. If there are other persons who should be notified (for example, a grandparent who already has a court order), include them here or in Section 5.

Step 6 — Complete Section 4 (Children)

Provide the full name, date of birth, gender, and current living arrangements for each child. Confirm who holds parental responsibility for each child.

Step 7 — Complete Section 5 (Social Services)

Disclose any past or current involvement with children’s services. This includes any section 47 enquiries, child protection plans, or care proceedings. Failure to disclose this information is a serious matter that can undermine your credibility with the court.

Step 8 — Complete Section 6 (Alleged Harm — C1A Trigger)

This is one of the most important sections. You must declare whether you are making any allegations of harm, domestic abuse, or other safeguarding concerns. If the answer is yes, you must complete and attach Form C1A. Do not omit this. The C1A is discussed in full in a separate guide on this site.

Step 9 — Sign and Date

The declaration at the end of the form confirms that the information you have provided is true. Signing a false statement is contempt of court. Read it carefully before signing.

Step 10 — File at the Family Court

File two copies of the completed C100 (plus C1A if applicable) at your local Family Court. The court will issue the application and serve the respondent.

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Key Deadlines and Timings

• First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA): The court will typically list the first hearing within four to six weeks of the application being issued.
• Cafcass safeguarding letter: Cafcass aims to file a safeguarding letter before the FHDRA, usually within 17 days of the application being served. This letter sets out the results of police and local authority checks.
• Position statements: Both parties are usually expected to file a brief position statement before the FHDRA. Check the order made at issue for specific directions.
• If you are the respondent: You have the right to file a response. The court will set a deadline, typically around one to two weeks before the first hearing.

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What Happens After You File?

Once the court issues your application:

1. The court serves the application on the respondent (or you serve it, depending on the court’s direction).
2. Cafcass contacts both parties to conduct safeguarding checks and may telephone one or both parents before the FHDRA.
3. At the FHDRA, the judge will consider whether the case can be resolved that day, whether further investigation (such as a Cafcass section 7 report) is needed, and what interim arrangements should be in place.
4. If the case is not resolved at the FHDRA, it will be listed for a further hearing — a Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) or, if contested, a Final Hearing.

The child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration throughout.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Failing to attend a MIAM without a valid exemption. The court will reject the application or adjourn the hearing until this is rectified.
2. Claiming a MIAM exemption you cannot evidence. Ticking “domestic abuse” without supporting evidence will attract judicial scrutiny and may damage your credibility.
3. Leaving Section 6 blank when you have safeguarding concerns. Omitting known concerns at this stage can be treated as deliberate non-disclosure.
4. Being vague about the order sought. Courts cannot make an order in uncertain terms. State specifically what you want — days, times, holidays, handover arrangements.
5. Failing to disclose previous proceedings. The court has access to court records. Non-disclosure is almost always discovered and damages your case. Many applicants on low incomes qualify for a full or partial fee waiver. Check eligibility before paying the full fee.
6. Serving the respondent incorrectly. If the court directs you to serve, you must serve correctly and file a certificate of service. Errors here can cause significant delays.

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The Rules That Apply

Form C100 applications are governed primarily by:

• Children Act 1989 — defines the orders available and the welfare checklist the court applies
• Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010) — procedural rules for private law children cases
• Practice Direction 12B (FPR 2010) — the Child Arrangements Programme, which sets out the standard pathway and timescales
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  A: Yes. A significant proportion of applicants in private law children cases are litigants in person. You have the same right to be heard as a legally represented party. The court must treat you fairly. Having support with your documents — even if not legal representation — can make a substantial difference to how clearly your case is presented. Q: What is the difference between a Child Arrangements Order and a contact order?
  A: “Contact order” is the old terminology used before the Children and Families Act 2014. The new framework uses “Child Arrangements Order,” which can specify both where a child lives (“lives with”) and the time they spend with each parent (“spends time with”). The change was intended to reduce adversarial framing, though in practice the two types of arrangement within a single order can still feel like a win/lose situation to parents. The legal test — the child’s welfare as the paramount consideration — remains the same. Q: What does Cafcass actually do after my C100 is filed?
  A: Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) carries out initial safeguarding checks, which include checks with the police and local authority. A Cafcass practitioner will attempt to speak with both parents before the first hearing and will prepare a safeguarding letter for the court. If the judge orders a full welfare report (a section 7 report), Cafcass will conduct a more thorough investigation including interviews with the children and home visits. Q: Can the court make an order without my attendance?
  A: If you are the respondent and you fail to attend a hearing without good reason, the court can proceed in your absence and make an order. If you are the applicant and you fail to attend, the court may dismiss your application. Always attend, or apply to adjourn in advance if there is a genuine reason you cannot be present. Q: How long do child arrangements cases take?
  A: Straightforward cases that settle at or shortly after the FHDRA can conclude in two to three months. Contested cases proceeding to a Final Hearing typically take six to twelve months from issue, and complex cases involving findings of fact hearings or external expert evidence can take longer. The Child Arrangements Programme sets target timescales, but court capacity affects actual listing dates.

  Related Court Forms & Guides

  • Form N260: Statement of Costs — the costs schedule used at summary assessment.
  • Form N244: Application Notice — the form for interim applications.
  • Start a Money Claim Online (OCMC) — where most civil money claims begin.
  • Particulars of Claim — setting out the basis of your claim.
  • Civil Court Forms Index — every civil court form guide in one place.

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  Frequently asked questions

  What is Form C100 used for?

  Form C100 is the formal application that opens a private law children case in the Family Court. It is used to apply for a Child Arrangements Order (where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent), a Prohibited Steps Order (preventing a specific action, such as removing a child from the jurisdiction), or a Specific Issue Order (resolving a particular dispute, such as choice of school or medical treatment).

  Do I have to attend a MIAM before filing?

  In most cases, yes. The law requires you to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before filing a C100 unless a statutory exemption applies. The mediator signs Section 1 to confirm you attended, or confirms you are exempt. Without that signature or a valid exemption, the court will not issue your application. Exemptions include certain domestic abuse, child protection, and urgency situations, with supporting evidence required.

  When do I NOT need a C100?

  You do not need a C100 if you already have a court order and simply want to enforce it — enforcement has its own separate route. You also do not use a C100 where a local authority has started care or supervision proceedings, as those are public law proceedings under a different framework.

  What is the C1A and when must I attach it?

  Section 6 of the C100 asks whether you are making any allegations of harm, domestic abuse, or other safeguarding concerns. If the answer is yes, you must complete and attach Form C1A. This is one of the most important parts of the application and should not be omitted.

  What happens after I file?

  Once the court issues your application, it is served on the respondent (or you serve it, depending on the court’s direction). Cafcass contacts both parties to conduct safeguarding checks ahead of the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA), where the judge considers whether the case can be resolved, whether a further Cafcass report is needed, and what interim arrangements should apply. Check the directions made at issue for specific timings.

  What if I’m the respondent?

  If you have been named as a respondent, you have the right to file a response. The court will set a deadline, typically before the first hearing — check the order made at issue for the exact date and directions in your case.

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  Related guides: Form C1A (allegations of harm) · Form C2 (apply within existing proceedings) · All civil court forms

  eLitigant CIC (No. 16566612) — a community interest company. Not a law firm; you remain the litigant in person. eLitigant prepares professional documents from your own information; it does not give legal advice and no outcome is guaranteed. Always check the current HMCTS form and fee before filing.