Child Arrangement Order Form: What Is the C100 Used For?
Updated: 5 days ago
Last updated: 30 October 2026 · Written by the family law paralegal team at Court Help Limited
In short: The child arrangement order form is form C100. It's the form you use in England and Wales to ask the family court for a child arrangements order, a prohibited steps order or a specific issue order, or to change or end one. It costs £270 (checked on GOV.UK on 30 October 2026), and you'll usually need to attend a mediation meeting (MIAM) first.
Key facts about the C100 child arrangement order form
Question | The short answer |
Form name | C100: application under the Children Act 1989 for a section 8 order, or to vary or discharge one |
Current version | GOV.UK page last updated 1 June 2026 (51-page PDF), or apply online |
Court fee | £270 (GOV.UK, checked 30 October 2026); Help with Fees may cover some or all of it |
Before you apply | A MIAM (mediation information and assessment meeting), unless an exemption applies |
Extra forms | C1A if you raise abuse or harm; C8 to keep your contact details confidential |
Paper copies | Your original form plus 3 copies, sent to the local family court |
How long a case takes | Around 10 months on average to get a court order, according to GOV.UK |
Law | Children Act 1989, sections 1 and 8; Children and Families Act 2014, section 10 (MIAMs) |
Where it applies | England and Wales only |
What is the child arrangement order form (C100)?
When a relationship ends and you have children, you need to agree where they will live and how much time they'll spend with each parent. These are called child arrangements. Most parents sort this out between themselves or through mediation. When that isn't possible, the child arrangement order form, officially form C100, is how you ask the family court to decide.
GOV.UK describes the C100 as the form to "make arrangements for a child or resolve a dispute about their upbringing". It's made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989, which is why the orders are often called section 8 orders. The form itself is long, but you don't need to be a lawyer to complete it. Many parents apply without a solicitor as litigants in person.
This page explains what the C100 is used for, what you need before you start and what happens afterwards. If you're ready to fill it in, our step-by-step guide to filling in the C100 form takes you through the current form section by section.
What is a C100 form used for?
The C100 is used for five things:
A child arrangements order: who the child lives with, and when they spend time or have contact with someone.
A prohibited steps order: stopping a parent or someone else from taking a particular step, such as changing the child's school or taking them abroad.
A specific issue order: settling one question the parents can't agree on, such as which school the child goes to or whether they have a particular medical treatment.
Varying (changing) or discharging (ending) an existing section 8 order.
Asking the court's permission to apply, where you need it.
A child arrangements order replaced the old "residence" and "contact" orders in April 2014, so you won't find those terms on the current form. If you're mainly worried about one parent doing something, such as moving the child away, our guide to prohibited steps orders and how to enforce them explains that order in detail, and specific issue orders compared with prohibited steps orders sets out the difference.
How does a C100 application work, step by step?
Step | What happens |
1. MIAM | Attend a mediation information and assessment meeting, unless an exemption applies |
2. Form | Complete the C100 online or on paper, plus C1A and C8 if needed |
3. Fee | Pay £270 or apply for Help with Fees |
4. Send | Submit online, or post the original and 3 copies to the local family court |
5. Checks | Cafcass (Cafcass Cymru in Wales) carries out safeguarding checks and sends a safeguarding letter |
6. First hearing | Usually a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment, where the court gives directions |
Who can apply, and do I need the court's permission?
A parent, a guardian, a special guardian, a step-parent who has parental responsibility under section 4A, and a person named in a child arrangements order as someone the child lives with can all apply for any section 8 order without the court's permission (Children Act 1989, section 10(4)). Some others can apply for a child arrangements order without permission, for example someone the child has lived with for at least three years (section 10(5)). Other people, such as many grandparents and other relatives, usually need the court's permission first. You ask for it on the C100 itself, in the section about permission, and explain your connection to the child and why you're applying.
What does the court consider when it decides?
The child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration (section 1(1) of the Children Act 1989). Where the application is opposed, the court must also work through the welfare checklist in section 1(3): the child's wishes and feelings in the light of their age and understanding, their physical, emotional and educational needs, the likely effect of any change, their age, sex, background and relevant characteristics, any harm they have suffered or are at risk of, how capable each parent is of meeting their needs, and the range of orders available.
Delay is generally seen as bad for the child (section 1(2)), and the court will only make an order if that is better for the child than making no order at all (section 1(5)). Our guide to the welfare checklist and how courts decide what's best for a child goes through each point with examples.
Do I have to try mediation before using the C100?
Usually, yes. Since 22 April 2014, section 10 of the Children and Families Act 2014 has required most people to attend a mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM) before applying for a child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order. The MIAM can be in person or online. The mediator explains whether mediation could work for your family and, if you then go to court, signs the part of the C100 that confirms you attended.
GOV.UK says you won't usually need to attend a MIAM if, for example:
you attended a MIAM or tried another non-court method in the last 4 months
you have evidence of domestic abuse, such as a police report or a protective court order like a non-molestation order
you're applying for a consent order
children are at risk of harm
you can't attend because of your location, your situation or the mediator's availability
you're applying for a without-notice hearing
the application is urgent
Don't claim an exemption just to save time. The court checks any exemption when it first looks at your case, and if it wasn't valid, the court must direct you to attend a MIAM and can adjourn the case while you do (Family Procedure Rules, rule 3.10). If you do go to mediation, you can usually get a government voucher worth up to £500 towards the cost of mediation sessions (not the MIAM itself), whatever you earn. You don't have to pay for the MIAM if either of you qualifies for legal aid. You can find a local mediator on the Family Mediation Council website, and our article on family mediation and the MIAM explains what happens at the meeting.
Where can I get the C100 form, and can I apply online?
The C100 is published free on GOV.UK. The official C100 form page on GOV.UK was last updated on 1 June 2026. The current PDF runs to 51 pages and there are large-print and Welsh versions. Always download it fresh rather than using a copy you saved months ago, because the form changes.
GOV.UK encourages you to apply online to avoid delay. The online service lets you save your answers and come back later, but you have 28 days to finish once you've started. If you can't apply online, you can print the form and send it by post.
The file below is an old 2018 version of the C100, kept here for reference only. Please don't use it for a new application: download the current form from GOV.UK instead.
How much does a C100 application cost?
It costs £270 to apply for a court order using the C100 (GOV.UK, checked 30 October 2026). Older versions of this page gave lower figures, which are now out of date. If you're on certain benefits or a low income, you may get help with the fee through the Help with Fees scheme. Apply for that first, then put your Help with Fees reference number on the application.
If you and the other parent have already agreed everything and just want it made legally binding, you can ask the court to approve a consent order. You don't need a MIAM for that, and you don't usually have to attend court. Our guide to consent orders, costs and process covers how they work.
How do I fill in the C100 form?
The section numbers have moved around between versions, so this is a summary of the information the C100 asks for. Our step-by-step guide follows the current form in detail.
The order you want. Tick the order or orders you're applying for and briefly say what you're asking for.
The children. Full names, dates of birth and each child's relationship to you and to the respondent, plus whether children's services know the family or a child protection plan is in place.
The MIAM. Either the mediator's confirmation that you attended, or the exemption you rely on.
Why you're applying. A short summary of what has happened and what you want the court to order. This isn't your full statement; the court will tell you later if it needs one.
Agreements and parenting plans. Whether you've tried to agree arrangements before, and any parenting plan or informal agreement you've made. If there's an agreed draft order, attach it.
Urgent or without-notice hearings. Only if you need one, with your reasons. The court expects you to explain why the other party can't be told first.
Other court cases. Any past or current family proceedings about the children, with the court and case number if you have them.
International element. Whether anyone lives abroad or there's a link with another country.
Attending court. Whether anyone needs an interpreter, a Welsh speaker, an intermediary or special arrangements, such as separate waiting areas.
The people involved. Details of the applicant, the respondent and anyone else who should be told about the application. You'll be asked for previous addresses over the last five years. If you don't want the other side to see your address or phone number, give them on form C8 instead.
Statement of truth. You must sign it. Putting something in the form you know to be false can have serious consequences.
What is a C1A form and when do I need it?
The C100 asks whether you or the children have suffered, or are at risk of, harm such as domestic abuse, child abduction or other abuse. If you tick yes to any of those questions, you also fill in form C1A, which gives the court details of the allegations. The court and Cafcass use it to decide what safeguarding steps are needed. Where domestic abuse is alleged, there are also rules to protect you at the hearing, explained in our article on the ban on abusers cross-examining victims in the family court.
How do I send the C100 to the court?
If you apply online, you submit and pay through the online service. If you apply on paper, send your original C100 and 3 copies, with any C1A, C8 and supporting documents, to the family court nearest to where the child lives. You can find the address with the GOV.UK court and tribunal finder. Keep a full copy for yourself.
What happens after you send the C100?
The court issues the application and arranges for it to be served on the respondent. Cafcass (Cafcass Cymru in Wales) then carries out safeguarding checks with the police and the local authority and usually speaks to each parent by phone. The Family Court Adviser sends the court a safeguarding letter setting out the results and recommending next steps.
The first hearing is usually a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA). The judge or magistrates look at the safeguarding information, see whether you can agree anything, and give directions, such as a report from Cafcass or statements from each side. GOV.UK says it usually takes around 10 months to get a court order, depending on where you live and your situation. If you're hoping for an arrangement before a particular date, apply early: our article on whether it's too late to apply to court for Christmas contact explains why timing matters.
If you're the respondent, you'll receive a copy of the application with form C7, which you use to tell the court whether you agree with the order asked for and give your details. Fill it in and return it by the date in the court papers.
Is there a C100 form for Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. The C100 is a form for the family court in England and Wales under the Children Act 1989. Scotland has its own law: applications about where a child lives or who they see are made under section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, usually in the sheriff court. Northern Ireland also has its own law and court forms. If the child lives in Scotland or Northern Ireland, get advice on the procedure there.
How we can help
Court Help Limited is a family law paralegal firm in England and Wales. We're not solicitors and we don't represent clients in court. We help parents who are representing themselves to understand the process, complete the C100, C1A and C8 forms clearly and accurately, and prepare statements and paperwork for hearings. You can find out who we are on our team page. To get in touch, email help@incourt.co.uk or use the contact form on this page, and have a look at our Google reviews.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a C100 court form?
The C100 court form is the application form for the family court in England and Wales when you want a child arrangements order, a prohibited steps order or a specific issue order, or want to change or end one. It's also the child arrangement order form, so the two names mean the same thing.
Can I download the C100 form?
Yes. You can download the current C100 free from GOV.UK. The page was last updated on 1 June 2026. GOV.UK recommends applying online if you can, because it avoids delay.
How do I respond to a C100 application?
If you're named as the respondent, you'll be sent the application with form C7. Use it to tell the court whether you agree or oppose the order and to give your details, and return it by the date in the papers. Go to the first hearing even if you agree with some of what's asked for.
How long does a C100 application take?
GOV.UK says it usually takes around 10 months to get a court order, though it depends on your local court and whether the case settles. Cases where the parents agree at the first hearing can finish much sooner.
Is there a C100 form for Scotland?
No. The C100 only applies in England and Wales. In Scotland, applications about children are made under section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, usually in the sheriff court.
This article is general information about the law in England and Wales. It is not legal advice and should not be relied on as legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts, and court fees and procedures change, so check GOV.UK for the latest position. Court Help Limited is a family law paralegal firm, not a firm of solicitors, and does not represent clients in court.
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