# Applying for a Child Arrangements Order (C100) — A Plain-English Guide

*Last reviewed: 31 August 2026. Informational only — not legal advice.*

## What is a C100 application?

The C100 is the court form you use to ask a family court in England or Wales to decide arrangements for a child — who they live with, who they spend time with, and other specific issues like which school they attend. If you cannot agree arrangements with the other parent (or anyone else with care of the child), the C100 is how you start.

The form is free to download from GOV.UK. If you are applying for a Child Arrangements Order (living with or spending time with) as a *natural* parent or the person the child lives with under a Child Arrangements Order, there is no court fee. Other applications (e.g. specific issue or prohibited steps orders) currently carry a fee of £232 — check the GOV.UK fee schedule, as fees change.

## Before you apply: the Family Mediation requirement

You normally must show you have considered mediation first. You do this by:

1. Contacting a family mediator for a **Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM)**, and
2. Filling in Part B of the C100 form (or attaching your MIAM certificate) to show you attended — or explaining why you are exempt (e.g. domestic abuse, urgency, or the other party refuses to engage).

You cannot usually issue a C100 without this step unless an exemption applies. Signpost: the **DV screening guide** explains how domestic abuse exemptions work.

## What you can ask for

- A **"lives with" order** (formerly residence/custody) — the child lives with you.
- A **"spends time with" order** (formerly contact/access) — defined time with the child, e.g. alternate weekends, holidays, phone/video contact.
- A **specific issue order** — the court decides one dispute, such as schooling, religion, medical treatment, or whether the child can be taken abroad.
- A **prohibited steps order** — stops the other person doing something, such as moving abroad with the child.

You can combine these in one C100.

## Step-by-step: making the application

1. **Check you can apply.** Parents and certain others (step-parents, grandparents in some cases) must usually get the court's permission first (leave). Parents generally do not.
2. **Attend a MIAM** (or document your exemption).
3. **Download and complete form C100** — available from GOV.UK. Complete Parts A–G carefully:
   - Your details and the child's details (correct birth date, full name as on the birth certificate).
   - Why you cannot agree (Part C) — a short, factual summary.
   - Your request (Part D) — be specific: "every other weekend from Friday after school to Sunday 6pm, plus half of school holidays" is far better than "reasonable contact".
   - Other people involved (Part E) — grandparents, new partners with parental responsibility, social services involvement.
   - Safeguarding concerns and your MIAM/exemption details (Parts F–G).
4. **Make copies.** The court needs copies for every respondent and other people to be notified.
5. **Send the form** to your nearest family court that deals with child cases (see the court finder on GOV.UK). Keep a copy of everything.
6. **Await acknowledgement.** The court will issue the application, send copies to the other party, and set a first hearing date.

## What happens after you apply

- **Safeguarding checks:** Cafcass (or CAFCASS Cymru in Wales) runs background checks (police and local authority) and prepares a safeguarding letter before the first hearing.
- **First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA):** typically 6–10 weeks after issue. A judge and a Cafcass officer will encourage agreement; many cases settle here.
- **If no agreement:** the court sets directions — further Cafcass reports, fact-finding hearings where abuse is alleged, and eventually a final hearing (often 6–12 months from issue).

You must attend a **Planning Together for Children** (formerly SPIP) course when the court directs it — this applies to both parties.

## Common mistakes to avoid

- Being vague in your request ("reasonable contact" invites endless argument).
- Writing pages of allegations in the C100 — keep it factual and short; save detail for statements.
- Applying without addressing the MIAM requirement, causing the application to be returned.
- Using the child's words as evidence — the court is wary of children being involved in adult disputes.
- Ignoring court directions — non-compliance can get your case struck out.

## Related guides

- [Responding to a C100](responding-to-child-arrangements-application.md)
- [DV and safeguarding screening](dv-screening-cafcass.md)
- [Cafcass reports explained](cafcass-reports-explained.md)
- [Hearings and court dates](family-court-hearing-types.md)

*Sources: Children Act 1989; Family Procedure Rules 2010 Part 12; GOV.UK "Apply for a court order about child arrangements". Court fees and forms change — always check GOV.UK before filing.*