Parental responsibility agreement — the step-by-step route for unmarried fathers and step-parents

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-30

If you don't already have parental responsibility (PR) for a child — for example, you're an unmarried father not named on the birth certificate, or a step-parent — the simplest route is a parental responsibility agreement: a formal agreement signed by everyone who already has PR, registered with the court. No judge decides anything; you all agree. This guide explains the process. It is general information, not legal advice.

Who can use a PR agreement

Unmarried fathers whose child's mother has PR (mothers automatically do) and who is willing to agree
Step-parents married to, or in a civil partnership with, a parent — with the consent of everyone who already has PR
Civil partners in the equivalent position
Second female parents in certain circumstances (conception via licensed fertility treatment — different rules apply)

If the person(s) with PR won't agree, a PR agreement is not the route — you'd instead apply to the court for a parental responsibility order (form C1), where a judge decides based on the child's welfare and your level of commitment and attachment to the child.

The process, step by step

1. Get the form: Form C(PRA2) — "parental responsibility agreement" (for step-parents, form C(PRA3)). Download from gov.uk or get one from a family court 2. Complete it — the form records the child's details and everyone signing 3. Witnessing: every signature must be witnessed by a court officer at a family court office (or a justice's clerk / officer of the court). All parties with PR must sign in front of the witness — you may need to attend together or separately, as the court office directs 4. File with the court — there is no fee for registering a PR agreement 5. Registration: the agreement is filed with the Principal Registry (or the relevant court); once registered it takes effect and the PR is real and permanent until the child turns 18

What PR gives you

The right to be involved in, and consent to, major decisions about the child:

Where the child lives and day-to-day care decisions
Education — school choice, and consent for school trips
Medical treatment — consenting on the child's behalf
Religion
Changing the child's name (PR holders must generally consent)
Taking the child abroad — all PR holders must normally consent to removal from the UK (beyond short holidays with the resident parent, where a lives-with order exists)
Appointing a guardian for the child

Practical notes

Add the father to the birth certificate instead? For children born after 1 December 2003, an unmarried father named on the birth certificate automatically has PR — re-registration is often simpler than a PR agreement if the mother agrees
A PR agreement cannot be undone easily — unlike a court order, there's no straightforward application for the mother alone to end it; it lasts until the child turns 18. Both sides should understand this before signing
Step-parent PR sits alongside (doesn't override) the parents' PR — unlike a special guardianship order
If you're separating and worried about your position, a PR agreement resolves status but doesn't settle arrangements — those are dealt with by agreement, mediation, or a child arrangements order

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS or gov.uk. This page is general information and is not legal advice.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.