Relocation — moving house with your child, inside the UK or abroad

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

The core rule

If a child arrangements order "lives with" someone is in force, that person cannot take the child to live outside England & Wales without either everyone with parental responsibility consenting in writing, or a court order ("permission to remove"). Internal moves (within the UK) don't need permission in the same way — but unilaterally moving a long distance can still trigger an application by the other parent.

Internal relocation

No formal permission needed for a move within the UK — but if the move would realistically break the other parent's contact, expect them to apply for the court to intervene
Courts weigh: the reason for the move, the practicality of maintaining contact, the impact on the child, and each parent's willingness to facilitate the other's involvement
Move first, ask later = the fastest way to end up in court

International relocation

Requires written consent from everyone with parental responsibility, or a court order (specific issue order). Applications are genuine two-stage decisions: is the application genuinely motivated, and is the plan reasonable? Reasonable proposals matter — schooling, housing, work, how contact will work (flights, costs, video calls), and whether the destination country is a Hague Convention member (enforcement of orders abroad).

Taking a child abroad on holiday

With a "lives with" order: you need the other parent's written consent or a court order for EACH trip abroad — see our passports and taking-children-abroad page
Without any order: taking your own child on holiday is lawful, but consent is still best practice and protects you from a Prohibited Steps application

If you fear abduction

Police (999 if departure is imminent) · Prohibited Steps Order (urgent applications possible)
Contact the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit: see our passports/abroad page

Official links

https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-parental-child-abduction

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.

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.