What is a C100 form?

If you want the family court to make certain types of orders concerning a child, you may need to use Form C100.

C100 is the application form used for applications under section 8 of the Children Act 1989, including applications for a child arrangements order, prohibited steps order or specific issue order. It can also be used in certain applications to vary or discharge an existing order. (GOV.UK)

The form is used in England and Wales.

What is a child arrangements order?

A child arrangements order is an order dealing with arrangements concerning a child.

It can cover questions about who a child is to live with, spend time with or otherwise have contact with.

The exact wording and effect of an order depends on what the court makes.

What is a prohibited steps order?

A prohibited steps order is an order restricting a person from taking a particular step in relation to a child without the court's permission.

The step might concern an important aspect of the child's upbringing.

The C100 is the application form used for this type of section 8 application. (GOV.UK)

What is a specific issue order?

A specific issue order allows the court to determine a particular question about a child's upbringing.

Examples can include disagreements about an important decision concerning the child.

Again, the C100 is used for this type of application. (GOV.UK)

What information does the C100 ask for?

The form asks for information about the people involved, the child or children concerned and the order being sought.

It is important to complete the form carefully. Government guidance specifically warns that incomplete information can cause delays because the court may need to ask for missing details. (GOV.UK)

If you need to provide additional information, the form and accompanying guidance explain where this should be included.

What about allegations of harm?

If there are allegations of harm or domestic abuse relevant to the application, a C1A may also be required.

The C1A is a supplementary form used to provide information about allegations of harm and domestic abuse, including responding to allegations made by another person. (GOV.UK)

The C100 and C1A have different purposes.

The C100 tells the court what type of order you are applying for. The C1A provides additional information about allegations of harm or domestic abuse where relevant.

Do I have to attend mediation first?

For many applications concerning children, there is normally a requirement to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before applying to court, unless an exemption applies.

A MIAM is a meeting with an authorised family mediator where you receive information about mediation and other ways of resolving the dispute without court proceedings.

The current GOV.UK C100 guidance states that attending a MIAM is a legal requirement before applying, unless a valid exemption applies. (GOV.UK)

There are different exemptions, including circumstances where there are concerns about domestic abuse or urgency. The precise requirements should be checked against the current official guidance.

How do I submit a C100?

The current GOV.UK guidance says that people can apply online and that a paper application is available for those who cannot apply online. (GOV.UK)

The application should be made using the current version of the form or the current online process.

Court forms can change, so older copies found online may not reflect the current requirements.

What happens after the application?

Once the application has been received, the court will consider it and the case will move into the court process if it is issued.

For a C100 application, the court will generally send the respondent a copy of the application and a notice of the hearing. (GOV.UK)

The first hearing in a private children case is often referred to as an FHDRA — First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment.

At the early stage, the court may consider safeguarding information, what the dispute is about, whether agreement is possible and what further steps are needed.

What if I need an urgent hearing?

Family court procedure includes provisions for urgent applications.

The appropriate procedure depends on the circumstances. In particularly urgent cases, the court may be asked to consider an application without first giving the other party notice, although this is not something that applies automatically simply because a person considers their case important.

The current government guidance explains that urgent applications can be dealt with differently from ordinary applications where appropriate. (GOV.UK)

Check the current form

The official C100 page was updated in June 2026 and contains the current application form and links to related guidance. (GOV.UK)

This matters because family court forms and procedures can change.

The C100 is essentially the starting form for a number of private children applications. It tells the court what order you are asking for and provides the information needed to begin the proceedings.

It does not, by itself, prove the facts of your case or determine what the court will ultimately decide. What happens afterwards depends on the issues raised, the evidence, safeguarding information and the directions made by the court.