The main official collection is the HMCTS Family Law Forms page and the Divorce and Civil Partnership Dissolution Forms collection.
These cover children, finances, divorce, domestic abuse, enforcement, emergency applications, adoption, appeals, parental responsibility and many other Family Court procedures.
This guide explains the main form numbers, what they are used for and where to find the official version.
Important – This Forms Guide Mainly Covers England & Wales
The C, D, FL, FP and other HMCTS forms listed on this page primarily concern the Family Court system in England and Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have different courts, forms and procedures.
Always use the newest official version of a form.
Official Master Form Collections
HMCTS Family Law Forms
Main collection covering domestic abuse, enforcement, general family applications, forced marriage, FGM and specialist forms.
Open Family Law FormsChildren Act Forms
C100, C1, C1A, C2, parental responsibility forms and other Children Act documents.
Open Children Act FormsDivorce & Dissolution Forms
D8 and other divorce, dissolution, judicial separation and annulment forms.
Open Divorce FormsFinancial Remedy Forms
Current separate HMCTS collection for Form A, Form E, D81, pensions, maintenance and financial enforcement.
Open Financial Remedy FormsAdoption Forms
Adoption, placement, adoption contact, overseas adoption and consent forms.
Open Adoption FormsFamily Procedure Rules Form Index
The official procedural index showing which standard forms relate to each part of the Family Procedure Rules.
Practice Direction 5A – FormsBefore You Fill In Any Form
- Check whether you are starting a new case or making an application inside an existing case.
- Check whether you need permission from the court first.
- Check whether a MIAM requirement applies.
- Check whether a fee is payable.
- Check whether you qualify for Help with Fees.
- Read the notes included with the form.
- Use the newest form from GOV.UK or Justice.gov.uk.
- Include documents the form says must be attached.
- Keep a complete copy of everything you file.
- Follow the specific directions made in your own case.
CHILDREN CASES
Child Arrangements / Contact / School Disputes
Used to apply for:
- Child Arrangements Order
- Specific Issue Order
- Prohibited Steps Order
- variation of an existing Section 8 order
- discharge of an existing Section 8 order
- permission to make a Section 8 application where required
Examples include disputes about:
- where a child lives
- time with a parent
- overnight stays
- holidays
- school choice
- taking certain steps concerning the child
This is the main form for private children disputes between parents.
Official Form C100Domestic Abuse / Harm Allegations in Child Cases
Used to tell the court that you or a child:
- have suffered harm
- are at risk of harm
- have experienced domestic abuse
- have safeguarding concerns
It can also be used to respond to allegations made by another party.
When starting relevant C100 proceedings, it is normally sent with the C100 where allegations of harm need to be raised.
Official Form C1AEnforcement of Child Arrangements Order
Used where an existing Child Arrangements Order is not being followed.
It can also be used for certain applications connected with an existing enforcement order.
When completing it, identify:
- the order being enforced
- the parts you say were breached
- dates the arrangements should have happened
- what actually happened
- what outcome you are asking the court to consider
General Application During Children Proceedings
Form C2 is used in Children Act proceedings to:
- ask for permission to start certain proceedings
- ask for an order during existing proceedings
- ask for directions
- ask to be joined as a party
- ask to cease being a party
Examples may include asking the court to:
- bring a hearing forward
- give additional directions
- deal with an urgent issue within an existing children case
- permit another application where leave is required
Application for Certain Children Act Orders
Form C1 is used for certain Children Act applications that are not made through C100.
Examples include:
- Parental Responsibility Orders
- Special Guardianship applications when combined with C13A
- other specified Children Act orders
Keep Contact Details Confidential
Use C8 to ask the Family Court to keep your and/or your children's contact details private from other parties.
This can include:
- home address
- telephone number
- email address
- other confidential contact information
Do not then put the confidential information elsewhere in documents that will be sent to another party.
Official Form C8More Children Act Forms – C3 to C120
Specialist application asking for an order authorising search for, taking charge of and delivery of a child.
Used to ask the court to require information about where a child is.
Specialist local-authority application concerning registration of childminders or day-care providers.
Used where applicable to provide formal information about service of Family Court documents.
Supplement for an application for a warrant to assist a person authorised by an Emergency Protection Order.
Used with C1 for an application for a Special Guardianship Order.
An intended special guardian normally needs to notify the local authority at least three months before applying.
Official C13ASupplement for a specialist application for authority to refuse contact with a child in local-authority care.
Supplement for an application concerning contact with a child in care.
Specialist form relating to an application for a Child Assessment Order.
Supplement for a specialist application for a Recovery Order under the Children Act.
Specialist application for a warrant of assistance.
Supplement for an application for an order authorising a child to be held in secure accommodation.
Specialist application for an order concerning a child under the High Court's inherent jurisdiction.
Official C66Used for applications under the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 and relevant international arrangements.
Official C67Specialist application concerning transfer of jurisdiction to or from England and Wales.
Used for specified registration, recognition or non-recognition issues involving international child judgments under the applicable Hague arrangements.
Historic/specialist application concerning attachment of a warning notice to a Child Arrangements Order where applicable.
Used for:
- Care Orders
- Supervision Orders
- other Part 4 Children Act orders
- Emergency Protection Orders
Care and supervision applications are normally public-law proceedings brought by local authorities.
Official C110AHMCTS witness-statement template for parental disputes concerning child arrangements where the court directs or permits a witness statement.
Specialist application to vary or set aside a children order where a relevant drug/alcohol toxicology testing error has been identified and is said to have materially affected the order.
Parental Responsibility Forms
Father / Parent Parental Responsibility Agreement
Used where eligible parents agree that parental responsibility should be acquired through a formal agreement.
Official C(PRA1)Step-Parent Parental Responsibility Agreement
Used to make a formal parental-responsibility agreement for an eligible step-parent.
Official C(PRA2)Second Female Parent
Parental Responsibility Agreement under section 4ZA Children Act 1989 for an eligible second female parent.
Official C(PRA3)Parental Responsibility Court Order
Where parental responsibility cannot be obtained by agreement, an eligible person may apply to the Family Court using C1.
Parental Responsibility GuidanceSurrogacy, Parentage & Legal Parent Status
Parental Order After Surrogacy
Intended parents use C51 to apply for a parental order under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.
Official C51Acknowledgement of Parental Order Application
Used by a respondent/legal parent to acknowledge receipt of a parental-order application and state how they intend to respond.
Official C52Declaration of Parentage
Used to ask the court to determine whether a named person is legally the parent of another named person.
Official C63Legitimacy / Overseas Adoption Declarations
Specialist applications for declarations of legitimacy or recognition issues concerning an overseas adoption.
Official Family Procedure FormsMEDIATION & NON-COURT DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting
Used to confirm to the court whether you have attended a MIAM or explain why you did not attend.
HMCTS says FM1 must be sent with certain C1 or C2 applications.
Official FM1Position on Non-Court Dispute Resolution
Used to tell the Family Court your position concerning:
- mediation
- arbitration
- neutral evaluation
- collaborative law
- other non-court dispute resolution
What About Form FM2?
Your original page referred to:
Form FM1 / FM2.
The current official Family Procedure Rules form index lists FM1 and FM5 for non-court dispute resolution.
Do not rely on an old FM2 reference without checking the current HMCTS form list.
DOMESTIC ABUSE / EMERGENCY PROTECTION
Non-Molestation Order / Occupation Order
Used to apply for:
- Non-Molestation Order
- Occupation Order
A Non-Molestation Order can protect against abuse or harassment.
An Occupation Order can regulate who lives in, enters or returns to a family home.
There is no court fee for FL401.
A supporting witness statement should also be provided.
Official FL401Vary, Extend or Discharge an Existing Order
Used to ask the court to change, extend or discharge an existing:
- Non-Molestation Order
- Occupation Order
The order must still be in force.
Official FL403More Domestic Abuse / Family Law Act Forms
Specialist application for a warrant of arrest in relevant Family Law Act proceedings.
Records how Family Law Act documents or orders were served.
Forced Marriage Protection Forms
Main application where protection is required from a forced marriage or attempted forced marriage.
Vary, extend or discharge a Forced Marriage Protection Order.
Application for a warrant of arrest connected with a Forced Marriage Protection Order.
Used where someone needs the court's permission to apply for a Forced Marriage Protection Order on behalf of another person.
Apply to be joined as, or cease to be, a party to Forced Marriage Protection proceedings.
Female Genital Mutilation Protection Forms
Main application for a Female Genital Mutilation Protection Order.
Vary, extend or discharge an existing FGM Protection Order.
Application for a warrant of arrest connected with an FGM Protection Order.
Ask for permission to apply for an FGM Protection Order on behalf of another person where permission is required.
Apply to join or cease being a party to FGM Protection proceedings.
DIVORCE / CIVIL PARTNERSHIP / SEPARATION
Apply for Divorce or Dissolve a Civil Partnership
Main paper application to legally end a marriage or civil partnership.
Many applicants now use the GOV.UK online divorce service.
Answer / Respond to Application
Used to answer specified divorce, dissolution or judicial separation applications where the form applies.
Judicial Separation
Used where parties want legal separation without ending the marriage or civil partnership through divorce/dissolution.
Complete Divorce / Dissolution Form List
Used where the procedural circumstances require a formal statement concerning reconciliation.
Answer a divorce, dissolution or judicial separation application where applicable.
Used in the circumstances described on the current HMCTS divorce collection.
Ask the court to allow proceedings to continue without the normal service requirement where the legal requirements are satisfied.
Sole application to make a conditional order final after a joint application in the relevant circumstances.
Conditional-order applications in void or voidable annulment proceedings.
Ask a court bailiff to personally serve relevant divorce or family documents where applicable.
Used to request a search for evidence of a decree absolute or final divorce order.
FINANCIAL ORDERS / MONEY / PROPERTY
Start a Financial Remedy Case
Used to start a request for a financial order connected with divorce or civil partnership dissolution.
Financial orders can concern:
- property
- lump sums
- pensions
- spousal maintenance
- other financial relief
Full Financial Disclosure
Major financial disclosure document in contested financial remedy proceedings.
It requires information about:
- income
- bank accounts
- properties
- mortgages
- debts
- pensions
- investments
- business interests
- financial needs
Supporting documents must normally be provided as required by the form and court directions.
Official Form EConsent Order Financial Information
Used when parties have agreed a financial settlement and want the Family Court to approve a consent order.
D81 provides financial information so the judge can consider whether the proposed settlement is fair.
Official D81Agreed Financial Settlement
The draft consent order records the legal terms the parties want the judge to approve.
It is generally lodged with D81 and any other documents required by the court or online service.
GOV.UK Consent Order GuidanceComplete Financial Remedy Form Directory
Application for specified financial remedies outside the standard Form A route in the County Court or High Court.
Specialist notice relating to a financial remedy in the magistrates' court.
Notice asking the court to consider the respondent's financial position following divorce/dissolution in the relevant procedure.
Financial statement for specified financial remedies other than the main Form E financial-order procedure.
Financial statement used for certain applications to vary an existing financial-remedy order.
Notice of allegation in financial-remedy proceedings.
Position on mediation and other non-court dispute resolution.
Financial Remedy Summary of Case.
Financial Remedy Summary of Finances.
Estimate of legal costs for a financial-remedy hearing.
Statement of costs in financial-remedy proceedings.
Request concerning periodical payments at the same rate as interim maintenance pending the outcome of proceedings.
Pension inquiry information where a pension-sharing or pension-attachment order may be considered.
Pension Sharing Annex.
Pension Attachment Annex.
Pension Protection Fund inquiry, sharing and attachment forms.
Other Financial & Property Forms
D50 Series
Applications and service documents under the Married Women's Property Act / Civil Partnership Act, with D50B also covering certain tenancy-transfer applications.
Application based on failure to provide reasonable maintenance.
Alteration of a maintenance agreement after the death of one of the parties.
Ask permission to apply for financial relief after an overseas divorce or dissolution.
Substantive application for financial relief following an overseas divorce/dissolution.
Application seeking to prevent a transaction intended to defeat a potential financial-remedy claim.
Application to alter a maintenance agreement during the parties' lifetime.
Application for an order preventing avoidance under section 32L Child Support Act 1991.
Ask the court to enforce a financial order by a method the court considers appropriate.
Calculator Error Forms
Specialist application to vary or set aside a financial order said to have been materially affected by an HMCTS Form E calculator error.
Equivalent specialist application where a Form E1 calculator error is relevant.
Applications During Existing Proceedings
Existing Children Case
Normally used for applications under Part 18 made during or in connection with Children Act proceedings.
Divorce / Financial Proceedings
General application notice used for many applications during divorce, dissolution and financial-remedy proceedings.
Find D11Other Family Proceedings
General Part 18 family application notice where another prescribed form such as C2 or D11 does not apply.
Applications During Appeals
N244 is used for certain applications within family-court appeal proceedings.
FP244 is used for applications within appeals to the Family Division of the High Court.
FEES / HELP WITH FEES
Help With Court Fees
Use EX160 if you need help paying an eligible Family Court fee because of:
- low income
- certain benefits
- limited savings
You can also apply through the online Help with Fees service.
If using the paper form, submit it with the court application for which the fee is due.
EX160A
Official guidance explaining Help with Fees eligibility and how to complete the application.
Read EX160A GuidanceEX160B – Emergency Applications
Specialist undertaking used in qualifying emergency situations to undertake to apply for fee remission or pay the court fee.
Fees & Help With Fees FormsFAMILY COURT APPEALS
Family Court / Court of Appeal Appellant's Notice
GOV.UK says N161 is used when appealing to:
- the Family Court
- the Court of Appeal
The form also contains a section for requesting permission to appeal where permission is required.
Official N161Appeal to the Family Division of the High Court
Used for an appeal to the Family Division of the High Court where this is the correct appeal destination.
Other Appeal Forms
Respondent's Notice in relevant appeals.
Skeleton Argument form.
Appellant's Notice used in specified appeal procedures.
Respondent's Notice for appeals in the Family Division of the High Court.
Application notice within a Family Division High Court appeal.
General Family Court Forms
Application under Part 19 Family Procedure Rules where that alternative procedure applies.
General family application notice under Part 18 where C2, D11 or another specific form does not apply.
General application for an injunction where FP3 is the prescribed form.
Acknowledgement of service for a Part 19 family application.
Certificate of service in Family Court proceedings.
Notify the court about a change to legal representation.
Certificate of suitability of a litigation friend where someone requires a litigation friend.
Witness summons – used where the court is being asked to require a witness to attend or produce evidence in the relevant circumstances.
General affidavit form where an affidavit is required.
Contempt of Court
Ask the Court to Consider Contempt
FC600 is the current HMCTS form for an application asking the Family Court to consider an allegation of contempt of court.
Contempt proceedings can carry serious consequences. Do not use this merely because you disagree with another party or believe an order has been breached.
A standard Child Arrangements enforcement issue would normally be considered through the appropriate Children Act enforcement procedure, such as C79, rather than automatically using contempt proceedings.
Financial Enforcement Forms
Enforcement Options
Ask the court to choose an appropriate method of enforcing a financial order.
Request for issue of a judgment summons.
Application for a charging order over land or property.
Application for a charging order over securities.
Request for an Attachment of Earnings Order.
Request/result of a search of the attachment-of-earnings index.
Reply / statement of means relating to an attachment of earnings application.
Request for a warrant of control/execution where that enforcement procedure is applicable.
Application for a Third Party Debt Order.
Maintenance Orders & International Enforcement
Application to register a maintenance order in the Family Court.
Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders forms are used in international maintenance cases.
Depending on the country and procedure, official forms include:
- REMO 1
- REMO 2
- REMO 7
- REMO 8
- REMO 9
- REMO 10
- REMO 11
- REMO 12
- REMO 13
These are specialist international-maintenance forms. Check which international convention or reciprocal arrangement applies before completing one.
Find REMO FormsCosts Forms
Legal Costs / Assessment Forms
Estimate of costs in financial-remedy proceedings.
Statement of costs in financial-remedy proceedings.
Statement of costs for summary assessment.
Notice commencing detailed assessment of a bill of costs.
Request for a Default Costs Certificate.
Request for a detailed-assessment hearing.
Specialist detailed-assessment forms for legal aid, specified funds or Solicitors Act proceedings.
Appeal relating to a detailed assessment.
Adoption & Placement Forms
Adoption cases use a separate A-series of forms.
Adoption Applications
Revocation of an old order freeing a child for adoption.
Substitute one adoption agency for another.
Application for a Placement Order.
Variation of a Placement Order.
Revocation of a Placement Order.
Contact / no-contact application under relevant provisions of the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
Vary or revoke an adoption-contact order.
Permission to change an adopted/placed child's surname.
Permission to remove a child from the UK under the applicable adoption provisions.
Recovery Order under the Adoption and Children Act.
Main application for an Adoption Order.
Official A58Convention Adoption Order.
Adoption application involving a child habitually resident outside the British Islands and brought here for adoption.
Parental responsibility prior to adoption abroad.
Specialist application for a direction under section 88 Adoption and Children Act 2002.
Annul a Convention adoption / overseas-adoption status in specified circumstances.
Request information from adoption court records.
Request information from court records about a parental order.
Confidential information in relevant adoption proceedings.
Adoption Consent Forms
Consent to placement with adopters chosen by an adoption agency.
Consent to placement with identified prospective adopters.
Agreement to a parental order following surrogacy.
Consent to identified adopters with additional provision if that placement breaks down.
Advance consent to adoption.
Consent to adoption.
Consent to specified overseas-adoption parental responsibility order.
Withdrawal of specified adoption consent.
Consent to adoption by a parent's partner.
Public Law / Local Authority Children Proceedings
These forms are generally specialist and frequently used by local authorities, solicitors and professionals rather than parents starting an ordinary private Child Arrangements dispute.
Care Order, Supervision Order, other Part 4 orders and Emergency Protection Order applications.
Standard directions on issue in relevant Public Law Outline proceedings.
Standard directions at the first appointment in relevant public law proceedings.
Order menu used in specified private-law directions procedures.
Most Common Forms People Actually Use
For many members of the public dealing with ordinary Family Court issues, the most commonly encountered forms include:
- C100 – child arrangements / Specific Issue / Prohibited Steps
- C1A – harm and domestic-abuse allegations
- C2 – application during an existing children case
- C79 – enforcement of a Child Arrangements Order
- C8 – confidential address/contact details
- FL401 – Non-Molestation / Occupation Order
- D8 – divorce/dissolution
- Form A – start financial-remedy proceedings
- Form E – detailed financial disclosure
- D81 – financial consent-order information
- EX160 – Help with Fees
- N161 – many Family Court appeals
Which Form Do I Need?
I want contact / child arrangements
C100
I want to stop a school move / particular decision
C100 – Prohibited Steps / Specific Issue
There is domestic abuse or risk in my children case
C1A with the relevant application/response.
I already have a children case and need another direction
C2
A Child Arrangements Order is being breached
C79
I need to hide my address
C8
I need protection from abuse or harassment
FL401
I need parental responsibility
C(PRA1), C(PRA2), C(PRA3) or C1, depending on circumstances.
I want to become a Special Guardian
C1 + C13A + usually FM1
I want a divorce
D8 or online divorce service
I want the court to divide finances
Form A
I need to disclose finances
Form E
We have agreed a financial settlement
D81 + draft Consent Order
I cannot afford the court fee
EX160 / online Help with Fees
I want to appeal a Family Court decision
Often N161, but the correct appeal form depends on the court being appealed to.
I need an adoption order
A58 in the ordinary applicable route.
Family Procedure Rule 5 – Use the Correct Form
The Family Procedure Rules provide that prescribed forms should be used for the cases to which they apply.
Documents that the form itself says must be attached should normally be attached unless the court directs otherwise.
Using the wrong form can:
- delay an application
- cause the application to be returned
- lead to additional fees
- mean important information is missing
Final Message
Family Court forms can look complicated, but the first question is usually simple:
What exactly are you asking the court to do?
Once that is clear, identify whether you are:
starting a new case, making an application in an existing case, enforcing an order, challenging a decision, seeking protection, dealing with finances, or responding to someone else's application.
Always read the form itself and its official notes before submitting it.
Right Form. Right Evidence. Right Procedure.
Right First Time UK