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Form C2: applications in an existing children case

For when the court is already dealing with your children’s case and you need to ask it for something more.

By Paige ThomsonFacts checked 20 October 2026Covers the law in England and Wales

Form C2 is used to ask for an order or directions in a children case the court is already dealing with, to ask permission to start proceedings, or to join or leave a case. The fee is £195 if the court decides at a hearing, or £62 if it’s by consent or without notice. New cases generally use C100 instead.

Official name
Application in existing court proceedings relating to children (Children Act 1989)
Court fee
£195 on notice; £62 by consent or without notice. Asking permission to start new proceedings is a new Children Act application (£270).
Online or paper
Paper
Who fills it in
A party to the case, or someone asking to join it
When
While the court is still dealing with the case
Current version
C2 (06.26)
Where it goes
The court dealing with the case

Correct at 20 October 2026. Fees from GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50).

How do you fill in Form C2?

Read the court’s guide to making an application (CB1) alongside C2. The form has eight short sections.

Section 1: summary of application

A one-line summary of what you’re asking for, with the case number.

Sections 2 to 5: the people

Your details, the respondents, anyone else who should be told, and your solicitor. Use C8 for anything that must stay private.

Section 6: details of the application

Set out the order or directions you want and why. Examples are changing a hearing date, asking for a report, asking for an order on an issue that’s come up since you applied, or asking the court to approve something you’ve now agreed.

Sections 7 and 8: attending court and statement of truth

Your needs at court, then sign the statement of truth.

What are the common mistakes on Form C2?

  • Using C2 to start a new case. If there’s no case about the children, use C100.
  • Paying £62 when the other side hasn’t agreed and a hearing is needed.
  • Asking for several unrelated things without explaining each.
  • Forgetting FM1. For some orders, such as permission to change a child’s surname or remove them from the UK, the MIAM form FM1 must go with C2.

What happens after you send Form C2?

The court decides whether to deal with the application on paper or at a hearing, and tells everyone. If you and the other side have agreed, a judge can approve the order without a hearing.

Where do you get Form C2?

Download C2 from GOV.UK and send it to the court dealing with your case. A Welsh version is available.

Open Form C2 on GOV.UK

We explain forms but never host them, so you always download the current version from GOV.UK.

When should you get help with Form C2?

A family solicitor can tell you whether C2 is the right route and draft the order you want. If the change is something you could agree, a mediator can help you get there first.

Get help with Form C2

Tell us what’s going on and we’ll introduce you to two or three family solicitors who can help. Introductions are free for you.

Get matched with a family solicitor

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Common questions

How much does a C2 application cost?

It costs £195 if the other side is notified and the court decides, often at a hearing, or £62 if it is by consent or without notice. Help with Fees can reduce or cover it.

What is the difference between C2 and C100?

C100 starts a new case about children. C2 is for applications within a case the court is already dealing with, or for asking permission to start proceedings.

Can I use C2 to change a final order?

GOV.UK says to use form C100 to change or end a court order that is no longer working. C2 is for cases the court is still considering.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK, Make an application in existing court proceedings relating to children: Form C2 (form version 06.26)
  2. GOV.UK, Making child arrangements: after you apply for a court order
  3. GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50), updated 13 July 2026
  4. GOV.UK, Form FM1 (form version 04.24)
Form C100Ask the court to decide where children live, time with each parent or a specific issueForm FM1Confirm a MIAM for certain children applications on C1 or C2Form C8Keep your address and contact details private from the other sideForm C79Enforce a child arrangements order that isn’t being followedForm EX160Get some or all of a court fee paid

Guides and tools

Child arrangements order without a solicitorThe C100 from start to finishChild arrangements after divorceAgreeing who looks after the childrenDivorce and family court fees 2026Every fee in one dated table

This page is general information about court forms, not legal or financial advice. Forms, fees and rules change, so always download the current form from GOV.UK and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 20 October 2026.