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Form C7: responding to a court application about a child

You’ve been sent a C100 or another children application. This is the reply form, and what each answer tells the court.

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

Form C7 is the acknowledgement you complete when you’re named as a respondent in a court application about a child, such as a C100. It tells the court whether you oppose the application, raises any safety concerns and says what you need at court. There is no fee. You may be able to respond online instead.

Official name
Acknowledgement (respond to a court application about a child)
Court fee
None
Online or paper
Online if the court’s covering letter gives you access; otherwise paper
Who fills it in
Each respondent named in the application
When
As soon as you can, and by any date in the notice the court sent you
Current version
C7 (09.26)
Where it goes
To the court by post or its published email address, with copies to the applicant and every other party

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

How do you fill in Form C7?

C7 is short: ten questions and a statement of truth. Read the application carefully first, and the C1A if one was included.

Questions 1 to 3: about you

Your details, your solicitor’s if you have one, and where letters should go. To keep your address private, leave it blank and complete form C8.

Questions 4 and 5: the application

Give the date you received it and whether you oppose it. Opposing doesn’t commit you to anything except saying you don’t agree with what’s been asked for.

Questions 6 and 7: safety

Question 6 asks whether the applicant sent you a C1A, and whether you want to comment on it. Question 7 asks whether you believe the children have suffered or are at risk of harm from domestic abuse, violence, abduction or other behaviour. If you answer yes to both parts of question 6, or yes to question 7, you must also complete form C1A.

Question 8: your own application

Say whether you intend to apply for an order yourself, for example if you want the children to live with you. That would be a separate application.

Questions 9 and 10: attending court

Say if you need an interpreter, and set out in full any disability-related needs, such as documents in large print, a hearing loop or a sign language interpreter. The form warns that if the court doesn’t know your needs, a hearing may have to be adjourned.

Statement of truth

Sign and date it. Make copies for the applicant and every other party named in the application.

What are the common mistakes on Form C7?

  • Not responding, and hoping the case goes away. The first hearing goes ahead without your view.
  • Including your address when it needs to stay private.
  • Ignoring the applicant’s C1A when you dispute what it says.
  • Forgetting to send copies to the applicant and other parties.
  • Not mentioning access needs until the day of the hearing.

What happens after you send Form C7?

Cafcass carries out safeguarding checks and will usually contact you by phone before the first hearing. At the hearing, the judge or magistrates will find out what you agree on and what you don’t. If you want to make your own application, you’ll need to file it separately.

Where do you get Form C7?

If the covering letter gave you access to the HMCTS online dashboard, you can respond there. Otherwise download C7 from GOV.UK and send it to the court by post or by email to the court’s published address. A Welsh version is also available.

Open Form C7 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 C7?

If the application includes allegations against you, or you’re worried about the children’s safety, speak to a family solicitor before the first hearing. If you’d rather settle arrangements without a hearing, a mediator can help, and the court may suggest it anyway.

Get help with Form C7

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

Is there a fee to respond to a C100?

No. There is no fee to file form C7. If you want to make your own application, that has its own fee.

Do I have to respond to a C100?

You should. The court uses your C7 to plan the first hearing, including any safety arrangements. If you do not respond, the hearing can go ahead without your view.

Can I respond online?

Yes, if the court’s covering letter gave you access to the HMCTS online dashboard. Otherwise send the paper form by post or email.

When do I need form C1A as well?

If you want to comment on a C1A the applicant sent, or you believe the children have suffered or are at risk of harm, the form says you must also complete C1A.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK, Respond to a court application about a child: Form C7 (form version 09.26)
  2. GOV.UK, Making child arrangements: after you apply for a court order
Form C100Ask the court to decide where children live, time with each parent or a specific issueForm C1ATell the court about domestic abuse or risk of harm in a children caseForm C8Keep your address and contact details private from the other sideForm C2Ask for something in a children case already under way

Guides and tools

Child arrangements order without a solicitorThe C100 from start to finishChild arrangements after divorceAgreeing who looks after the childrenDealing with a difficult exPractical steps when things are hard

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.