C100 Form Explained: Applying to Court for Child Arrangements

When parents separate, worries about children don’t usually arrive all at once. At first, they sit quietly in the background. Then something happens. A disagreement over school nights. A holiday that hasn’t been agreed. A pick-up time that suddenly changes.

That’s often the moment parents find themselves asking a question they never expected to ask: How do I apply to court for child arrangements, and what is this C100 form everyone keeps mentioning?

That’s where I found myself.

I remember opening the form for the first time and feeling my shoulders tense. It looked long. Formal. A bit intimidating. And when emotions are already running high, paperwork can feel overwhelming. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

This is my experience of learning what the C100 form actually is, when it’s used, and what helped me avoid some common mistakes along the way.

The C100 form is the document used to apply to the family court when parents can’t agree arrangements for their child.

In most cases, it’s used to ask the court to make a child arrangements order. This can cover:

• Where a child lives
• How much time they spend with each parent
• How contact works in practice

The same form can also be used to apply for:

• Prohibited steps orders
• Specific issue orders

Once I understood this, the form felt less daunting. It wasn’t asking me to tell my whole life story. It was asking the court to understand who my child was, who was involved in their care, what I was asking for, and why the court’s help was needed.

Most people use the C100 when parents are unable to agree informally or through mediation.

Before applying, there’s usually an expectation to attend a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting). The idea is to see whether mediation could help avoid court proceedings.

There are recognised exemptions, including:

• Domestic abuse
• Urgent safeguarding concerns
• A recent MIAM
• Situations where mediation isn’t suitable

This section matters more than I realised at first. Incomplete or unclear MIAM information is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or returned.

One question that kept running through my head was, Will the court look at what’s fair for me?

What I learned is that the court’s focus is always the child. Judges apply the welfare checklist under the Children Act 1989, which looks at:

• The child’s wishes and feelings (where appropriate)
• Their emotional, physical and educational needs
• The effect of any proposed changes
• Any risk of harm

I spoke to a father called Andrew while going through this process. He initially framed his application around how little time he felt he was getting. When he shifted his focus to his child’s school routine and bedtime structure, everything became clearer. His application felt calmer. More grounded. More child-focused.

Before this process, I assumed child arrangements had to be complex. In reality, courts tend to prefer proposals that are clear and practical.

They look closely at day-to-day life. School. Travel. Bedtimes. What actually works for the child, not what sounds good on paper.

Understanding this changed how I approached the form. It wasn’t about winning an argument. It was about explaining what felt stable and workable for my child.

Here are some issues I saw come up again and again.

1. Writing emotionally rather than factually

It’s natural to feel upset. But long emotional explanations can hide the key points. Short, factual answers are easier for the court to work with.

2. MIAM details that don’t add up

Claiming an exemption without enough explanation can cause delays.

3. Unrealistic proposals

Requests that don’t fit with school schedules, work commitments or travel distances can raise concerns.

4. Leaving sections incomplete

Even small gaps can result in the application being returned.

Completing the form yourself is allowed. Many parents do. But mistakes can cost time.

Fixed-fee C100 form help can be useful if you want:

• Confidence the form is completed correctly
• Clear MIAM exemption wording
• An application focused on the child’s needs

I’ve spoken to parents who waited weeks longer than necessary because of a simple error. When children are involved, those delays can feel heavy.

I used guides from Family Law Service to help me understand what the court was actually looking for, which made completing the paperwork myself feel more manageable.

You don’t need a solicitor to submit a C100 form. Parents can represent themselves.

That said, it can be helpful to get legal advice on:

• What orders to apply for
• How to present concerns clearly
• Whether court is the right next step

Some parents choose fixed-fee support rather than full representation. For many, that feels like a balanced option.

The courts are consistent on one point.

In Re C (A Child) [2011] EWCA Civ 521, the Court of Appeal confirmed that decisions about child arrangements must centre on the child’s welfare, not parental entitlement. This principle underpins every C100 application.

If you’re unsure about the next step, it can help to:

• Check whether mediation is required
• Think about what works best for your child day to day
• Get clear information before submitting the form

Taking a pause to understand the process made a real difference for me.

Applying to court is rarely a decision taken lightly. The C100 form isn’t about blame. It’s about helping the court understand what a child needs and why support is required.

Taking time to get the form right, and getting help where it feels useful, can make the process calmer and more focused for both parents and children.

Note: This story is based on real experiences. AI was used to help structure the piece, but the final version was reviewed, edited, and added by a human.