What is a grandparent visiting agreement?
Grandparents are often a big part of children's lives — weekly visits, sleepovers, school pick-ups and holidays. Most of the time it all works on goodwill. But misunderstandings happen: bedtimes ignored, sweets before dinner, photos posted publicly, a trip planned without asking. A short, friendly agreement helps everyone know what to expect.
This agreement records regular visits, sleepovers, calls and holidays, with give-and-take on changes. It sets the house rules the grandparents follow, health and allergy points, transport, and what happens if a child is ill or hurt. It confirms that parents make the decisions about upbringing, that nobody criticises the other in front of the children, that big things are checked first, and how photos are shared online. It's a family agreement — not a legal contract, and it doesn't affect any court order.
- Best for
- Parents and grandparents who want a clear, friendly arrangement
- Signed by
- A parent and a grandparent
- Covers
- Visits, sleepovers, calls, holidays, house rules, transport, photos, concerns
- Legal status
- A good-faith family agreement — not a contract
- Length
- 2 pages
When to use a grandparent visiting agreement
- Setting a regular weekend visit pattern with grandparents
- Grandparents who look after the children one day a week
- Agreeing sleepover and holiday arrangements
- Resetting expectations after a disagreement
- Keeping grandparents involved after a family move or separation
What you fill in
13 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: parent, grandparent.
1 The family
- Parent name(s)*
- Grandparent name(s)*
- Grandchildren (names and ages)*
- Starts on*
2 Time together
- Regular visits*
- Sleepovers
- Calls and video calls
- Holidays and special occasions
3 Practical points
- Transport
- House rules to follow*
- Allergies, health or dietary points
- Photos of the grandchildren online* Shared privately with family only, not posted publicly · May be posted on the grandparents' private social media · Not shared online at all
- Review on
4 Who signs
- Parent signature and date · A parent of the grandchildren. If both parents should sign, send a copy to each.
- Grandparent signature and date · If two grandparents are named, one signs for both or send a copy to each.
What the grandparent visiting agreement covers
- Time together
- While the Grandchildren are with the Grandparents
- Respecting each other's role
- Raising concerns and reviewing
Using the grandparent visiting agreement, step by step
1 The family
Enter the parents', grandparents' and grandchildren's names and a start date.
2 Time together
Describe regular visits, and add sleepovers, calls and holidays if you've agreed them.
3 House rules and practical points
Edit the default house rules to match your family. Add health points, transport and your choice on photos online.
4 Sign together
Set a review date and send it to the grandparents. Both sign online and keep a copy.
Tips before you send it
- Write the house rules together, so they feel fair to both sides.
- Give grandparents a copy of the children's allergy and medication information, and keep it current.
- Review the agreement as the children grow and routines change.
- Pair it with a medical treatment authorization if grandparents look after the children overnight or on trips.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Grandparent visiting agreement: frequently asked questions
Does this give grandparents legal visitation rights?
No. The agreement says it's not a legal contract and doesn't create or affect any legal right to contact or custody, or any court order.
Who has the final say?
The parents. The grandparents agree to respect the parents' decisions about upbringing and raise concerns privately.
What if a visit has to be cancelled?
Either side can ask to change or cancel a visit with as much notice as possible, and offer another date where they can.
Can both parents and both grandparents sign?
This version has one parent and one grandparent signing, with all names written in. To have everyone sign, send a copy to each person.
Can grandparents sign on their phone?
Yes. They don't need a FileIt account, and they'll get the signed PDF by email.