Form C2: Application in existing proceedings relating to children

What is C2 Application (Children Act 1989)?

Form C2 is used in the Family Court in England and Wales under the Children Act 1989. You use it to apply for permission to start proceedings where you need it, to ask for an order or directions in proceedings that are already running, or to be joined as, or cease to be, a party in existing family proceedings.

The form covers the children concerned and the orders you are applying for, the applicants, the respondents and anyone else who should be told about the application, your solicitor, what you are applying for and why, attending court (interpreters, disabilities and special arrangements such as a separate waiting room), and a statement of truth. If you don't want your contact details known to the other side, you leave them blank and use the confidential contact details form C8 instead. Some private law orders also need form FM1.

FileIt asks each question in plain English, hides the contact details you choose to keep confidential, and prints your answers into HMCTS's own C2 PDF (06.26 edition), including names with accents and non-English letters. You sign it and take or send it to the court yourself. FileIt never files anything for you.

Who needs to fill out C2 Application (Children Act 1989)?

• Parents and others who need the court's permission to start Children Act proceedings.
• Parties in an existing children case who want an order or directions, for example to vary arrangements.
• People who want to be joined as a party to existing family proceedings about a child, or to stop being one.
• Solicitors applying for a client in existing children proceedings.

When to use C2 Application (Children Act 1989)

• When you are applying within existing Children Act 1989 proceedings, or for permission to start them.
• Section C of leaflet CB1 explains who needs permission to apply; section D explains which order to apply for.
• If you apply for a parental responsibility order, a guardian order, permission to change a child's surname or remove a child from the UK, or a special guardianship order (or to vary or end one), the form says you must also file form FM1.

What you need before you start

• The existing case number, if there are proceedings already.
• Each child's full name, date of birth and gender, the orders you are applying for and their relationship to the applicants and respondents.
• Full names, previous names, dates and places of birth, addresses (with any previous addresses in the last 5 years) and contact details for the applicants and respondents, unless kept confidential on form C8.
• Details of anyone else who should be told, such as someone who cares for the child but isn't a parent.
• Your solicitor's details, if you have one.
• A short explanation of what you are applying for and why.
• Any interpreter, disability or security needs for attending court.

What’s on C2 Application (Children Act 1989)

The 2026 edition has 10 pages. FileIt asks for it in 12 parts, and it is signed by Applicant:

1. 1. Summary of applicationApplicant
2. 2. About you (applicant 1)Applicant
3. 2. Applicant 2Applicant
4. 3. Respondent 1Applicant
5. 3. Respondent 2Applicant
6. 4. Others who should be given noticeApplicant
7. 4. Others: person 2Applicant
8. 5. Solicitor's detailsApplicant
9. 6. Details of applicationApplicant
10. 7. Attending the courtApplicant
11. 8. Statement of truthApplicant
12. What to do nowApplicant

How to fill out C2 Application (Children Act 1989), step by step

1 1. Summary of application

Your name, the respondents' names, whether you are applying for permission (or permission isn't needed or has already been granted), any existing case numbers, and the children with the orders you are applying for, oldest first.

2 2 and 3. Applicants and respondents

Full names, previous names, gender, date and place of birth, and contact details for up to two applicants and two respondents, with previous addresses where they haven't lived at the current one for 5 years. Leave contact details blank and use form C8 if they must be kept confidential. More than two respondents go on a separate sheet.

3 4 and 5. Others to be told, and your solicitor

Anyone else who should be given notice, with their relationship to each child, and your solicitor's name, firm, address and reference if you have one.

4 6 and 7. Your application and attending court

Brief details of what you are applying for and why. Then whether anyone needs an interpreter (language and dialect), whether anyone has a disability needing special assistance, and whether the court needs to make special arrangements, such as a separate waiting room or other security provisions.

5 8. Statement of truth and what to do now

Tick 'I believe' if you sign yourself, or 'The applicant believes' if you are the applicant's legal representative, then sign and date. The last page is a checklist: copies of form C100 and C1A where you need permission, the signed form and the correct fee.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving questions blank without saying they don't apply: the form says this could delay the case.
• Putting contact details on C2 that should be kept from the other side, instead of using form C8.
• Forgetting form FM1 for the private law orders that need it.
• Not sending enough copies: one for the court, one for Cafcass / CAFCASS CYMRU and one for each party or other person.
• Leaving out the fee, or not applying for help with fees before sending it.
• Not telling the court now that an interpreter is needed.

After you fill it out

Print the form, check it and sign the statement of truth, or sign it with FileIt's eSignature.

Take or send it to the court with the correct fee and the right number of copies. FileIt doesn't send anything for you.

Cafcass or CAFCASS CYMRU will carry out the checks it considers necessary. Court staff may contact you about any arrangements you asked for. Keep your copy and the court's orders together in FileIt.

C2 Application (Children Act 1989): frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Blank form (PDF), published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a291f39db0592d809052b7e/C2_0626_save.pdf
• Official instructions and guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/make-an-application-in-existing-court-proceedings-relating-to-children-form-c2
• Edition shown on this page: C2 (06.26) (checked 2026-10-25).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by HM Courts & Tribunals Service or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-25.

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