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MIAM certificate · England and Wales

MIAM certificate: prepare with Miam

A MIAM certificate is the confirmation an authorised family mediator signs to show you attended a mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM), which most family court applications must include[1][2]. It comes with the MIAM at no extra charge[3] and covers an application made within 4 months[4]. Miam is a free AI assistant that helps you prepare.

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Last reviewed Sources checked

Prepare with MiamSee the sources
A MIAM certificate covers[4]
The certificate, with the MIAM[3]
Typical MIAM, each[5]
Usual MIAM length[6]

01/ Start here

Plain-English guides

What is a MIAM?

Who needs one, what happens and what it costs.

MIAM certificate cost

What you pay, and when the MIAM is free.

MIAM certificate expiry checker

The last day your MIAM counts.

MIAM exemptions

The situations the rules list.

C100 form

Applying to court about children.

Form FM1

The stand-alone MIAM form.

Find a mediator

The FMC register, by postcode.

Child maintenance calculator

An estimate using the CMS rates.

02/ What it is

What a MIAM certificate is

Before most applications to the family court about children or money you must attend a MIAM: a mediation information and assessment meeting[8][9]. Your application then has to contain either confirmation from an authorised family mediator that you attended, or an exemption you are claiming[1]. The Family Mediation Council calls that confirmation the mediator's certificate, or MIAM certificate[10].

It is not a separate document: it is a section of the court form that the mediator completes, dates and signs, with their Family Mediation Council registration number[11]. The form depends on what you are applying for: Form FM1 goes with a Form C1 or C2, while the C100 and Form A carry their own MIAM sections[12].

The MIAM certificate: the MIAM section of the court form (Form C100 section 4, Form A section 4 or Form FM1 section 3), signed by an FMC-accredited mediator, with the application made within 4 months of the MIAM
Where the MIAM certificate goes: the mediator signs section 4 of the C100[13], section 4 of Form A[14] or section 3 of Form FM1[15], and the MIAM covers an application made within 4 months[4].

For a child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order, the MIAM part is inside Form C100[16]. The mediator completes and signs section 4; section 2 asks whether you attended and section 3 is for exemptions[13].

03/ What Miam does

Miam prepares you. The mediator signs your MIAM certificate.

Miam is a free AI assistant: our "AI for Good" project, with nothing to pay. Talk or type it through: what you want for the children, what you could agree, what worries you and what to ask. You walk into the MIAM with what Miam helped you write down.

Only an authorised family mediator can conduct a MIAM and sign the confirmation the court needs[2]. Miam cannot run a MIAM, sign a MIAM certificate, decide whether an exemption applies or give legal advice.

04/ Do I need one?

When you need a MIAM certificate

Attending a MIAM before certain family court applications is a legal requirement[8]: your application must include the mediator's confirmation or a claimed exemption[1]. Pick your situation:

Applications about children are covered: child arrangements orders and the other section 8 orders, parental responsibility orders and more[18]. You apply on Form C100, online or on paper[16].

See the C100 form guide and what happens after a C100.

05/ Getting one

How to get a MIAM certificate

Open any step to read the detail, from first contact to a signed form.

  1. Search the FMC register by postcode and filter for mediators qualified to sign court forms, offering legal aid or working online[27]. Ask what the MIAM costs when you contact them[28]. See find a mediator.

06/ Who signs it

Who can sign a MIAM certificate

Only an authorised family mediator, a person the Family Mediation Council identifies as qualified, can conduct a MIAM and sign the confirmation[2]. The FMC says only mediators it has accredited, known as "FMCA", can sign a court form to say you have been to a MIAM[36], and only once the MIAM has taken place[37].

So not every mediator can sign: some mediators on the register are still working towards accreditation, and only accredited (FMCA) mediators are recognised as qualified to sign the MIAM section of court forms[38][39]. When you search the FMC register, tick the filter for mediators qualified to sign court forms[27]. See find a mediator or MIAM near me.

07/ What it says

What your MIAM certificate confirms

On the C100, the mediator ticks whether only you attended a MIAM or each of you attended a separate one[11]. They also tick why mediation or another non-court option is not going ahead: for example, you do not consider it appropriate, the mediator has said it is unsuitable at this time, or the other parent has not attended a MIAM[11].

It does not tell the court what was said: mediators must not share information from a MIAM, and if mediation is not going ahead the only reason they give the other person or the court is that it is not suitable at the present time[40].

Check your MIAM certificate before you file

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Your ticks stay in this browser only.

08/ How long it lasts

How long a MIAM certificate lasts

If you attended a MIAM in the 4 months before your application, you do not have to attend another[4]. The rule applies to the same, or substantially the same, dispute[42].

The FMC's guidance for mediators puts it the same way: a mediator's signature on the court form is treated as valid for 4 months[37]. The FMC tells parents they can ask the mediator to sign the court form as long as the MIAM was within the last 4 months[33].

Use the MIAM certificate expiry checker to see the last day your MIAM counts.

Plan the date. If you expect to apply to court, book the MIAM when you are ready to apply within 4 months, not months ahead[4].

If your MIAM certificate has expired

Once the four months have passed, the exemption for a recent MIAM no longer applies[4]. The FMC's guidance says that if no mediation has taken place in that time, another MIAM should be held to check whether circumstances have substantially changed, and it may be shorter, with the fee adjusted[37]. Ask your mediator what they offer.

09/ What it costs

What a MIAM certificate costs

The MIAM typically costs £120–£150 per person, and each of you pays for your own[5]. There is no separate charge for the mediator completing the court confirmation: it is part of the MIAM[3].

The MIAM is free if either of you qualifies for legal aid; if only one of you does, legal aid covers the MIAM and the first mediation session for both[43]. For disputes about children, the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme can pay up to £500 towards mediation sessions after the MIAM, but not the MIAM itself[44][45]. More on MIAM certificate cost.

If you then apply to court, the court fee comes on top[46]. Pick an application below to see what it costs:

Court fee · fee 2.1(d)

£270

in force from 13 July 2026

Fees from the Family Proceedings Fees Order 2008 as amended[46][47][48][49]. Help with Fees is available if you are on a low income or benefits[50].

Estimate only. Beta service. Always check with official government websites. Check Help with Fees on GOV.UK.

10/ Exemptions

MIAM exemption certificate: when you may not need a MIAM

There is no "exemption certificate": to claim an exemption, you tick the exemption boxes on the court form[14], and where an exemption needs evidence you send it with the application[51]. GOV.UK says you will not usually need a MIAM if[52]:

  • you went to a MIAM, or tried other ways of agreeing, in the last 4 months[52];
  • you have evidence that you are a victim of domestic abuse, in one of the forms the rules list[52][24];
  • you are applying for a consent order[52];
  • your children are at risk of harm, for example social services are involved[52][53];
  • you cannot attend because of your location, situation or the mediator's availability[52][54];
  • you are applying for a without notice hearing, or the application is urgent[52][55].

The court decides whether an exemption is valid, and it can direct you to attend a MIAM if it is not[26]. See MIAM exemptions, and if you are not safe, domestic abuse support.

11/ If they will not come

Your MIAM certificate if the other parent will not attend

You can still get your confirmation and apply to court if you attend a MIAM and the other parent does not[7][52]. One of the reasons the mediator can tick on the C100 is that the other parent has not attended a MIAM[11].

Practice Direction 3A expects the other parent to attend a MIAM, with you or separately, and you should give the mediator their contact details so they can be invited; if they are unwilling, you should still attend[22]. It does not force them to go: the FMC reports that about a third of potential mediation cases cannot go ahead because the second person chooses not to attend[56].

If the mediator contacts them and they do not reply or say no, the mediator may tell you, if it is safe, but any reason they give stays confidential[57]. If you do not want the other parent contacted, for example for safety reasons, tell the mediator: they should not put pressure on you[57].

If you are the parent who received the court papers

If the other parent has applied to court, the judge will expect you to have attended a MIAM too, unless the same specific circumstances apply[23]. If you later make a C100 application and rely on a MIAM you attended as the respondent in earlier proceedings, the form asks for its date and the mediator's name and contact details[58].

12/ Online

Getting a MIAM certificate online

You can have your MIAM by video: the FMC's standards allow MIAMs in person or by video, and by telephone only when there is no other option[31]. A video MIAM needs extra safeguards, such as confirming you are somewhere private and will not be disturbed[59]. The confirmation is the same: an accredited mediator signs it after the MIAM[37]. See online MIAMs.

13/ Lost or unsigned

If you have lost your MIAM certificate

Because the confirmation is a section of the court form, not a separate document, the fix is to go back to the mediator who ran your MIAM[58][33]. The C100 says you must ask that mediator to complete and sign section 4[11], and the FMC says you can ask for the court form to be signed as long as the MIAM was within the last 4 months[33].

If more than 4 months have passed, you may need a new MIAM instead[4].

14/ Get ready

Before your MIAM: a checklist

Tick things off as you go. Miam can help you work through the last two.

Before your MIAM

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15/ Calculator

Estimate child maintenance

An estimate using the rates the Child Maintenance Service applies to the paying parent's gross weekly income, adjusted for shared care[62][63]. Use the full calculator for other children at home, benefits and more than one family.

Children this maintenance is for
0

Under 52 nights: no shared-care reduction

Enter the paying parent's income to see an estimate.

Estimate only. Beta service. Always check with official government websites. The Child Maintenance Service works out the real figure from HMRC income records. Check yours with the official GOV.UK calculator.

16/ If you are not safe

If you are not safe

Domestic abuse, with evidence in one of the forms the rules list, is one of the situations in which a MIAM exemption can be claimed[24]; the court decides whether it applies[26]. A victim of domestic abuse can also apply for a non-molestation or occupation order[64].

If you tell Miam about abuse, it gives you the support lines and the exemption, and does not save what you said to your record. See domestic abuse support and the numbers below.

17/ How we check

Every figure has a source

Our guides each list the official sources they rely on, such as legislation, the Family Procedure Rules, HMCTS forms, GOV.UK, Cafcass and the Family Mediation Council, with the date we last checked them. We take court fees from the fees order itself, not from secondary pages.

Beta service. Always check with official government websites, and tell us if we have got something wrong.

18/ The MIAM form

Is there a separate MIAM certificate form?

For most people, no: the C100 and Form A each carry their own MIAM sections, so the mediator signs the application form itself[16][14]. The C100's opening pages also ask you to sign that you understand the court cannot process the application without a MIAM or a valid exemption, but returning that page is optional[58].

19/ Form FM1

Form FM1 and the MIAM certificate

Form FM1 is the stand-alone MIAM form[12]. HMCTS says it confirms whether you attended a MIAM or why not, and it goes with an application on Form C1 or C2[65]. You complete section 1, claim any exemption in section 2, and the mediator completes and signs section 3 with their FMC registration number[15]. You do not need it with a C100[12]. More on Form FM1.

20/ Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is a MIAM certificate?

The confirmation an authorised family mediator signs to show you attended a MIAM, which most family court applications must include[1][2]. It is a section of the court form, not a separate document[11].

How long does a MIAM certificate last?

A MIAM counts for an application made within 4 months of it[4]. After that you may need to attend another[4][37].

How do I get a MIAM certificate?

Attend a MIAM with an FMC-accredited mediator, then ask them to complete and sign the MIAM section of your court form[36][11].

How much does a MIAM certificate cost?

Nothing extra. The mediator completing the court confirmation is part of the MIAM, which typically costs £120–£150 per person[3][5]. It is free if either of you qualifies for legal aid[43].

Can I get a MIAM certificate from any mediator?

No. Only FMC-accredited mediators ("FMCA") can sign the court form[36]. Filter the FMC register for mediators qualified to sign court forms[27].

Is there a MIAM exemption certificate?

No. You claim an exemption by ticking the boxes on the court form and sending any evidence it needs; the court decides whether it applies[14][51][26].

Where does the MIAM certificate go on the C100?

In section 4, which the mediator completes and signs[13].

What if the other parent will not go to a MIAM?

If you attend and they do not, you can still apply to court[7]. The mediator can record on the form that the other parent has not attended[11].

What if I lose my MIAM certificate?

Ask the mediator who ran your MIAM to complete the court form again; the FMC says they can sign it as long as the MIAM was within the last 4 months[33][11].

Can I get a MIAM certificate online?

Yes. MIAMs can be held by video, and the accredited mediator signs the confirmation afterwards[31][37].

Do I need a MIAM certificate for a consent order?

Not usually. A MIAM is not required to ask the court to approve an agreement as a consent order[21][18].

What is a mediation information and assessment meeting?

A meeting with an authorised family mediator, usually required before you apply to the family court[8][2]. It typically lasts 45–60 minutes[6].

Do we go to the MIAM together?

No. MIAMs are held separately with each person[30].

Is Miam free?

Yes. Miam is our "AI for Good" project and we do not charge for anything. The MIAM itself is with a mediator, who usually charges for it[66].

Can Miam give me a MIAM certificate?

No. Only an authorised family mediator can conduct a MIAM and sign the confirmation[2]. Miam helps you prepare.

21/ Sources

Sources we checked

  1. FPR Part 3, r3.7
  2. FPR Part 3, r3.1 · GOV.UK — child arrangements/mediation
  3. GOV.UK — mediation
  4. FPR Part 3, r3.8(1)(d)
  5. GOV.UK — mediation · FMC State of Family Mediation 2025 (PDF)
  6. FMC MIAM Standards (Aug 2022) PDF
  7. GOV.UK — mediation · FPR r3.9
  8. legislation.gov.uk — CFA 2014 s10
  9. Family Procedure Rules, Part 3 — Ministry of Justice · Practice Direction 3A — Ministry of Justice
  10. Coronavirus issues: HMCTS and the courts — Family Mediation Council
  11. Form C100 (06.26), section 4 — HMCTS
  12. GOV.UK — Form FM1 · FM1 (04.24) PDF
  13. Form C100 (06.26), PDF — HMCTS
  14. Form A (05.26), PDF — HMCTS · Form A: notice of intention to proceed with a financial order — GOV.UK
  15. Form FM1 (04.24), PDF — HMCTS
  16. GOV.UK — Form C100
  17. Form FM1 (04.24), PDF — HMCTS
  18. Practice Direction 3A — Ministry of Justice
  19. Practice Direction 3A — Ministry of Justice
  20. justice.gov.uk FPR updates · SI 2023/1324
  21. Apply for a court order (Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate) — GOV.UK
  22. Practice Direction 3A — Ministry of Justice
  23. What is a MIAM? — Family Mediation Council
  24. FPR r3.8 · PD3A
  25. Family Procedure Rules 2010, rule 3.8 (as amended) — legislation.gov.uk
  26. FPR Part 3, r3.10
  27. Find your local mediator — Family Mediation Council
  28. What is a MIAM? — Family Mediation Council · What does mediation cost? — Family Mediation Council
  29. Practice Direction 3A — Ministry of Justice
  30. FMC MIAM Standards (Aug 2022) PDF
  31. GOV.UK — Form C100 page · FMC MIAM Standards (Aug 2022) PDF
  32. Family Procedure Rules, Part 3 — Ministry of Justice
  33. What is a MIAM? — Family Mediation Council
  34. What is a MIAM? (first meeting, legal aid, next steps) — Family Mediation Council
  35. Form C100 (06.26), section 4 — HMCTS · Form FM1 (04.24), section 3 — HMCTS
  36. What is a MIAM? — Family Mediation Council
  37. Good Practice Guidance for MIAMs (July 2024): expiry and signing of the court form — Family Mediation Council
  38. Code of Practice for Family Mediators (v1.5, August 2025), section 3 — Family Mediation Council
  39. Why choose an FMC registered mediator? — Family Mediation Council
  40. Standards for MIAMs (August 2022) — Family Mediation Council
  41. Form FM1 (04.24), notes — HMCTS
  42. FPR r3.8(1)(d)
  43. GOV.UK — mediation
  44. GOV.UK — Family Mediation Voucher Scheme · GOV.UK news, May 2026
  45. GOV.UK — mediation · FMC — Mediation vouchers
  46. The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026 (SI 2026/642), Schedule 3 — legislation.gov.uk
  47. The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026 (SI 2026/642), Schedule 3 — legislation.gov.uk
  48. The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026 (SI 2026/642), Schedule 3 — legislation.gov.uk · Money and property when you divorce or separate: if you agree — GOV.UK
  49. The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026 (SI 2026/642), Schedule 3 — legislation.gov.uk
  50. GOV.UK — Get help with court fees
  51. Practice Direction 3A — Ministry of Justice
  52. Apply for a court order: who can apply and MIAMs — GOV.UK
  53. FPR r3.8
  54. Family Procedure Rules 2010, rule 3.8 (as amended) — legislation.gov.uk · Practice Direction 3A — Ministry of Justice
  55. Family Procedure Rules 2010, rule 3.8 — legislation.gov.uk
  56. The State of Family Mediation 2025 — Family Mediation Council
  57. Good Practice Guidance for MIAMs (July 2024): inviting the other person — Family Mediation Council
  58. Form C100 (06.26), sections 2 and 3 — HMCTS
  59. Good Practice Guidance for MIAMs, July 2024 — Family Mediation Council
  60. Find a legal aid adviser or family mediator — GOV.UK
  61. Standards for MIAMs (August 2022) — Family Mediation Council
  62. How child maintenance is worked out — GOV.UK · Child Support Act 1991, Schedule 1 — legislation.gov.uk
  63. Shared care — How child maintenance is worked out, GOV.UK · Child Support Act 1991, Schedule 1 — legislation.gov.uk
  64. Get an injunction if you've been the victim of domestic abuse — GOV.UK · Form FL401 — HMCTS, GOV.UK
  65. Form FM1 publication page — HMCTS, GOV.UK · Form FM1 (04.24), PDF — HMCTS
  66. Form C100 (06.26), guidance page — HMCTS

Miam · AI preparation assistant

Walk into your MIAM ready

Talk or type it through with Miam: what matters most to you, what you can agree on, and what to ask the mediator. Miam prepares you. An authorised mediator runs the MIAM and signs the form.

Prepare with MiamFind a mediator

22/ Safety first