C100 Form Cost UK 2026 | Court Fees & Help Available

Working out the true C100 form cost means looking beyond the court fee. This guide covers the £270 application fee, the MIAM you must usually pay for first, optional solicitor costs, and every route to reducing the total — fee remission, legal aid and the £500 mediation voucher.

How Much Does a C100 Form Cost in 2026?

| Cost item | Amount | Required? | |-----------|--------|-----------| | C100 form (download) | Free | — | | C100 court fee | £270 | Yes (unless remission) | | MIAM before applying | Typically £120-£150 per person | Yes (unless exempt) | | C1A form (allegations of harm) | Free (no extra fee) | Only if applicable | | Solicitor (optional) | £1,500-£5,000+ | No | | Barrister for hearings (optional) | £750-£5,000+ per hearing | No |

The £270 C100 court fee covers the application itself, whether you apply for a child arrangements order, prohibited steps order or specific issue order — or all three on the same form. Source: GOV.UK family court fees (EX50).

Help With the C100 Fee (Fee Remission)

You may not have to pay the full £270. The Help with Fees scheme reduces or waives court fees if you:

• Receive certain benefits (for example Universal Credit with low earnings, Income Support, income-based JSA/ESA, Pension Credit)
• Have a low income
• Have limited savings

MIAM Costs Before Your C100

Before the court accepts a C100, you must usually attend a MIAM. Costs:

• Typically £120-£150 per person (GOV.UK says around £120; the FMC reports around £150)
• Free if either of you qualifies for legal aid — legal aid also covers the first mediation session for both of you
• The mediator signing your C100 confirmation is part of the MIAM — there's no separate "certificate fee"

See our full MIAM cost guide and MIAM certificate cost breakdown.

Total Cost Scenarios

| Scenario | Typical total | |----------|---------------| | Legal aid (eligible) | £0 | | Self-representing + Help with Fees | £120-£150 (MIAM only) | | Self-representing, no remission | ~£390-£420 (MIAM + £270 fee) | | With solicitor, uncontested | £2,000-£5,000 | | With solicitor, contested | £10,000-£30,000+ |

Court fees are the small part — legal representation is the real cost driver. Our family court fees guide breaks down the full picture.

When Was the C100 Fee Last Increased?

| Date | C100 fee | |------|----------| | May 2024 | £263 | | 13 July 2026 | £270 (current) |

Fees rose 2.6% in line with inflation under The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026. Court fees usually change each year — always check the EX50 fee list before applying.

How much is a C100 form?

The C100 form is free to download, but submitting it costs £270 in court fees (since 13 July 2026). Fee remission through Help with Fees can reduce this to nothing if you're on benefits or a low income.

What is the C100 court fee in 2026?

£270 since 13 July 2026 (previously £263). The fee is set by the Family Proceedings Fees Order and listed on the official EX50 schedule on GOV.UK.

Do I have to pay for a C100 if I'm on benefits?

Usually not in full. The Help with Fees scheme (form EX160) reduces or waives the £270 fee for people on qualifying benefits or low incomes. Apply at the same time as your C100.

Does the C100 fee include the MIAM?

No. The MIAM is paid separately to the mediator (typically £120-£150 per person, free with legal aid) before you apply. The £270 is the court's fee for processing the application.

Is there a fee to respond to a C100?

No. The respondent does not pay a court fee to respond to a C100 application — only the applicant pays the £270 issue fee.

Sources & Further Reading

• GOV.UK — Family court fees (EX50)
• GOV.UK — Court and tribunal fees: updates from July 2026
• GOV.UK — Get help with court fees
• GOV.UK — Making child arrangements: apply for a court order
• Family Mediation Council — What does mediation cost?

Related guides: C100 application step-by-step · C100 form guide · C100 form download · Family court fees