MIAM Certificate Cost UK 2026 | Fees & Free Options

The Short Answer

The MIAM certificate itself — the mediator's signed confirmation on your C100 or Form FM1 — is free. It is included in the price of your MIAM. What you pay for is the meeting:

| Item | Cost | Source | |------|------|--------| | MIAM (per person) | Typically £120–£150 | GOV.UK: "usual cost is around £120" · FMC 2025: "most commonly around £150" | | Signed confirmation (FM1 / C100 section) | Included — free | GOV.UK | | MIAM with legal aid | Free | GOV.UK | | Mediation sessions afterwards | £130–£170 per person per hour (guide) | FMC |

Each of you attends — and pays for — your own separate MIAM. Prices vary by mediator, so confirm the fee when booking.

When a MIAM Is Free

Legal aid. You do not have to pay for a MIAM if either you or your ex-partner qualifies for legal aid (GOV.UK). If only one of you is eligible, legal aid covers:

• the MIAM for both of you, and
• the first mediation session for both parents after the MIAM.

Legal aid for mediation is means-tested — check your eligibility on GOV.UK. Some services (for example National Family Mediation) hold legal aid contracts; ask when booking.

The £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme contributes up to £500 towards mediation sessions in disputes about children. Key points, all from GOV.UK and the FMC:

• It is not means-tested — any eligible family can use it.
• It does not cover the MIAM — only the mediation sessions that follow (usually a minimum of 2 sessions).
• One voucher per family/case, applied for by your mediator — no upfront payment for covered sessions.
• Only FMC-authorised mediators can take part.
• Extended until 31 March 2029 (Practice Direction 36V, amended March 2026). The scheme has supported more than 54,000 parents since 2021 (GOV.UK, May 2026).

MIAM Cost vs Court Cost

| Route | Typical costs | |-------|---------------| | MIAM + mediation | £120–£150 MIAM, then £130–£170 pp/hour for sessions (£500 voucher available for children cases) | | Court application (C100) | £270 court fee (in force since 13 July 2026 — GOV.UK), plus any solicitor/barrister fees; contested cases commonly run to thousands of pounds and many months |

Around 69% of voucher-scheme mediations end in whole or partial agreement (FMC, State of Family Mediation 2025). If you must go to court and have a low income, the Help with Fees scheme may reduce or waive the court fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a separate charge for the FM1 or certificate?

No. The mediator's confirmation is part of the MIAM — GOV.UK's guidance treats the meeting fee as the only cost. If a provider quotes a separate "certificate fee", ask them to explain exactly what it covers before paying.

Why do quotes vary between mediators?

Mediators set their own fees. GOV.UK cites around £120 as usual; the FMC's 2025 sector report found around £150 most common. Urban providers and urgent appointments often cost more — always confirm the total price for the MIAM including the signed confirmation.

Do both parents pay?

Each person pays for their own MIAM (unless legal aid applies). MIAMs are held separately, so there are two meetings and two fees.

Can I get the voucher and legal aid together?

Yes, in a sense: vouchers are allocated per case, so you can obtain a voucher even if the other person is entitled to legal aid (FMC guidance).

Sources & Further Reading

• GOV.UK — Making child arrangements: mediation and costs
• GOV.UK — Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
• FMC — What does mediation cost?
• GOV.UK — Court and tribunal fees updates from July 2026
• GOV.UK — Help with court fees

Content fact-checked against GOV.UK, the Family Procedure Rules and the Family Mediation Council: July 2026.