Comprehensive Parental Responsibility Order Factsheet

What is Parental Responsibility?

• Legal responsibilities and rights of a parent
• Entitles you to be involved in decisions about the child
• Includes decisions on education, medical treatment, and religious upbringing
• Allows you to consent to medical treatment
• Enables you to apply for a passport for the child
• Gives you the right to look after the child’s property
• Strengthens your position if local authority seeks a care order

Who has Parental Responsibility?

• Birth mothers automatically
• Married fathers automatically
• Unmarried fathers if:
  • Named on birth certificate (after 1 Dec 2003)
  • Get a parental responsibility agreement or order
• Second female parents if:
  • In civil partnership/married at child’s birth
  • Named on birth certificate (after 6 Apr 2009)
• Step-parents through agreement or court order

How to Get Parental Responsibility

1. Re-register birth (unmarried fathers)
2. Parental Responsibility Agreement:
   • Use form C(PRA1) for fathers
   • Use form C(PRA2) for step-parents
   • Use form C(PRA3) for second female parents
3. Court Order:
   • Apply using C1 form
   • Attend MIAM (if required)
   • Court fee: £270 (as of July 2026)
   • Fee help available for low income
   • Court considers child’s welfare
4. Marry the child’s mother
5. Become appointed as the child’s guardian

Court Process

1. First Hearing (FHDRA):
   • Meet judge/magistrates and Cafcass officer
   • Attempt to reach agreement
2. Cafcass may prepare a report
3. Dispute Resolution Appointment:
   • Further attempt to reach agreement
   • Court may make final decision
4. Final hearing (if needed):
   • Court hears evidence
   • Makes final decision

Court considers:

• Commitment shown to child
• Closeness of relationship
• Reasons for applying
• Child’s best interests (paramount consideration)

Mediation Information Assessment Meeting

• Required before court application (with exceptions)
• Explores alternatives to court
• Assesses suitability of mediation
• Typically lasts 40-45 minutes
• Mediator explains process and benefits
• Assesses eligibility for legal aid
• Completes part of FM1 form if proceeding to court

Exemptions include:

• Urgent applications
• Domestic abuse concerns
• Child protection issues

Responding to an Application

If you receive an application, you are a ‘respondent’:

• Read all documents carefully
• You should receive:
  • Notice of proceedings (Form C6 or C6A)
  • Application form (C1)
  • Acknowledgement form (C7)
• Fill in and return Form C7 within 14 days
• Can object to the application on Form C7
• If allegations of harm, may receive Form C1A
• Consider seeking legal advice
• Attend court hearings as required