Become a special guardian

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Apply

You can use a to help make arrangements with the child鈥檚 family to avoid having to apply to the court.

It costs 拢255 to apply to the court. You may be able to get help with court fees if you鈥檙e on benefits or a low income.

Before you apply

Three months before you apply to become a special guardian you need to tell your local council in writing that you plan to make an application.

You also need to tell anyone named in existing court proceedings or orders about the child that you plan to make an application.

Applying to the court

Fill in these forms and send them to your local family court:

Make copies of your completed forms before you send your application to the court. You鈥檒l need to send these copies to each person affected by the application after you apply.

Find your .

If you want to keep your details private

You can apply to keep your and the child鈥檚 contact details private throughout the court proceedings.

Fill in 鈥楢pply to keep your contact details confidential from other parties in family proceedings鈥� (form C8) and send it with your application.