This briefing was last updated in January 2017.
Child maintenance: fees (UK excluding NI) (134 KB , PDF)
Up-to-date information can now been found in the Library Briefing CBP 7774: Child Maintenance: Fees, enforcement and arrears
Fees are payable in respect of application, collection (if using “Collect and Pay”) and enforcement under the current statutory child maintenance scheme administered by the CMS. This note sets out information on the fees and the policy background.
Since 2014, for child support cases dealt with by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), fees have been charged for applications, collection services (where the “Collect and Pay” service is used) and enforcement. For legacy cases that are dealt with by the Child Support Agency (CSA), there are no fees.
This note sets out the levels of fees, and also notes that any person aged 18 or under or a victim of domestic violence or abuse is exempt from the application fee.
It also provides policy background and the total amount of receipts paid to the CMS to March 2016.
Child maintenance: fees (UK excluding NI) (134 KB , PDF)
A Westminster Hall debate on government support for children in adoptive and kinship placements is scheduled for Tuesday 20 May 2025 at 2:30pm. The debate will be led by Rebecca Smith MP.
A Westminster Hall debate on returning forcibly deported children to Ukraine is scheduled for Wednesday 21 May 2025, from 2.30pm to 4.00pm. The debate will be led by Johanna Baxter MP.
An overview of youth services; the statutory duties and policy in different parts of the UK as well as a summary of some of research into the impacts of youth work.
