WHAT IS FORM C52 USED FOR?

Before we discuss form C52 we would like to explain 2 terms we use throughout this write up.

1. SURROGATE PARENT(S) – The surrogate parent(s) are the birth parent(s) of the child. The birth parents are the following individuals:
   1. The birth mother is the woman who is the surrogate and carries the baby.
   2. The birth father is the husband or civil partner of the birth mother whether he is the genetic father of the child or not. However, if this individual has not consented to her being a surrogate then he will not be considered the birth father. For further detail please read page 10 of form C51.
   3. The second female parent is either married to the birth mother or is in a civil partnership with her. However, if this individual has not consented to her being a surrogate then she will not be considered the second female parent. For further detail please read page 10 of form C51.there is one. 
2. INTENDED PARENT(S) – The intended parent(s) is the individual or couple who intend to apply for a parental order once the child is born. The intended parents sometimes are the genetic parents of the child.

Form C51 is the form used by the intended parent(s) to make an application for a parental court order giving them parental responsibility and all legal parental rights for a child they have had through surrogacy. The intended parent(s) are also known as the applicant in the court process.

Once the court receives and processes form C51 they will send the intended parents a form C52. This is called the acknowledgement form. The intended parents must complete page 1 of this form and send/serve it to every respondent in this case along with a copy of their completed C51 form. The respondents are the surrogate birth parent(s), the local authority and anybody else with parental responsibility or involved in the case. This C52 acknowledgement form is also available online to download if you need another copy. 

Once a respondent receives form C52 they must complete pages 2 and 3 and return a copy to the intended parents, to the court and to anybody else who is a respondent within 7 days of receiving form C52. 

The words ‘to serve the respondent‘ means they must receive the relevant divorce applications/court papers that require them to be informed, respond, comply with directions or attend court.

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FORM C51

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR GESTATIONAL OR TRADITIONAL SURROGACY

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL GESTATIONAL SURROGACY

ARE THERE ANY GOVERNMENT OR OUR OWN L.I.P HELP GUIDES OR WRITE UPS TO HELP YOU COMPLETE FORM C51?

There are no government guides available at present to help you complete this form.

You can read our webpage for gestational or traditional surrogacy and international gestational child surrogacy for complete background information regarding surrogacy.

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR GESTATIONAL OR TRADITIONAL SURROGACY 

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL GESTATIONAL CHILD SURROGACY

WHAT IS THE FEE TO SEND FORM C51 TO THE COURT AND HOW TO PAY FOR IT?

The intended parents (also known as the applicant) – There is no fee to send form C52 to the surrogate birth parent(s), to the your local authority and anybody else with parental responsibility or is involved in this case.  

The respondent – There is no fee for the respondent (the surrogate birth parent(s), the local authority, anybody else with parental responsibility) to complete pages 2 and 3 on form C52 and return a copy to the applicant, the court or any other respondent.

HOW TO COMPLETE FORM C52 AND WHERE TO SEND IT

• • NOTE 1 – If you are completing page 1 on form C52 and sending form C52 to the respondents (including the surrogate birth parent(s)) then you are known as the applicant. You are also known as the intended parents.You must send a separate C52 form to each respondent.
  • NOTE 2 – If you are completing page 2 and 3 on form C52 and returning a copy to the court and the applicant then you are known as the respondent. The respondent is everybody who needs to be notified of your form C1 application for a parental order. The respondents are the surrogate birth parents and all individuals with parental responsibility and anyone involved or affected by this application including the local authority and Cafcass.
  • NOTE 3 – The intended parents (the applicant) will receive a copy of form C52 from the court. However it is also available online. You can complete form C52 online, then print a hard copy and sign and date it. Alternatively you can download it, print it and then complete it by black pen; 
  • NOTE 4 – If you find there is not enough space to complete your answers on your form C52 then please use additional sheets of paper to continue and attach them to your supplementary form. Please write your name, address, and question number on the top of your additional sheets of paper. 
  • NOTE 5 – Please keep a copy of your form C52 and any attachments for yourself outside of the ones you send.
  • Form C52 is 3 pages long.
• Page 1 should be completed by the intended parents who are also known as the applicant.
• On page 1 they must write the name of the court and the case number on the top right hand corner of page 1 if the court has not done so.
• Next they will be asked to write the full name and address of the respondent in the box provided. 
• They will then be asked to write the birth name of the child in the box provided.
• At the bottom of page 1 they will now be asked to write the name and address of the court where this case is being heard and dealt with.
• NOW THE INTENDED PARENTS (ALSO KNOWN AS THE APPLICANT) MUST SERVE EVERY RESPONDENT IN THIS CASE WITH A SEPARATE FORM C52 AND A COPY OF THE C51 APPLICATION FORM.
• Once a respondent receives form C52 they will need to complete pages 2 and 3. 
• On Page 2 the respondent must write the case number on the top right hand corner.
• They must then write their name in the first box, their address in the box underneath and the date when they received this form C52 in the box underneath that. If the respondent does not wish their address to be made available then they must not write their address on form C52. They must instead write their contact details on form C8 and send it alongside form C52 to the court. You will only need to send 1 copy of form C8 to the court. 

LINK TO OUR L.IP HELP GUIDE FOR FORM C8

• The respondent will next be asked if they have given their consent to the court for granting a parental order. They must tick the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ box.
• They will then be asked if they wish to oppose the form C51 application for a parental order. If this is the case then they must give their reasons in the box provided.
• They will then be asked if they would like to give evidence about whether a parental order should be granted or not. If this is the case then they must give details in the box provided.
• On page 3 the respondent will be asked for their solicitor details if they have one. 
• Finally the respondent will be asked to date and sign the form.
• The respondent must return form C52 to the court, the applicant and anybody else who is relevant within 7 days of receiving the form.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND FORM C52/DOWNLOAD THIS FORM?

Please click on the link below to access form C52 from the government website. 

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR FORM C52

WHEN WAS FORM C52 FIRST PUBLISHED AND LAST UPDATED?

Form C52 was first published by the government (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) on 01-01-2016 and it was last updated on 11-02-2021