WHAT IS FORM FM1 USED FOR?

Form FM1 must be completed and sent alongside form C1 or form C2 if you are making a court application for the following –

• • A parental responsibility order or an order terminating parental responsibility.
  • An order appointing or terminating a child’s guardian.
  • An order giving permission to change a child’s surname or remove a child from the UK.
  • A special guardianship order or an order varying or discharging such an order.

In these cases the court requires you attend mediation first before you send forms C1 and C2 to the court. By ticking the relevant box in part 1 (1a, 1b, or 1c) of your form FM1, you are telling the court that either you are exempt from attending mediation, in which case you must complete part 2, or if you have tried mediation and it has not been successful then part 3 must be completed by your mediator. 

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR CHILD ARRANGEMENTS WITH MEDIATION HELP

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FORM C1

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FORM C2

ARE THERE ANY GOVERNMENT OR OUR OWN L.I.P HELP GUIDES OR WRITE UPS TO HELP YOU COMPLETE FORM FM1?

Pages 12-14 of form FM1 have guidance notes to help you complete form FM1.

The government guides CB1 – ‘family court applications that involve children’ – and CB7 – ‘making child arrangements if you divorce or separate’ – will help you complete form FM1. 

LINK TO GOVERNMENT GUIDE CB1

LINK TO GOVERNMENT GUIDE CB7

WHAT IS THE FEE TO SEND FORM FM1 TO THE COURT AND HOW TO PAY FOR IT?

There is no fee to submit this form to the court.

HOW TO COMPLETE FORM FM1 AND WHERE TO SEND IT.

• NOTE 1 – If you are completing part 2 and 3 of this form and sending it in then you are known as the applicant or petitioner. Your ex-partner is known as the respondent.
• NOTE 2 – You can complete this form online and then print a hard copy. Alternatively you can download it, print it and then complete by black pen. 
• NOTE 3 – You only need to send 1 copy of this form to the court.
• NOTE 4 – Please keep a copy of your form FM1 for yourself outside of the ones you send to the family court.
• NOTE 5 – If you need more space to explain any answers then please use additional sheets of paper. Please write your full name and address at the top of the page. 
• Form FM1 is 14 pages long.
• Form FM1 will ask you to write down your full name (the applicant) and the full name of the other parent (the respondent) on page 1.
• On the next page (at the bottom of the page) you need to tick the relevant box (1a, 1b, or 1c) that applies to you in part 1 of your form FM1. This will tell the court the reason why you are exempt from mediation or that you have attended mediation and it has failed. 
• If you are exempt from mediation please complete part 2 of your form. You will be required to explain the reasons why and attach a copy of the evidence that proves you are exempt from attending mediation. If you cannot attach any evidence you must explain the reasons why in the box provided.
• If you have tried mediation and failed or a mediator says you are exempt then the mediator will need to complete part 3.
• Part 4 on this form will require you to sign a statement of truth.
• As stated above your form FM1 is sent to the court alongside your form C1 or C2. 

WHERE CAN YOU FIND FORM FM1/DOWNLOAD THIS FORM?

Please click on the link below to download form FM1 from the government website. Please complete and send by post (signed for recorded delivery).

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR FORM FM1

WHEN WAS FORM FM1 FIRST PUBLISHED AND LAST UPDATED?

Form FM1 was first published by the government (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) on 01-01-2018 and last updated on 08-10-2024.