What is parental responsibility?

For parents, step-parents and carers who want to know their legal rights over a child.

Applies to: England, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Parental responsibility means the legal rights and duties you have for a child's upbringing.

It covers things like providing a home, protecting the child, choosing their school and agreeing to medical treatment.
A birth mother has it automatically.
A father married to, or in a civil partnership with, the mother usually has it automatically.
An unmarried father can get it by jointly registering the birth with the mother.
Step-parents do not get it automatically, but can apply.
If the mother will not agree, you can apply for a court order, which costs £270.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Mothers have it automatically
Unmarried fathers: joint birth registration
Step-parents must apply
Court order fee: £270

What parental responsibility is

Parental responsibility is the set of legal rights and duties you have for bringing up a child. If you have it, you can make important decisions about the child's life. It covers:

giving the child a home
protecting and looking after the child
disciplining the child
choosing and providing for their education
agreeing to the child's medical treatment
naming the child and agreeing to any change of name
looking after any property the child owns

Parental responsibility is not the same as paying for a child. A parent must support their child financially whether or not they have parental responsibility.

Who it is for: who has it automatically

Person	Automatic parental responsibility?
Birth mother	Yes
Father married to or in a civil partnership with the mother	Usually yes
Unmarried father	Only if he jointly registers the birth with the mother
Step-parent	No
Surrogate mother	Yes, until parenthood is transferred

Same-sex couples have their own birth registration rules. If you used fertility treatment, you may have signed a consent form at a UK licensed clinic, which can affect your status.

How to get it if you do not have it

There are three main routes.

Agreement with the mother. Sign a parental responsibility agreement. Fathers and second female parents use form CPRA1. Step-parents use form CPRA2. Take it to your local family court to be signed and witnessed. Bring the child's birth certificate and proof of identity. Then send 2 copies to the Principal Registry of the Family Division in London.
Court order. If the mother does not agree, apply to the court using form C1. A court order costs £270. You may get help with the fee if you get certain benefits or are on a low income.
Child arrangements order. If you have separated, a child arrangements order (which sets out who the child lives with or spends time with) can also give you parental responsibility.

Things to know

More than 2 people can have parental responsibility for the same child.
Step-parents do not get it by marrying the child's parent. They need an agreement or a court order.
Free advice is available from Citizens Advice or a family solicitor.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

The GOV.UK guidance and forms above are for England and Wales. Scotland has its own rules, covered by its court process called ordinary cause procedures. If you live in Northern Ireland, these forms do not apply.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for parental responsibility

Common questions

Does an unmarried father have parental responsibility?

Not automatically. He can get it by jointly registering the birth with the mother, by agreement with the mother, or by a court order.

Can more than 2 people have parental responsibility?

Yes. More than 2 people can have parental responsibility for the same child.

Do I have to pay child maintenance without parental responsibility?

Yes. A parent must support their child financially whether or not they have parental responsibility.

Official sources

1.Parental rights and responsibilities (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/parental-rights-responsibilities
2.Who has parental responsibility (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/parental-rights-responsibilities/who-has-parental-responsibility
3.Apply for parental responsibility (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/parental-rights-responsibilities/apply-for-parental-responsibility

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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