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How to apply for the Child Maintenance Service
Anyone involved can apply for the Child Maintenance Service. This includes:
- a parent with day to day care of the child
- a parent without day to day care of the child
- grandparents with day to day care of the child
- the child’s guardian
- the child, if they are 12 or older
Step parents cannot use the Child Maintenance Service, and need to arrange child maintenance privately or through a court. View more information on your rights as a step parent.
How to apply for the Child Maintenance Service
To apply, you need to use the get help arranging child maintenance service. This service gives you information about your options and what you can do next.
You can use this service for information even if you want to make a private arrangement. This information includes working out the cost of raising your children and planning your child maintenance conversation.
You can also phone the Child Maintenance Service on 0800 171 2345 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm).
Once you have applied, you must report any changes in circumstance to the Child Maintenance Service.
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