C63 form: ask the court to declare who a person's parent is
Form C63 is the application for a declaration of parentage under section 55A of the Family Law Act 1986: a court decision on whether a named person is, or was, the parent of another named person.
Fill in the C63 form with Wren
How Wren helps with the C63
Official forms are written for lawyers. With Wren you do not have to decode this one on your own, and you still follow the court’s procedure.
- Plain questions, one at a timeEach part of the C63 becomes short questions in everyday words. Answer at your own pace and come back to it.
- Help beside each questionWhat the question is asking and what the official guidance says about it, in plain English.
- The official form, filled inYour answers go into the official C63. You check it, sign it and send it yourself. Nothing goes to the court for you.
- What comes next, kept with your caseWhat usually happens after you send it, with the dates worked out from the published rules.
Time and money
- On your own
- A day or more
- With Wren
- About an hour for most forms
- Solicitor for this form
- £740 to £1,2403 to 5 hours
A solicitor’s time for the C63 can run to £1,240. With Wren it is part of £19.99 a month, and it takes about an hour for most forms rather than a day or more.
Times and hours are Wren’s estimates for a typical case, not quotes. Solicitor costs are those hours at £247 an hour, the courts’ guideline rate for a solicitor with over four years’ experience, outside London (GOV.UK, Solicitors' guideline hourly rates (in effect from 1 January 2026)). The guideline runs from £200 to £295 an hour outside London depending on experience, firms set their own rates, and VAT is added on top.
Key facts
- Official title
- Apply for a declaration about whether a named person is the parent of another named person: Form C63
- Edition
- 06.26 (14 pages, including guidance notes)Source: official page (external source, opens in a new tab)
- The law
- Family Law Act 1986, section 55A (declarations of parentage)Source: official page (external source, opens in a new tab)
- Birth certificate
- Send a copy of the birth certificate of the person whose parentage is in question, unless the court has directed otherwiseSource: official page (external source, opens in a new tab)
- Confidential contact details
- Leave contact details you want kept from the other people in the case blank and use form C8Source: official page (external source, opens in a new tab)
- Copies
- A copy of the application and attached documents for each respondentSource: official page (external source, opens in a new tab)
Who uses the C63
The person whose parentage is in question, an acknowledged or alleged parent, or someone else with a sufficient interest. The form also covers an application about child maintenance brought by the Secretary of State or the person with care.
When it is used
When the question of who a person's parent is needs a court declaration. The respondents are the person whose parentage is in question and anyone who is, or is alleged to be, their mother, father or second female parent.
Before you start
- The birth certificate of the person whose parentage is in question.
- Names, dates of birth and, if known, addresses of each respondent.
- Your addresses for the last 5 years.
- Details and copies of any other court cases about the person's parentage.
- Form C8, if any contact details must be kept confidential.
How to fill in the C63
Open each part for what it asks and how to answer it. In Wren, each part is a few plain questions, and your answers fill in the form.
About you
Your names, date and place of birth, contact details and addresses for the last 5 years, and your interest in the case if you are not the person or a parent. A second applicant can be added.
The respondents
Up to two respondents on the form, each with their names, any previous names, date and place of birth, contact details if known, and their relationship to the children. More go on a separate sheet.
Other people
Anyone else acknowledged to be a parent of the person whose parentage is in question.
Why you are applying
A summary of the facts you rely on. The form says not to give a full statement; you may be asked for one later.
Other cases, jurisdiction and nationality
Any other court cases, the connection with England and Wales (domicile or habitual residence), and nationality, citizenship or immigration status and the effect a declaration would have on it.
Statement of truth and attending court
You sign the statement of truth on paper and say whether anyone needs an interpreter or special arrangements at court.
Prepare your C63 with Wren Family
Wren Family turns official forms into short, plain-English questions you can answer at your own pace. You check everything before you send it: nothing goes to the court for you.
Get startedFree for 14 days, no card. Then £19.99 a month, with your money back within 14 days if it’s not right.
What happens after you send it
The court issues the application and it is served on each respondent. Court staff can help with procedure but cannot give legal advice.
Common mistakes
- Putting contact details on the form that should be kept confidential. Use form C8 instead.
- Writing a full statement in the reasons box. The form asks for a summary.
- Not sending enough copies for each respondent.
- Leaving out the birth certificate of the person whose parentage is in question.
Common questions
Is there a fee?
Yes. The form says to check leaflet EX50 for the fee, and that you may be able to get help with fees.
Does a child need a litigation friend?
The guidance notes say an applicant under 18 (unless the court permits otherwise) or a person who lacks capacity must have a litigation friend.
Where these facts come from
These are the official rules and pages this page is based on. They are listed so you can check a detail for yourself; you do not need them to use Wren. They are outside Wren and open in a new tab.