Child maintenance can be arranged privately between parents or through the government’s Child Maintenance Service (CMS).
Parents are usually encouraged to try to reach a private agreement first. If this is not possible, they can apply to the Child Maintenance Service to calculate, collect and manage payments.
If a parent wants to use the Child Maintenance Service, they must usually contact the service before applying to establish their options.
A parent can apply to the Child Maintenance Service even if they do not have a National Insurance number, although additional checks will be required.
They should contact Child Maintenance Service to discuss their options and ask for their case to be managed through the Exceptional Case Handling Process. The identity of all parties involved will need to be verified, for example using birth certificates.
Once this has been done, an application can be made to the Child Maintenance Service.
Page updated: 12 June 2026
