The Child Support Agency can normally only deal with an application for child maintenance when both parents and the child live in the UK.
The only exceptions to this are when the non-resident parent:
- Is working abroad in the service of the crown, that is, – is a civil servant or works within Her Majesty's diplomatic service or within Her Majesty's overseas civil service.
- Is a member of the Armed Forces.
- Works abroad for a UK based company, that is, it employs people to work outside the UK but makes payments via a UK payroll; and the company is registered under the companies act 1985 (England, Wales and Scotland) or the companies (Northern Ireland) order 1986.
- Works abroad on secondment for a prescribed body, for example, - from a NHS trust; or regional health authority; or primary care trust; or local authority.
If the non-resident parent lives abroad and does not fall into one of the categories above then the parent with care can apply to the UK courts for child maintenance. If the parent with care needs help in collecting the money awarded under the court order for maintenance they can contact the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders section at the Official Solicitor & Public Trustee. Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders - or REMO - is the process by which maintenance orders made by UK courts on behalf of UK residents can be registered and enforced by the courts or other authorities in other countries.
This is a reciprocal arrangement which means that foreign maintenance orders in favour of individuals abroad can be registered and enforced by UK courts against UK residents.
You can get more information about the rules for applications for child
maintenance when one or more parents live outside the UK from our
National Helpline on 08457 133 133.
(If you are calling from abroad: +44 151 243 1901.)
