Fill CH2 online
Child Benefit claim form (CH2)
or choose your own copy:
- ✓ Official current version
- ✓ Free download, no account
- ✓ No card, no trial
- ✓ Never uploaded
CH2 in short
Form CH2 is the paper claim form for Child Benefit, for people who cannot claim online. Claiming also gives National Insurance credits towards your State Pension while your child is under 12, and helps your child get a National Insurance number. Most people can claim online or through the HMRC app instead.
| Issued by | HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) |
|---|---|
| Current version | CH2 HMRC 04/26 (checked 2026-10-25) |
| Who fills it in | A person responsible for bringing up a child under 16, or under 20 in approved education or training, who lives in the UK and cannot claim online. Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child. |
| Who receives it | HMRC Child Benefit Office. |
| Where to send it | Child Benefit Office (GB), Washington, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE88 1ZD, unless you have a pre-addressed envelope. A stamp is needed. |
| Deadline | No fixed deadline, but Child Benefit can only be backdated up to 3 months. You can claim 48 hours after registering the birth, or once a child comes to live with you. |
| Official links | Official page · Official PDF · Official instructions |
What changed
The April 2026 form says that from summer 2025 the High Income Child Benefit Charge can be paid through your PAYE tax code. The charge applies when an individual's adjusted net income is over £60,000.
How to fill out CH2, line by line
| Section 1, questions 1 to 23 | About you Your National Insurance number, name, date of birth, address, phone number, nationality, any earlier Child Benefit claims, where you have lived, immigration and employment status, and marital or civil partnership status. |
| Section 2, questions 24 to 33 | About your partner Fill in if you are married, in a civil partnership or living with a partner. Give their name, date of birth, National Insurance number, nationality and employment status. |
| Section 3, questions 34 and 35 | Children you want to claim for Say how many children are on this form and how many original documents you are sending. |
| Section 3, questions 36 to 61 | Child 1 and Child 2 Each child's full name, sex, date of birth and birth registration details. For births registered in England or Wales give the 9-digit system number from the birth certificate; for Scotland give the district number, year and entry number. |
| Section 4, question 62 | Higher income earners Answer only if you or your partner have individual adjusted net income over £60,000. You can choose not to be paid and still protect your State Pension. |
| Section 5, questions 63 and 64 | How you want to be paid Child Benefit is normally paid every 4 weeks. Weekly payment is possible for single parents or if you or your partner get certain benefits listed on the form. |
| Section 6, questions 65 to 71 | Bank details Account holder, bank or building society name, sort code, account number and any building society roll number. |
| Page 8 | Declaration Tick the boxes that apply, then sign and date the form. |
| Page 9 | CH3 address label Fill in your name and address if you want documents returned to you. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for documents before claiming. Child Benefit can only be backdated up to 3 months.
- Sending a birth certificate when the birth was registered in England, Wales or Scotland. The form says not to.
- Sending photocopies instead of original documents where documents are needed.
- Not registering a newborn's birth before sending the claim, which can delay a decision.
- Not claiming at all because of the High Income Child Benefit Charge. You can claim and opt out of payments to keep National Insurance credits.
- Claiming for more than 2 children without the additional child form CH2(CS).
- Forgetting to sign and date the declaration on page 8.
Questions about CH2
Can I claim Child Benefit online instead?
Yes. HMRC says you can claim online at www.gov.uk/claim-child-benefit or through the HMRC app, and the first payment could arrive in as little as 3 days. The CH2 is for people who cannot claim online.
How far back can Child Benefit be paid?
Up to 3 months from the date you make the claim.
Should I claim if I earn over £60,000?
You should still fill in the form. You can choose not to be paid at question 62 and still get National Insurance credits. If you are paid, the higher earner may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
What documents do I need to send?
A birth certificate only if the birth was registered in Northern Ireland or outside the UK, passports or travel documents for children born outside the UK, and an adoption certificate for adoptions completed abroad.
How much is Child Benefit?
gov.uk lists £27.05 a week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child.
How do I claim for more than 2 children on paper?
Fill in the additional child form CH2(CS) and send it with your CH2.
Related forms
Tools for this form
Sources
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-25. PDF Editor Hub is not affiliated with the HM Revenue and Customs or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claim-child-benefit-if-you-cannot-claim-online
- https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit
- https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/how-to-claim
- https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/what-youll-get
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69aea4fec78869bf8eb8a527/CH2_online_form.pdf
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69aeb563bde9c3f213c899ca/CH2_Notes.pdf