CH2: claiming Child Benefit on paper

Who needs it

• Parents or carers responsible for a child who can't claim Child Benefit through HMRC's online service.
• People claiming for more than two children on paper, who add form CH2(CS).
• Parents under 16, who can claim themselves or have someone responsible for them claim on their behalf.

What you need before you start

• Your child's birth or adoption certificate, if you have it. You can claim without one, but it takes longer.
• Your bank or building society details.
• Your National Insurance number, if you have one, and your partner's if you have a partner.
• For a birth registered outside the UK: the original birth or adoption certificate and the child's passport or travel document.

How to file CH2

1. 1Wait until 48 hours after you've registered the birth, or until the child comes to live with you.
2. 2Try HMRC's online claim first. If you can't use it, download the CH2 and the CH2 notes from GOV.UK.
3. 3Complete the CH2, adding CH2(CS) for each child beyond the first two.
4. 4Post it to the Child Benefit Office at the address on the form, with any documents HMRC asks for.
5. 5If you can't claim online or by post, contact HMRC to claim by phone.

Online first, CH2 if you can't

HMRC publishes the CH2 for people who can't claim Child Benefit online. The online service also lets you add another child to an existing claim. If neither route works for you, HMRC takes claims by phone.

The CH2 has room for two children. For more, complete the additional child form CH2(CS) and send it with the CH2. The CH2 notes explain each question.

Who should claim

Whoever claims Child Benefit gets National Insurance credits that count towards the State Pension. That matters most if one parent isn't working or earns little, so think about whose name goes on the claim.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge

If you or your partner has income over £60,000, the higher earner may have to pay some or all of the Child Benefit back through the High Income Child Benefit Charge. You can keep the payments and pay the charge, or opt out of payments.

If you opt out, HMRC says you're still registered for Child Benefit but don't receive the payment, so the National Insurance credits continue. That's the reason to claim even if you expect to pay it all back.

Births registered abroad

If the birth was registered outside the UK, HMRC asks for the original birth or adoption certificate and the child's passport or travel document. They're usually returned within 4 weeks. If you don't have the certificate yet, claim now and send it later.

Common mistakes

• Waiting months to claim. Child Benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months from the date you claim, and no further.
• Not claiming because of the High Income Child Benefit Charge. You can claim and opt out of payments, which keeps the National Insurance credits.
• Holding the claim back for a birth certificate. You can claim without it and send it later if HMRC asks.
• Letting the higher earner claim by default. Whoever claims gets the National Insurance credits towards their State Pension.