Scotland - How to Become a Childs Guardian

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. Before applying to become a child's guardian, ensure that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria. Typically, guardianship is granted to individuals who have a close relationship with the child, such as a family member or close friend.
2. Consult with a family law solicitor who specializes in guardianship matters. They can provide guidance specific to the applicant’s situation, explain the legal requirements, and assist the applicant throughout the process.
3. The applicant can use the following website to apply for a solicitor link
4. The applicant has to fill in all the necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete applications are not accepted)
5. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
6. The applicant has to attach photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting it.
7. The applicant must pay the required fee as instructed by the authority.
8. Once the applicant has consulted with a solicitor and gathered the necessary documents, they must submit the application to the court for guardianship. The application will outline the relationship of the applicant to the child, suitability as a guardian, and plans for the child's welfare and upbringing.
9. After applying, the applicant may be required to attend court hearings. The court will review the application and consider the best interests of the child before deciding on the guardianship order.
10. If the court approves the application, the applicant will be appointed as the child's guardian. This will grant the applicant legal authority and responsibility for the child's welfare and decision-making.
11. The processing time taken for this application can vary depending on the circumstances and conditions of the court.

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Required Documents

• Completed Application Form
• Supporting Documents
• Birth Certificate
• Proof of Address
• Identification documents (such as a passport or driver's license)
• Consent Forms
• Relevant Court Orders
• Application Fee
• Any other documents (If required)

Office Locations & Contacts

UNITED KINGDOM LOCAL COUNCIL
Westminster
Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street,
London, SW1E 6QP
For assistance 0300 123 1837
Contact Details link
Local council Office link
Note: The applicant has to enter their Postcode to find nearby offices. If the applicant doesn’t know their postcode use the following link to find their postcode link

Eligibility

• Any person who wants to become a guardian of a child is eligible to apply.

Fees

• The applicant must pay the required fee as instructed by the authority.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• The processing time to become a guardian for a child in Scotland can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of the case, the workload of the court, and the availability of necessary documentation.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Applicants must complete the application form before submitting it. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applicants must provide genuine information while applying for this procedure.

Required Information

• Applicant’s name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Contact details.
• Relationship to the Child
• Name of the child
• Date of birth
• Consent Forms
• Supporting Documents
• References
• Medical Reports or Assessments
• Any other information (If required)

Need for the Document

If a child can't live with their parents for any reason, they might live with extended friends, family or another trusted adult. This document acts as a proof or a legal paper to prove that the applicant is the guardian for a child. This gives rights for the applicant to become a guardian for the child, to take care and nurture.

Information which might help

For more information link

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g., Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Link

Others

There are 2 ways to can become a child's guardian:

• The applicant can be made a child's guardian in a will (or another written document signed by the parent) if a parent dies
• The applicant can ask a court to appoint him/her as a guardian

If asked to become a guardian in a will (or another written document signed by the parent), and another parent or guardian of a child is still alive, their rights don't change. This means it's up to all parents and guardians to agree what's best for a child.