Residence order

A residence order is a court order that says who a child is to live with. It gives parental responsibility to the adult named in the order (if they do not already have it). It does not remove parental responsibility from the other people who hold it. Parental responsibility will be shared equally between the child’s parents, and the person who holds a residence order.

A residence order is a private law order. An order lasts until the child reaches age 18, although the court can direct that it should end earlier.

Residence orders (and contact orders, which are say who a child can see) were replaced by child arrangements orders on 22 April 2014. Residence orders made before that date do remain in force.