C8 Confidential Contact Details Form

Understanding the C8 Confidential Contact Details Form

*(A simple guide for anyone representing themselves in UK family court)*

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When you might need to use the C8 form

• You are afraid of domestic abuse or harassment and you do not want the other party (or anyone else) to know your home address, phone number, email, or other personal contact details.
• You need to keep your address secret for safety reasons – for example, if you have moved to a refuge, are staying with friends/family, or have a new address that you do not want disclosed in court papers.
• The form is used in any family‑law case (divorce, child arrangements, financial orders, non‑molestation orders, etc.) where the court requires you to give contact details but you have a genuine fear that revealing them could put you or your children at risk.

What information the C8 form protects

The C8 lets you tell the court your actual contact details while keeping them hidden from the other party and from the public court file. You will provide:

• Your full name (as it appears on other court documents)
• Your real address, telephone number, email address, and any other way the court can reach you
• Any alternative address you wish to use for service (e.g., a solicitor’s office, a trusted friend’s address, or a refuge) – this is the address that will appear on the court documents served on the other side

The court keeps the real details confidential and only uses them internally (for example, to send you notices or to contact you if needed). The alternative address you give is what appears on the paperwork that goes to the other party.

How the court handles the C8 form

1. You file the C8 together with the main application or response form (e.g., Form C100 for child arrangements, Form D8 for divorce).

2. The court clerk places your real contact details in a sealed, confidential section of the file. Only judges, court staff, and, if necessary, CAFCASS or a solicitor acting for you can see them.

3. The public copy of the case file (which the other party can inspect) shows only the alternative address you supplied.

4. If the court needs to contact you directly (e.g., to schedule a hearing), it will use the confidential details you gave on the C8.

5. The information stays confidential unless the court orders otherwise (which is rare and would only happen if there is a compelling reason to disclose it for the safety of someone else or the interests of justice).

When you might complete the C8 alongside other forms

• At the start of a case – when you first file an application (e.g., C100 for child arrangements, D8 for divorce, FL401 for a non‑molestation order).
• When you file a response – if you are replying to the other party’s application and you need to keep your address secret.
• If you change address during the proceedings – you can submit a new C8 to update the court’s confidential details while keeping the alternative address the same (or updating it as needed).
• Alongside any form that asks for your address – the court’s guidance will tell you whether a C8 is required; if you are unsure, it is safe to attach one when you fear disclosure could put you at risk.

Practical tips for filling out the C8

• Write clearly – use block letters or type the information if you can.
• Double‑check that the alternative address you give is one where you can reliably receive mail (the court will send hearing notices there).
• Keep a copy for your own records.
• If you are staying at a refuge or with a friend, you may ask them beforehand if they are happy to receive court mail on your behalf.
• If you have a solicitor, they can often act as the “service address” (their office address) on the C8, while the court still holds your real details confidentially.

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Remember: This explanation is meant to help you understand the process and the forms involved. It is not legal advice tailored to your personal circumstances. If you are unsure about anything – especially if you are dealing with domestic abuse, safety concerns, or complex family‑law issues – please seek advice from a solicitor, a Citizens Advice bureau, or a local legal aid service. Your safety and wellbeing are the most important things. Stay safe, and take one step at a time.