Last updated: July 2026
by Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy at Mediate UK. Reviewed by Belinda Atkins, Managing Director, Family Legal Ltd, in line with our editorial standards.
Need a mediation certificate for court?
Book a MIAM online with accredited family mediators and get your MIAM certificate for a C100 or Form A. Standard MIAM appointments from £115 + VAT. Same-day urgent MIAMs available across England and Wales.
MIAM Certificate
A MIAM certificate is the official document a family mediator issues after you attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, confirming to the family court that you have considered mediation before applying. You need one before submitting a C100 or Form A, unless an exemption applies, and it is valid for 4 months from the date it is signed.
Quick Answers About Your Mediation Certificate
How much does a MIAM certificate cost?
The MIAM appointment is £115 + VAT (standard) or £185 + VAT (urgent). The certificate itself is a separate £55 + VAT on a standard MIAM, and is included with an urgent MIAM.
How long is it valid?
A MIAM certificate is valid for 4 months from the date it is signed. After that you would need a new one.
Do I need one for a C100 or Form A?
Yes, in most cases. You must attend a MIAM and hold a valid certificate before submitting either form, unless a MIAM exemption applies.
Can I get my certificate online?
Yes. We offer online MIAM appointments by video, so you can get your mediation certificate from home at a time that suits you.
What if the other party refuses?
You still attend your own MIAM. If they decline, your certificate is still issued so you can proceed with your court application.
What Is a Mediation Certificate?
A mediation certificate, more formally called a MIAM certificate, is the official document issued by a family mediator after you have attended a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). It confirms to the family court that you have met your legal obligation to consider mediation before making a court application.
The requirement to attend a MIAM before applying to court was introduced under Section 10(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014 and is set out in Part 3 of the Family Procedure Rules. The rules were strengthened in April 2024, placing greater emphasis on non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) and tightening the requirements around exemptions. Every family mediator must also follow the FMC MIAM Standards (August 2022) when carrying out your MIAM and issuing your certificate.
Your MIAM certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of your meeting or your last mediation session. If you do not proceed to court within that time, you will need a new one.
Who Needs a MIAM Certificate?
Most people making a family court application in England and Wales will need a MIAM certificate. This includes anyone applying for:
- A child arrangements order (where children live, when they spend time with each parent)
- A specific issue order or prohibited steps order
- A financial remedy order using Form A
- Other private family law orders under the Children Act 1989 or Matrimonial Causes Act 1973
The MIAM itself is not mediation. It is a short, individual meeting, usually around 45 to 60 minutes, with a qualified family mediator, and both people attend their own separate MIAM. Its purpose is to make sure you understand how mediation works and whether it could help you resolve your dispute without going to court. You can read the full detail in our guide to attending a MIAM.
Ready to get your MIAM certificate?
Standard MIAM from £115 + VAT, urgent same-day MIAM £185 + VAT, online appointments available.
How to Get a MIAM Certificate
Getting your mediation certificate is a straightforward process. Here is how it works with Mediate UK:
01
Book your MIAM
Choose a standard or urgent appointment online or by phone. In-person and video options available.
02
Attend your MIAM
Meet individually with an FMC-accredited mediator for around 45 to 60 minutes. Your options are explained and your case assessed.
03
Receive your certificate
Once your MIAM is complete, your mediator issues your MIAM certificate. Valid for 4 months.
04
Submit to court
Attach your mediation certificate to your C100 or Form A application and submit to the family court.
Under Practice Direction 3A, a MIAM should be held within 15 business days of contacting the mediator. With Mediate UK, standard appointments are usually available well within this timeframe, and urgent same-day MIAMs are available where you need your certificate quickly.
How Much Does a MIAM Certificate Cost?
There are two separate costs to understand: the MIAM appointment itself, and the MIAM certificate the mediator issues afterwards. On a standard MIAM the certificate is a separate charge of £55 + VAT (£66 including VAT). On an urgent MIAM, the certificate is already included in the price. If you qualify for legal aid, both your MIAM and your certificate are covered in full.
The cost varies between mediation services. At Mediate UK, our pricing is clear and straightforward:
Standard MIAM
£115 + VAT
(£138 including VAT)
Appointments typically within a few days. Online or in-person.
MIAM certificate: £55 + VAT extra
Urgent Same-Day MIAM
£185 + VAT
(£222 including VAT)
Same-day certificate when you need your mediation certificate fast.
MIAM certificate included
Is a MIAM Certificate Available Through Legal Aid?
Legal aid for family mediation is means-tested. If you qualify, the cost of your MIAM and your mediation sessions is covered in full, so you would not pay for them yourself. You can check whether you are eligible using our legal aid eligibility check.
The government’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme provides up to £500 per family towards mediation costs for eligible cases involving child arrangements. The voucher does not cover the MIAM itself, only the joint mediation sessions that follow. It is not means-tested, and your mediator applies it on your behalf.
MIAM Certificate for C100 Applications
If you are applying to the family court about child arrangements, you will almost certainly need a MIAM certificate before you can submit your C100 form. The C100 is used to apply for child arrangements orders, specific issue orders and prohibited steps orders. There is a full guide to completing it in our C100 guide.
On the C100 form you will need to confirm either that you have attended a MIAM and hold a valid certificate, or that a MIAM exemption applies. If you are submitting a certificate, your mediator will have completed the relevant section of the form as part of your MIAM.
The court fee for a C100 application is £270 as of July 2026. This is separate from the cost of your MIAM certificate.
MIAM Certificate for Form A Financial Applications
If you are applying for a financial remedy order because you cannot agree a financial settlement, you will need to attend a MIAM and hold a mediation certificate before you can submit Form A. Form A starts financial remedy proceedings covering the division of property, savings, pensions and other assets on divorce or dissolution.
Before submitting Form A, you must provide either evidence of MIAM attendance or a valid MIAM exemption. If mediation is not suitable, the mediator will sign the relevant section of your Form A so you can proceed with your court application.
The court fee for filing Form A is £321 as of July 2026, payable to HMCTS.
“Many people come to their MIAM feeling nervous or unsure about what to expect. But it is a chance to talk things through in a safe, confidential setting. We often see people leave feeling much more positive about their options, even if they did not think mediation would work for them.”
Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy, Mediate UK
Learn more in our guide to whether you need a MIAM before Form A.
Do I Need a MIAM Certificate for an Agreement by Consent?
No. If you and the other party have already reached an agreement and are filing for a financial consent order, or a C100 for a child arrangements order by consent, you do not need a MIAM certificate. See section 2 of the relevant form for further detail.
If you are in any doubt, you can always book a MIAM, or request a mediation certificate if you have already attended a MIAM or completed mediation within the previous 4 months, as your certificate will still be valid during that period.
Can I Get a MIAM Certificate Online?
Yes. Mediate UK offers online MIAM appointments by video call, so you can attend from home, work or anywhere convenient. Online MIAMs carry exactly the same legal standing as in-person appointments, and your mediation certificate is fully valid for court use. Our online MIAMs are the same price as in-person appointments: £115 + VAT for a standard MIAM, or £185 + VAT for an urgent same-day booking.
When You Do Not Need a Mediation Certificate
There are 15 MIAM exemptions set out in the Family Procedure Rules (Rule 3.8 and Practice Direction 3A, updated in April 2024) under which you may be able to apply to court without first attending a MIAM. They fall into a few broad groups, including evidence of domestic abuse, urgency such as a risk to a child’s safety, child protection concerns, a previous MIAM in the last 4 months, and cases where the other party cannot be contacted or is in prison.
Claiming an exemption that does not apply can lead to your application being returned by the court, so it is worth getting advice first. Read our full guide to all 15 MIAM exemptions for the detail.
Court Forms: FM1, C100 and Form A
When you attend your MIAM, your mediator completes the relevant court form to confirm your attendance or certify that an exemption applies.
FM1
Your mediator completes the FM1 to confirm MIAM attendance or to certify an exemption. It is submitted alongside your court application.
C100 Form
Used to apply for child arrangements, specific issue or prohibited steps orders. You will need your MIAM certificate or a valid exemption. Court fee £270 as of July 2026.
Form A
Used to apply for a financial remedy order on divorce. MIAM attendance or a valid exemption is required before submission. Court fee £321 as of July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About MIAM Certificates
How long is a MIAM certificate valid for?
Your MIAM certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of your meeting or your last mediation session. If you do not submit your court application within that period, you will need to attend a new MIAM and obtain a fresh certificate.
Do both parties need a MIAM certificate?
If you are the applicant making the court application, you need a MIAM certificate or a valid exemption. The other party does not need their own certificate for you to proceed. Your mediator will, however, invite them to attend their own MIAM before any joint mediation can begin. Under the FMC MIAM Standards, we will usually invite the other party to a MIAM even if you do not wish to mediate, so they can also understand other dispute resolution options.
What if the other party refuses to attend a MIAM?
You still attend your own MIAM. Your mediator will contact the other party and invite them to a separate appointment. Mediate UK makes three approaches. If they decline, your mediator notes this on the paperwork and you still receive your certificate. A refusal to engage with mediation without good reason can also be taken into account by the court when considering costs.
Is attending a MIAM the same as agreeing to mediation?
No. Attending a MIAM does not commit you to mediation. It is simply a meeting to explore your options, and mediation itself remains entirely voluntary. If you or the other party decide mediation is not right for your situation, your mediator will issue your certificate and you can proceed to court.
Does the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme cover the cost of a MIAM?
No. The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme provides up to £500 per family towards the cost of joint mediation sessions, not the MIAM itself. If you are eligible for legal aid, your MIAM and mediation sessions can be fully funded. Ask your mediator about your eligibility when you book.
Can I get a MIAM certificate if the other party lives abroad?
Yes. You can still attend a MIAM and obtain your certificate. Where the other party is abroad, this may fall within one of the MIAM exemption categories, or your mediator may invite them to a separate online MIAM. Your mediator will advise on the best course of action.
What is the difference between a MIAM certificate and an FM1?
They are closely related. The FM1 is a court form your mediator can complete to confirm your MIAM attendance or record mediation as unsuitable, submitted to the court in certain situations. It was the older generic term, so some family law practitioners still use it. The MIAM certificate is the document issued to you as evidence of attendance when submitting a C100, Form A or FM1. In everyday use, people often call both the “MIAM certificate” or “mediation certificate”.
Ready to Get Your MIAM Certificate?
Get your mediation certificate with an accredited family mediator. Standard MIAM from £115 + VAT, with a same-day urgent option available across England and Wales.
Our Legal Partnerships
Mediate UK works closely with trusted legal professionals to ensure your agreements are legally robust. Our partners support our clients with consent orders, independent advice and final barrister reviews.
Agreements are managed by SRA-regulated solicitor Rachel Adams, SRA 452750.
Independent barristers, including Charmian Jackson, registered with the Bar Standards Board.
Managed by SRA-regulated solicitor Rhiannon Compton, SRA 600560.
