Child performance licence

If you have children under school leaving age involved in a production, you'll need a licence. Such productions include:

  • film, play, concert or other public performance that an audience pays to see
  • a performance which will take place on a licensed premise, such as a film, play or concert
  • sporting event or modelling assignment where the child is paid

The person responsible for the production will need to apply for the licence.

Children performing abroad and children performing in the UK from abroad

Children from the UK who are performing abroad must get a licence. They can obtain one from:

  • their local Magistrates Court
  • the City of Westminster Magistrates Court

Supervision 

All children must be supervised when performing. It can be their own parent, or a registered chaperone. The production company must provide the chaperone.

Apply for a licence 

The application form should be completed by the producer of the performance

The person who signs the licence application will be the licence holder. The licence holder is responsible for observing the conditions of the licence.

We accept that there are exceptional circumstances sometimes. Therefore we may process applications up to 10 days before the performance date. This is provided all the relevant documents are completed correctly and are legible.

Application

You will need to provide the following items with the form

  • Proof of date of birth (copy of birth certificate).
  • 1 passport sized photograph.
  • Letter from child’s school for permission to be absent (if during school time).
  • Details of chaperone.
  • Details of performance location, dates and times.
  • A declaration of the nature of the performance if the child is under 14 years of age.

Apply for a child performance licence

You can return the application by email or post. 

Guidance on child performers

For further guidance on child performers see the:

Body of Person's Approval (BOPA)

Below are the guidance links for the Body of Persons Approval and its application form:

Exemption from licensing procedures

You can get exemption from the licensing procedures. Please download and complete the licensing procedures exemption application form.