Child performance licence

You'll need to apply for a child performance licence, if you have children under school leaving age involved in a production such as a:

  • film, play, concert or other public performance that an audience pays to see
  • film, play, concert or other public performance which will take place on a licensed premise
  • 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 need to obtain a licence from their local Magistrates Court or City of Westminster Magistrates Court. 

Supervision 

All children must be supervised when performing. This can be undertaken by their own parent(s), or alternatively the production company must provide a registered chaperone.

Apply for a licence 

The application form should be completed by the person responsible for producing 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.

You must complete your application so that it reaches us no less than 21 days before the first performance or activity for which the licence is requested.

 In exceptional circumstances, we may agree to process the application, providing all relevant documents are correctly completed, legible and received by us at least 10 days prior to the performance date.

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)

 For information and advice on Body of Persons Approval and to make an application, see the documents below:

Exemption from licensing procedures

To apply for an exemption from the licensing procedures, download and complete the licensing procedures exemption application form.