Children under 16 in full‑time education must hold a Child Performance License to work as an actor or model in the UK licences are issued by the child’s local council and typically take 48 hours to 10 days, depending on the authority.

The process involves the parent or guardian submitting the child’s documents, the production providing job details (form below), and the council approving welfare, schooling, and chaperone arrangements for the shoot.

For fast‑moving productions, we may recommend licensing all shortlisted children and back-ups in advance so the paperwork is in place before final client approval, although this does increase production costs.

Child agencies will handle the application on your behalf, though will charge an administration fee of £40–£50 if you do not book their actor.

The relevant local council is the one where the child lives and that authority is responsible for issuing the performance licence. Agents will generally know which councils process applications quickly — some can take 5 working days and a few can turn them around in 48 hours.

Standard Child Performance Licence Application Form