The journey to seek asylum is incredibly difficult, and for a child arriving in the UK alone, it is a profoundly challenging and frightening experience. The UK has specific legal duties and safeguarding procedures to protect unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). Understanding how to correctly register an asylum claim is the first and most critical step in accessing this protection.
This guide is specifically for children under 18 who are applying for asylum on their own. It is essential to understand that if you have an adult relative (like a parent, aunt, or uncle) who is also claiming asylum in the UK, you should be included as a dependant on their application instead.
Navigating this process requires specialist legal support from lawyers who are experts in handling the unique complexities of children’s asylum cases. Our firm is dedicated to providing this expert, compassionate, and child-focused legal representation, ensuring that the rights and welfare of every young person seeking refuge are protected from the very beginning.
Registering Your Claim: If You Are NOT in the Care of Social Services
If you have recently arrived in the UK and are not yet known to or being looked after by social services, the way you register your claim depends on whether you have a responsible adult with you.
If You Have an Adult Who is Legally Responsible for You
If you are living with an adult who has taken on the responsibility for your care (for example, a relative), you must register your claim together.
- What you must do: You and the responsible adult must go together to the walk-in service at the Home Office’s Asylum Intake Unit.
- Who should the adult be? If you are living with several relatives, the adult who accompanies you must be your closest blood relative who is willing to take formal responsibility for you.
- What the adult MUST bring: This is a strict requirement. The adult must provide their own official documents, including:
- Photo ID: A valid passport or driving licence.
- Proof of Address: A recent official document showing their name and address, such as a council tax bill or a tenancy agreement.
If You are Completely Alone (No Responsible Adult)
If you are in the UK by yourself and do not have an adult who is responsible for you, your immediate safety is the priority. You have three main options to start your claim and access protection:
- Go to the Police: You can go to any police station and tell them you are a child and need to claim asylum.
- Contact Social Services: You can contact the local authority’s children’s social services department.
- Go to the Asylum Intake Unit: You can go directly to the walk-in service at the Asylum Intake Unit yourself.
Registering Your Claim: If You ARE Already in the Care of Social Services
If you are already being looked after by a local authority in the UK (for example, you are living with a foster carer), the process is different and more structured.
- You MUST Book an Appointment: You cannot use the walk-in service. Your social worker or foster carer must help you book a formal appointment at the Asylum Intake Unit by calling the dedicated appointment line.
- How to Book Your Appointment:
Asylum Intake Unit Appointments Line
Telephone: 0300 123 4193
Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 4:45 pm
Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Information Needed for the Appointment Booking Call
When your carer or social worker calls to book your appointment, they will need to have specific information ready to provide to the Home Office operator. This includes:
- Your Personal Details: Your full name, date of birth, and nationality.
- Your Document Numbers: The number from your passport or national identity card if you have one. If you only have a birth certificate, provide the number from that.
- Your Foster Carer’s Details: Their full name and contact information.
- Medical Information: Details of any important medical conditions you have or medication you are taking.
Your Safety and Legal Protection is Our Priority
An unaccompanied child’s asylum claim is one of the most important legal cases a person can face. The outcome will determine their entire future. It is a legal requirement that children are provided with the support they need to navigate this process. Our specialist UASC lawyers are here to be your advocate and protector.
- We ensure your claim is registered correctly and that you are immediately referred to the proper safeguarding authorities.
- We represent you at every stage, from your initial screening to your main asylum interview and any subsequent appeals.
- We work in your best interests, ensuring your voice is heard and that the Home Office makes a decision that properly considers your welfare as a child.
If you are a child seeking asylum in the UK, or an adult caring for one, contact our specialist legal team immediately. We are here to provide the urgent, expert, and compassionate legal support that every child deserves
About the Author:
Farzad Ghods is an international lawyer specialising in UK immigration law. He is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Immigration Advisors Authority (IAA) in the United Kingdom, and is also a member of the Iran Bar Association. He brings over fourteen years of professional legal experience to his practice.