Could you have a Child Trust Fund?
Enter your date of birth to check, then trace any account for free at HMRC.
Around 760,000 matured Child Trust Funds worth an average of £2,000 each are sitting unclaimed, according to HMRC. Anyone aged 18 or over who was born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 may have one, and it can be traced for free using HMRC's online tool on GOV.UK. You never need to pay a claims firm to find it.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 1 SEPTEMBER 2026
- Around 760,000 matured Child Trust Funds worth an average of £2,000 each are unclaimed (HMRC).
- Anyone aged 18 or over born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 may have one.
- Tracing is free via HMRC's tool on GOV.UK; never pay a claims firm to find it.
Child Trust Funds: who has one and how to check
| Question | Answer |
| Who has a Child Trust Fund | Anyone born 1 September 2002 to 2 January 2011 |
| When can you access it | From age 18 |
| Average value | around £2,000 (HMRC) |
| Number unclaimed | 760,000 matured accounts |
| Cost to trace | Free, via HMRC's online tool on GOV.UK |
| Do you need a claims firm | No, never |
Source: FCA and HMRC, September 2026
KEY FACTS
- Around 760,000 matured Child Trust Funds worth an average of £2,000 each are unclaimed (HMRC).
- Anyone aged 18 or over born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 may have one.
- Around 6.3 million Child Trust Fund accounts were opened; the scheme is closed to new applicants.
- Tracing a Child Trust Fund is free using HMRC's online tool on GOV.UK.
- Some claims firms charge up to £400 or a cut of the payout for a service you can do yourself for free.
What a Child Trust Fund is
A Child Trust Fund is a long term savings account set up for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, seeded with a Government voucher. Around 6.3 million accounts were opened before the scheme closed to new applicants, replaced by the Junior ISA. The money belongs to the child and becomes theirs to access at 18. HMRC figures show 760,000 matured accounts worth an average of £2,000 each remain unclaimed, and with accounts continuing to mature until 2029, many young adults do not realise they have one.
How to find yours for free
Checking is straightforward and costs nothing. If you know which provider holds your Child Trust Fund, contact them directly to arrange a withdrawal or transfer. If you are not sure where the account is held, use HMRC's free online tracing tool on GOV.UK, which tells you the provider. You will need to prove your identity to that provider, but there is no charge at any stage. The FCA and HMRC are urging young adults, and parents of teenagers, to check as students head back to college and university.
Do not pay a claims firm
Some companies, including those advertising on social media, offer to find and claim a Child Trust Fund for a fee or a share of the payout. The FCA has seen customers charged £400 to locate an account, and some firms charging a monthly subscription for what is a one off tracing job. This is money you do not need to spend: the same trace is free through HMRC. The FCA also warns that tracing is not generally an FCA regulated activity, so these firms may not be covered by the cap on claims management fees, and customers may not be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
What happens next
The FCA has launched a review into Child Trust Funds, reporting next year. It will look at cases where young adults cannot be contacted when they turn 18 and risk losing touch with their savings, at whether firms are giving Child Trust Fund customers fair value under the Consumer Duty, and at any barriers stopping vulnerable young adults from accessing their money. In the meantime, once you have your Child Trust Fund, you can withdraw it, or transfer it into an adult ISA to keep the savings growing tax free.
DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Child Trust Fund
A long term savings account for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, started with a Government voucher. The money becomes the child's to access at 18. The scheme is closed to new applicants.
How do I find my Child Trust Fund
If you know the provider, contact them directly. If not, use HMRC's free online tracing tool on GOV.UK, which tells you where your account is held. You prove your identity to the provider at no cost.
How much is a Child Trust Fund worth
HMRC figures put the average unclaimed matured account at around £2,000, though individual values vary depending on contributions and investment growth over the years.
Do I have to pay to find my Child Trust Fund
No. Tracing is free through HMRC. Avoid claims firms that charge a fee, a subscription or a cut of the payout, as the FCA warns they may not be covered by its fee cap or the Financial Ombudsman Service.
When can I access my Child Trust Fund
From the age of 18. Accounts opened under the scheme continue to mature until 2029, so anyone born up to 2 January 2011 will reach access age in the coming years.
SOURCES
- FCA: check for unclaimed Child Trust Funds – accessed 1 September 2026
- GOV.UK: find a Child Trust Fund – accessed 1 September 2026
