The child can take control of the account at 16 and take the money out at 18. If you do not know where the account is, you do not need any paperwork to start looking.
Quick facts
- Born between
- 1 Sept 2002 and 2 Jan 2011
- Find it
- Free HMRC tool
- Control at
- 16
- Withdraw at
- 18
- Replaced by
- Junior ISAs
- Tax
- Tax-free
What a Child Trust Fund is
A Child Trust Fund is a long-term tax-free savings account for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011.
The money belongs to the child and they can only take it out when they’re 18. They can take control of the account when they’re 16.
There’s no tax to pay on the Child Trust Fund income or any profit it makes. It will not affect any benefits you receive.
How to find a lost account
Contact your Child Trust Fund provider directly if you know who the account is with.
You can also ask HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find a Child Trust Fund provider. They can tell you where the account was originally opened.
You can ask HMRC if you’re 16 or over and looking for your own trust fund, or a parent or guardian of a child under 18.
You’ll get a letter from HMRC with details of the Child Trust Fund provider. You’ll usually get this within 3 weeks of HMRC getting your request, if you apply online.
Paying in
You can continue to add up to £9,000 a year to an existing Child Trust Fund account.
Junior ISAs
The Child Trust Fund scheme closed in 2011. You can apply for a Junior ISA instead.
Junior Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are long-term, tax-free savings accounts for children. In the 2026 to 2027 tax year, the savings limit for Junior ISAs is £9,000.
You cannot have a Junior ISA as well as a Child Trust Fund. If you want to open a Junior ISA ask the provider to transfer the trust fund into it.
Common questions
Who has a Child Trust Fund?
Children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011.
How do I find mine?
Ask your provider, or use HMRC's free tool to find out where the account was opened.
When can the money be taken out?
At 18. The child can take control of the account at 16.
Is there tax on it?
No. There’s no tax to pay on the Child Trust Fund income or any profit it makes.