Summary:
• HMRC announced in September 2025 that 758,000 Child Trust Funds remain unclaimed in the UK, worth £2,242 on average. Anyone born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 likely has one.
• Find your CTF using HMRC’s free tool at gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fund with your name, date of birth, and National Insurance number. The search takes 5 minutes, and you’ll receive your provider’s details within 3 weeks.
• At age 18, you can withdraw as cash, transfer to an adult ISA (recommended to keep tax-free status), or leave it invested. There’s no deadline to claim your money, it remains legally yours indefinitely.
If you were born in the UK between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, you likely have money waiting for you, and you might not even know it exists.
In September 2025, HMRC announced that 758,000 Child Trust Funds remain unclaimed by young adults who’ve turned 18. The average unclaimed CTF is worth £2,242, though some hold considerably more.
The good news? Finding your Child Trust Fund is free, quick, and straightforward. You don’t need paperwork, just a few minutes and your basic details.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What Child Trust Funds are and who qualifies
- The exact steps to locate your CTF using HMRC’s free finder tool
- What to do with your money once you’ve found it
- Answers to the most common questions
What Is a Child Trust Fund?
A Child Trust Fund (CTF) is a long-term, tax-free savings account that the UK government created for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The scheme closed in January 2011 and was replaced by Junior ISAs.
How they worked:
- Government contribution: £250 per child (£500 for lower-income families), plus an additional £250 at age 7 for eligible families
- Parental contributions: Families could add up to £1,200 per year
- Tax-free growth: Money invested in cash or stocks and shares funds
- Account maturity: Full access at age 18
According to UK Parliament research, approximately 6.3 million CTF accounts were opened with over £2 billion in government contributions.
Why 758,000 CTFs Remain Unclaimed
The numbers from HMRC’s September 2024 announcement:
- 758,000 CTFs remain unclaimed by people aged 18-23
- Average value: £2,242 per account
- Total unclaimed: Over £1.7 billion sitting unused
- Search activity: 563,000 people used the HMRC CTF finder in 12 months to August 2025
Why so many are unclaimed:
- Families moved house and lost paperwork
- Parents forgot or never told their children
- Young adults don’t realise they need to claim it themselves at 18
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary, said: “If you’re between 18 and 23, you could be sat on a savings payout and not even realise it.”
How to Find Your Child Trust Fund: Step-by-Step
Finding your CTF takes about 5 minutes. You’ll typically hear back within 3 weeks.
Step 1: Check If You’re Eligible
You likely have a CTF if:
- Born in the UK between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011
- Lived in the UK during the scheme
- Haven’t already claimed it
Even if your parents didn’t set up an account, the government automatically opened one on your behalf.
Step 2: Gather Your Information
You’ll need:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Previous UK addresses
Don’t have your NI number? Download the HMRC app for instant access.
Step 3: Use the Official HMRC CTF Finder
Go to gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fund and use the free search tool.
What you’ll get: Your CTF provider’s name and contact details. You’ll need to contact them directly to find out your balance.
Timeline: Most searches are instant, otherwise within 15 working days.
Step 4: Contact Your CTF Provider
Common providers include OneFamily, Halifax, Nationwide, Foresters Friendly Society, and The Children’s Mutual.
They’ll ask for:
- Proof of identity (passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)
- National Insurance number
Processing time: 5-15 days once they’ve verified your identity.
Step 5: Decide What to Do With Your Money
You have several options, we’ll cover these in detail below.
What Happens to Your CTF at Age 18?
Ownership transfers to you: On your 18th birthday, the account becomes legally yours. Your parents can no longer access it.
The account matures: You can withdraw money or transfer it elsewhere. Some providers move matured CTFs to “protected accounts” if you don’t take action and the money stays safe, but might not earn competitive interest.
No more contributions: You can’t add new money to a Child Trust Fund after 18. To continue tax-free saving, transfer it to an adult ISA.
Tax-free status: All interest and investment gains are tax-free.
No deadline: There’s no time limit on claiming your CTF. The money is legally yours indefinitely.
What to Do With Your Child Trust Fund Money
Option 1: Transfer to an Adult ISA (Recommended)
Move your CTF balance directly to an Individual Savings Account to preserve tax-free status.
Benefits: Keeps money tax-free, better interest rates, can continue contributing (£20,000 annual allowance)
Best for: Anyone who doesn’t need the cash immediately
How: Contact your chosen ISA provider and request a CTF transfer – don’t withdraw first or you’ll lose the tax-free option.
Option 2: Withdraw as Cash
Request a full withdrawal. Money typically arrives within 5-10 working days.
Benefits: Immediate access, no restrictions on use
Drawbacks: Loses tax-free status, easy to spend impulsively
Best for: Immediate needs like house deposits or clearing debt
Option 3: Leave It Invested
Some providers let you keep your matured CTF with them (no new contributions allowed).
Benefits: Continues to grow tax-free, no immediate decision needed
Drawbacks: May have higher fees, potentially lower returns
Option 4: Combination Approach
Withdraw some cash for immediate needs, transfer the rest to an ISA.
Best for: Balancing short-term needs with long-term savings goals
Managing Your CTF With Your Family Finances
For many young adults, a Child Trust Fund represents the first significant financial asset they’ll manage. This is where Know Your Dosh can help.
Track everything in one place: Add your CTF to your Know Your Dosh dashboard alongside other accounts. See your total assets and make coordinated financial decisions.
Coordinate with parents: Share your dashboard so parents can see you’ve claimed it safely without needing direct access.
Plan for bigger goals: Use your CTF as the foundation for house deposits, education, or building an emergency fund.
Multi-generational planning: Learn from how your CTF was managed and apply those lessons to your own children’s finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a Child Trust Fund?
Use HMRC’s free CTF finder tool. If you were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 in the UK, you almost certainly have one.
What if I’ve lost all my CTF paperwork?
You don’t need paperwork. HMRC’s finder tool locates your account using just your name, date of birth, and National Insurance number.
Can my parents still access my CTF after I turn 18?
No. Legal ownership transfers to you at 18. Only you can access the account or make withdrawal requests.
How much is my CTF worth?
The average is £2,242, but contact your provider for the exact amount. It depends on contributions and investment performance. The minimum will be the government’s contribution (£250-£750) plus growth.
Is there a deadline to claim my CTF?
No deadline. Your money remains legally yours indefinitely. However, the sooner you claim it, the sooner you can move it to a better-performing account.
What if my CTF provider went out of business?
Your funds were transferred to another provider. HMRC’s finder tool will tell you where. Your money is protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000.
Can I still contribute to my CTF after 18?
No. Transfer your balance to an adult ISA to continue tax-free saving (£20,000 annual limit).
What if I’ve moved abroad?
You’re still entitled to your CTF. Use the HMRC finder tool, then contact the provider with updated details. You may need additional identity verification.
How long does the whole process take?
Most people complete everything within 3-4 weeks: finding the account (instant to 15 days), identity verification (5-10 days), and receiving funds (5-15 days).
Next Steps: Claim Your Money Today
If you were born between 2002 and 2011, there’s a good chance you have money waiting. Here’s what to do now:
- Spend 5 minutes using HMRC’s CTF finder
- Contact your provider once HMRC tells you where your account is
- Verify your identity with the requested documents
- Decide what to do with your money – withdraw, transfer to an ISA, or keep invested
- Track it with Know Your Dosh alongside your other finances
Don’t leave your money sitting idle. Whether it’s £500 or £5,000, it’s yours, so make it work for your goals.
Ready to take control of your finances? Sign up for Know Your Dosh and track CTFs alongside all your accounts in one secure, family-accessible dashboard.
Last updated: 6 November 2024
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