Child Trust Funds: how to find a lost account and what happens at 16 and 18
Published · 3 min read · Figures checked . UK rules and rates change, so check the official sources below before you act.
A Child Trust Fund is a tax-free savings account opened for children born in a set period. This guide explains who had one, how to trace it through HMRC, and what changes when the child turns 16 and 18.
Who this guide is for
This guide is general information for people born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, and for the parents or guardians of children in that group. It does not cover Junior ISAs, which are separate accounts for children born at other times. It is not advice for your own situation.
The figures and dates below were checked on GOV.UK on 13 October 2026. The £9,000 limit applies to the 2026/27 tax year.
What a Child Trust Fund is
GOV.UK explains that the Child Trust Fund scheme closed in 2011, so no new accounts can be opened. Accounts that already exist can still be paid into. The money belongs to the child, and income and profits in the account are not taxed. GOV.UK also says the account does not affect benefits.
Finding a lost account
Many families lose track of which company holds the account. GOV.UK says you can ask HMRC to find it if you are 16 or over and looking for your own fund, or if you are a parent or guardian of a child under 18. The service cannot be used to find a Junior ISA.
The online form asks for these details. It has to be finished in one go, because it cannot be saved and returned to later.
- The child's full name, address and date of birth
- Any previous names used by you or the child
- Your National Insurance number
- The child's National Insurance number, if you have it (it is optional)
- Adoption details, if they apply
HMRC then sends a letter giving the provider's details and where the account was first opened. It does not say how much money is in the account, so you contact the provider for that.
How long it takes
GOV.UK says online applications usually get a reply by letter within 3 weeks. Postal applications take longer. If you have heard nothing after 6 weeks, GOV.UK says to write to HMRC and include your reference number if you have one.
GOV.UK also lists other free ways to trace a provider, such as the Share Foundation's finder. If you already know the provider, you can contact them directly.
Taking control at 16 and 18
GOV.UK says the child can take control of the account at 16, but cannot take money out until 18. At 18 the fund matures and the child automatically takes over the account. No more money can be added after that.
At that point the child can either withdraw the money or move it into an adult ISA, after which the Child Trust Fund closes. Until one of those happens, the money stays in an account that no one else can access.
If a young person cannot manage the money
If the child lacks the mental capacity to manage the account, GOV.UK says a parent, or a close friend or relative, must apply for a financial deputyship order from the Court of Protection before the account matures. In Scotland the application goes to the Office of the Public Guardian in Scotland. In Northern Ireland it goes to the Office of Care and Protection.
Moving to a Junior ISA
A child cannot hold both a Child Trust Fund and a Junior ISA at the same time. GOV.UK says that if a Junior ISA is opened, its provider can be asked to transfer the Child Trust Fund into it. Whether that suits a family depends on the details of each account.
Check before you act
Rules, limits and processes can change, so it can be worth confirming the details on the official GOV.UK pages linked below before you apply or move any money.
Sources
For information only. See our disclaimer and editorial standards. Spotted an error? Tell us.
