Beginners Call

Child performance licences, council by council

Individual licences come from the council where each child lives. A BOPA comes from the council where the show is. Every council publishes its own forms and notice period; here are the ones we’ve checked.

Last checked 28 October 2026

  • KentApply 21 days before the first performance. Workload permitting, Kent may issue within 10 full days.
  • EssexA correct application can take up to 21 days to process.
  • HampshireA complete application 21 days before the performance. Incomplete or part applications are deleted.
  • LancashireSee the council’s page
  • SurreyAt least 21 days before the first performance. A £40 fee per licence applies if it arrives 5 full working days or less before.
  • HertfordshireAt least 2 weeks before the performance, or 3 weeks for large-scale productions such as pantomimes.
  • BirminghamAt least 21 days before.
  • NorfolkNorfolk quotes the national rule: a council may refuse to consider an application less than 21 days before.
  • West Sussex21 days’ notice; West Sussex aims to process complete applications received at least 10 full working days before.
  • Staffordshire21 working days before the first day of the performance. Ring first if you have less.
  • NottinghamshireAt least 21 days before the event. Allow at least 10 working days for licences, BOPAs and exemptions.
  • DevonCompleted and submitted not less than 21 days before.
  • Leeds21 days; Leeds will try to issue within 10 working days where possible.
  • Derbyshire21 days from receipt of the fully completed application.
  • LincolnshireSee the council’s page
  • SuffolkSee the council’s page
  • OxfordshireAt least 21 days before. Applications received less than 10 working days before aren’t accepted.
  • LeicestershireAt least 21 days before the first performance. Ask if you need it sooner; no guarantee.
  • CambridgeshireSee the council’s page
  • GloucestershireAt least 21 days before; applications with less notice may be refused.
  • GlasgowAt least 21 days before; workload permitting, within 10 working days.
  • North YorkshireFree if received at least 10 full working days before; £40 fast-track with at least 3 full working days. Less than that isn’t processed.
  • WorcestershireSee the council’s page
  • WarwickshireSee the council’s page
  • SomersetAt least 21 days before the first rehearsal or performance.
  • CornwallSee the council’s page
  • ManchesterAs much notice as possible. Applications less than 7 days ahead generally aren’t accepted; processing takes up to 10 working days.
  • BuckinghamshireAt least 21 days before the event.
  • SheffieldAt least 21 days before. Applications with 5 clear working days or less are refused.
  • East SussexApply 21 days before. East Sussex will issue where complete applications give 10 clear working days; incomplete ones are returned.

Not listed? GOV.UK will point you to any council’s page: apply for a child performance licence. I’m adding councils over time. Email admin@onibaku.co.uk if you’d like yours next, or if something here is out of date.

Sources

Beginners Call is an information tool, not legal advice. It reads the law the way the Department for Education’s advice does, but your council makes the decision. If in doubt, ask them.