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Birth certificate r...
 
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[Solved] Birth certificate registration- father optional?


Posts: 63
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Topic starter
(@Danjamw)
Estimable Member
Joined: 13 years ago

When I sat with my daughter and her mother in the registry office, the administrator registering my daughters information asked my childs mother if she wanted my name on the birth certificate. I was appalled and felt very belittled by this notion. Luckily she responded with a yes. However, what if she had said 'no'??

My question is, who makes these rules that a question of that nature should be asked?.

I would very much like to challenge this with the correct authority/body. And I would appreciate being sent in the right direction.

Thank you,

Danny

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6 Replies
 actd
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(@dadmod4)
Joined: 15 years ago

Illustrious Member
Posts: 11892

I can fully understand your feelings - the problem is as much biological as anything, there is little doubt who the mother of a child is, but only the mother can say who the father is to the authorities without having to go through DNA tests, so unfortunately, I can't see this changing.

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(@springchicken)
Joined: 14 years ago

Estimable Member
Posts: 152

Is it to check that you are the actual father? I wonder if they have some occasions when the women is with a new partner & don't want to assume the man coming in is the Dad. What do you think? Had they already asked if you were the Dad?

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(@Danjamw)
Joined: 13 years ago

Estimable Member
Posts: 63

Greetings Gents,

Yes, I had already been asked at the beginning of our appointment with the registry office, whilst sitting with the registrar, if I was the father. The registrar then asked my daughters mum if she wants me on the birth certificate.

I did question this, as suddenly she had made me feel like a third party sitting in the room. I found it very insulting. I was advised it was 'policy'. In my eyes, my daughter has every right to know who her father is. Above anyone else's rights at that time.

If my childs mum had said 'no', I would find myself in a much tougher spot now that I am in court arranging custody. Law states that Parental Responsibility is given to fathers who were previously married to the childs mother, or, Fathers named on the birth certificate after December 2003.

This 'Policy' gives mothers an unfair advantage when relationships may not work out between parents. It makes the whole court process that much more complicated, not mention expensive.

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(@sven1885)
Joined: 13 years ago

Active Member
Posts: 3

Hello chaps , i recently found out that i was left of my daughters birth certificate in 2000 when i was serving overseas and therefore not present at the birth , having split up with her mother in 2007 before getting married and paying child support via CSA i cant believe that i can have no contact with her or get school reports etc because i cant prove im her father other than paying CSA payments which they dont recognise ! Pulling my hair out over this . Remember hearing that fathers names can only be added upto 10 ten years after birth and it is now over that date . Any options for me ?? Cheers .

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(@Danjamw)
Joined: 13 years ago

Estimable Member
Posts: 63

Greetings to you,

If Im being honest, as with my current experience in this difficult ordeal, The most effective direction to take this would be to go and get a solicitor and request a Paternity test. And if it is refused by the mother, issue an appearance in court over it.

It seems as though the only path fathers in these situations can take is to get a lawyer and go through the courts.

It long, drawn out, and expensive.. Its a fight. A battle. It certainly shouldnt be this way, but it is. And nothing will change it until fathers stand together as one. 'Power in numbers' as they say.

We need to do all we can for our children. They need us.

Get a lawyer to bridge the communication between you, your childs mother, and the court.

Make yourself known.

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 actd
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(@dadmod4)
Joined: 15 years ago

Illustrious Member
Posts: 11892

I would have a read of yoji's guide to representing yourself at the top of the legal section - if you do decide to represent yourself, then the court fee is £200 and we can call on the expertise of the CCLC

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