http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2008_0105
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Joint Birth Registration White Paper
02 June 2008
- Joint birth registration: recording responsibility announced -
Plans to change the law to require dads, as well as mums to be named on the birth certificate are being announced by Secretary of State for Work James Purnell and Children's Secretary Ed Balls in a joint White Paper published today.
The change, which will be implemented in the next session’s Welfare Reform Bill, will put parental responsibility centre stage by giving mothers or fathers a right to insist that the other parent acknowledges their responsibilities to their child by registering on the birth certificate.
The responsibility to register a new baby for unmarried parents currently lies predominantly with the mother. In England and Wales around 7% of births each year are solely registered by mothers which means every year up to 45,000 children do not have their father named on their birth certificates and today’s announcement intends to address this by 3 key changes to the law:
1. Requirement to joint register
We are introducing a new responsibility on both parents to jointly register the birth of their child. If either parent wants to solely register, the registrar will explain to them that they have to joint register unless it is "impracticable, impossible or unreasonable to do so". If not then the registrar will ask the registering parent to come back with information about the other parent in order to continue with the joint registration.
2. Father’s obligation to register
Where the mother wants joint registration, but the father does not, the mother can provide information that allows the registrar to contact the father, who will be obliged to take a paternity test. If he is proven to be the father then the child will be jointly registered.
3. Father’s right to register
The changes will give a father the right to declare his paternity and have his name recorded on the birth certificate. Where the mother does not acknowledge that the father is the father, he will have the right to ask to take a paternity test.
In addition the White Paper also proposes other non-legislative ways to increase the number of joint registrations, for example registrar outreach making it possible for people to register in their local community at a doctor’s surgery or community centre. It also looks at more flexible hours for registration, or the option of a home visit for parents with reduced mobility.
Mr Purnell said:
"All children deserve the best start in life. It’s crucial that from the day they are born, both mum and dad recognise the role they play in their child’s life and how that shapes their child’s identity. Registering a child’s birth isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s a lifetime commitment by both parents to safeguard their child’s development, health and welfare, and provide them with direction and guidance throughout childhood."
"We want to ensure that while continuing to protect vulnerable women and children, we promote parental responsibility and child welfare by significantly increasing the number of birth registrations which hold the details of both mother and father."
Mr Balls said:
"Every child has the right to know who their parents are and we want to make things as easy as possible for both parents to take responsibility for their children. Becoming a father is a serious and significant event, as we know that when fathers are involved in their child’s life it can help them succeed at school, as well as stay on the right track during the teenage years and - for children in separated families – improve emotional health and well-being . Engaging fathers at the birth of their child, including registering fathers on the birth certificate, is vital in establishing that close involvement."
Editor's Notes This press notice relates to 'England'
1. The White Paper Joint birth registration: recording responsibility can be found at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/jointbirthregistration or http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/parents/
2. The names of married parents are automatically recorded in the birth register when one of them registers. They do not have to register jointly. This works well and it is not proposed to change this.
3. The White Paper follows a Green Paper Joint birth registration: promoting parental responsibility published by DWP on 26th June 2007.
Contact Details Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2008/0105
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Mr Balls said:
"Every child has the right to know who their parents are"
Perhaps he would like to consider compelling adoption agencies to provide
that information to adoptees when it is recorded on adoption paperwork but
is not on their original birth certificate.
I believe so given the absolutely disgraceful way in which I've seen Barnardos
(Barnardo's) in the UK acting in regard to information about fathers
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/familyconnections.htm
Perhaps indeed we should have adoption certificates that show the names of
all our known "parents" adoptive and genetic. And perhaps he could make that
retrospective. Or am I asking too much there?
Robin Harritt
http://harritt.eu
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