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Written question asked by Stella Creasy (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 June 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 June 2023 (named day). It was answered by Mike Freer (Conservative) on Monday, 26 June 2023 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships: Birth Certificates

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether is Department plan to take steps to enable registrars to make a declaration of parentage on a birth certificate where one parent is deceased.

Answer

The Government understands that it must be difficult for a surviving parent or family in these circumstances however there are no plans to take steps to enable registrars to make a declaration of parentage on a birth certificate where one parent is deceased.

In the unfortunate circumstance of the death of a parent before the birth of a child, a person can apply for a declaration of parentage to the High Court or the family court. The court will decide whether to make a declaration that a person named in the application was the parent of the child. If such a declaration is made, the court will inform the Registrar General, who is then responsible for authorising the re-registration of the birth to include the name of the deceased parent.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
190574
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Registration of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships Birth certificates
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk