Petition · past parliament
Give unmarried widows equal rights in registering paternity of their children
Closed
2,690 signatures
What the petition asks
Joana's long-term cohabiting partner and father to her child died suddenly three weeks before the birth of their second child. As they were unmarried, she was obliged to prove her child's parentage upon the father's death. It was a costly and lengthy legal process, including providing DNA evidence.
The 1953 birth and death certificate act does not allow registrars to have discretionary powers to register deceased parents when the parents are not married.
We ask that registrars be given these powers to prevent widows from having to go through such a costly and dehumanising experience.
We ask that registrars be given these powers to prevent widows from having to go through such a costly and dehumanising experience.
Timeline
| 4 Mar 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 4 Sep 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
2,690
Status
Closed
Opened
4 Mar 2016
Closed
4 Sep 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.