Petition · past parliament · Home Office

Require both parents to be present to register a child's birth

Closed 49 signatures

What the petition asks

Both parents should be at present to register their child’s birth certificate, whether they are married or not. It should be illegal for one parent to register the child without exceptional circumstances, with evidence to support this.
There are too many lives being destroyed due to parents being denied their names on their children’s birth certificate. Mainly the fathers. We live in the 20th century but too many fathers and some mothers are prevented from gaining parental responsibility due to the ease of a single parent registering a child’s birth. This can cause emotional distress for the parent and later on in life the child’s health and mental well-being. This change would help ensure both parents can have an active role. Only under exceptional circumstances may the names of both parents not be on the birth certificate.

Timeline

10 Feb 2021 Petition opened for signatures
10 Aug 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 49
Status Closed
Department Home Office
Opened 10 Feb 2021
Closed 10 Aug 2021

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.