Petition · past parliament

Allow two mothers to be listed on a child's birth certificate

Closed 222 signatures

What the petition asks

Section 33(1) of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 prevents two mothers being allowed to be listed on the birth certificate of a child. We would like for this to be amended to allow two mothers for same sex families rather than 'mother' and 'parent'.
We undertook shared motherhood IVF in order to fulfil our desire to be equal mothers. After a difficult process to create a family we were blessed with our daughter who we are both mother to.

On registering the birth we were equally disappointed to learn that the law does not recognise two mothers. Law states - no other woman is to be treated as the mother of the child. Allowing only the 'natural mother' to be recognised. The other is listed as 'parent' rather than 'mother' creating inequality

Timeline

12 Sep 2023 Petition opened for signatures
12 Mar 2024 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 222
Status Closed
Opened 12 Sep 2023
Closed 12 Mar 2024

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