Kevin welcomes new legislation promoting paternal responsibility

Wednesday 4^th June, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Joint-registration births to increase paternal rights and responsibility

Kevin Brennan MP has welcomed a new initiative in England and Wales to increase the number of fathers registered on birth certificates.

Currently the rate children born without a registered father is at 7% in England and Wales.

Mr. Brennan commented “Half of unregistered fathers are still in regular contact with their legitimate children. Increased registration will grant these fathers parental responsibility and encourage unmarried fathers not to become so-called ‘deadbeat dads’.”

The new initiative allows mothers to call for paternity tests for registration if the father refuses to register and allows men whom the mother doesn’t recognise as the father to request paternity tests. On top of this it includes outreach programmes to encourage easier registration in the local community.

Sole-registration can now only take place when it is impossible, impracticable or unreasonable:

Ends

• Impossible: when it is not possible for both parents to register, such as if the father’s identity is unknown, a sole registration will take place.
•  Impracticable:  when joint registration is not a practical option, for example because the father is away and cannot attend the register office, a sole registration will take place. However, where it is expected, or even possible, that the father’s circumstances may change (for example, if he returns from working abroad) the registrar should encourage the mother to have the child re-registered as soon as the father is available to do so, and should explain how this can be done.  
• Unreasonable: this will cover a broad spectrum from cases of men who have received a conviction for rape to cases where it would be unreasonable to expect registrars to take excessive steps to trace a father who has not come forward. In such cases a sole registration will be accepted.  

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/jointbirthregistration/

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/jointbirthregistration/

For more information contact:

Tim Windle

Telephone: 0207 219 3572

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