Registering a new born baby
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To all the new fathers out there, especially in the UK, child birth can often be a busy time. Full of emotion, trying to juggle multiple areas of your life. There is so much to think of, so when the baby is finally born and the official parts crop up. What should fathers be on the look out for?
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Well, registering a baby for starters is often something some parents do not think about, let alone prepare for. Registration usually takes place within the first few weeks of birth, although the exact timescale can vary if you live in England, Scotland and Wales.
The whole purpose of registration is to allow for the baby in question to qualify for British nationality, become legally registered to the parents and allow for the given names to be officially recorded. All of which are really important features for a child.
Even taking your baby to a doctor, say if you are concerned in the first weeks or months of birth with medical questions, you have to have the child registered first. So these things are vital when it comes to health related issues too.
Married and unmarried fathers all have the same rights when it comes to legal responsibilities. From a statistical perspective, registration also helps the authorities monitor the population fluctuations.
Where can i register?
Normally where the baby is born. There is a time limit so it is always best to check with the local health authority. Registration usually takes place at the hospital where the child is born, typically before parents leave with the baby.
Married couples are both able to sign the relevant documentation, or one parent can do it on behalf of both if a marriage certificate is verified. Parents who are not married, well, that process can take a touch longer apparently, so there are benefits to marriage after all! Both mother and father are required to sign the registration forms if unmarried, this is standard procedure.
What about a surname?
The baby can have any surname provided by a married couple, if unmarried the father does not have the right to request his surname be given to the child. This should ideally be agreed in advance to avoid any unnecessary complications. Moreover, changing surnames can also take time, should that ever arise and can only take place if both parents were not married at the time of birth. Changes to the birth certificate once issued can also take time, so it is important to get spellings etc correct first time around.
As of December 2003 in England and Wales, May 2006 in Scotland, unmarried fathers having their names on birth certificates means that they have what is known as 'Parental Responsibility' (married fathers have this automatically).
Other benefits to registering babies includes the inheritance laws and any benefits associated with.
What kind of information does the Birth Certificate require?
The full name chosen for the baby
The date of birth
The place of birth
The baby's sex
Both mother and father's full names
respective date and place of birth for mother and father
job occupation
Tell YouGov what you think about babyandfather.com - are you a dad or father? feel free to join us on Facebook
The whole purpose of registration is to allow for the baby in question to qualify for British nationality, become legally registered to the parents and allow for the given names to be officially recorded. All of which are really important features for a child.
Even taking your baby to a doctor, say if you are concerned in the first weeks or months of birth with medical questions, you have to have the child registered first. So these things are vital when it comes to health related issues too.
Married and unmarried fathers all have the same rights when it comes to legal responsibilities. From a statistical perspective, registration also helps the authorities monitor the population fluctuations.
Where can i register?
Normally where the baby is born. There is a time limit so it is always best to check with the local health authority. Registration usually takes place at the hospital where the child is born, typically before parents leave with the baby.
Married couples are both able to sign the relevant documentation, or one parent can do it on behalf of both if a marriage certificate is verified. Parents who are not married, well, that process can take a touch longer apparently, so there are benefits to marriage after all! Both mother and father are required to sign the registration forms if unmarried, this is standard procedure.
What about a surname?
The baby can have any surname provided by a married couple, if unmarried the father does not have the right to request his surname be given to the child. This should ideally be agreed in advance to avoid any unnecessary complications. Moreover, changing surnames can also take time, should that ever arise and can only take place if both parents were not married at the time of birth. Changes to the birth certificate once issued can also take time, so it is important to get spellings etc correct first time around.
As of December 2003 in England and Wales, May 2006 in Scotland, unmarried fathers having their names on birth certificates means that they have what is known as 'Parental Responsibility' (married fathers have this automatically).
Other benefits to registering babies includes the inheritance laws and any benefits associated with.
What kind of information does the Birth Certificate require?
The full name chosen for the baby
The date of birth
The place of birth
The baby's sex
Both mother and father's full names
respective date and place of birth for mother and father
job occupation
Tell YouGov what you think about babyandfather.com - are you a dad or father? feel free to join us on Facebook
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