Consent for the father to be on the birth certificate

If the parents are married to each other, then either parent is able to register the birth and include both the mother and the father’s name on the birth certificate. The consent of the other parent is not required.

If parents are not married then the mother will need to consent to the father’s name being put on the birth certificate.

Both the mother and father need to be physically present at the registry office to sign the birth register. If one parent cannot attend, they must complete and sign a statutory declaration confirming they consent to being put on the birth certificate, but are unable to attend the registry office. A statutory declaration is a formal document that must be signed by a commissioner, a solicitor or the courts.

If the mother does not agree to include the fathers name on the birth certificate then the father can apply to court for a parental responsibility order.

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