Getting a passport with gay parents?

[Stardown]

Our baby son will need a passport sharpish after being born in the next few weeks as we are traveling to the US to see my family soon after his birth.

I have a few questions.

1. Just went on the Passport Application to have a nosey at what will be required, and it asks for his mother's and father's details - obviously what do we fill in for 'father'? My details? (I'm not giving birth to him)
   
   
2. My partner (giving birth) is British, I am American and we are in a Civil Partnership. Will our baby be allowed a US passport as the US doesn't recognize CP/gay marriage? Even though I will be on his birth certificate?
   
   If anyone has been in this situation I would REALLY appreciate some advice.

[duchesse]

I guess you take inspiration from the fields on his birth certificate- the registrars must have an approved format for same-sex parents. I can ask our friends if you like, but I'm sure there are other women on MN who've done this and will be along soon to help. You may have to bump your thread in the morning though.

[MarniesMummy]

Stardown, I don't have any advice for you but I am horrified that it's 2010 and you're having to ask this question.

Call me niave but I really thought that since Civil Partnerships are recognised in England, that all our forms would be adjusted accordingly.

I am very interested in what you find out. I'm straight not gay but I can't stand discrimination however subtle or unintentional.

[onimolap]

I would put your details in the "father" section and explain the CP and PR in the "other info" section.

You'll probably need to get on to the Embassy for authoritative information on US nationality requirements.

[drivingmisscrazy]

oh yes, hey ho, the passport. Here in Ireland (no CP, and PR either) DP had to write a letter allowing to collect dd's passport (I have no legal relationship to her). I doubt I could travel with her without a legal letter (this is a problem for straight parents who do not share their dc's surnames too).

As to the US thing: I think it highly unlikely that that your son will be entitled to US citizenship because US law will not recognize you as his legal parent. Sorry. Jurisdictions usually only recognize those parts of other countries' law that confirm their own (so while I could adopt dd in England if we lived there for a year, there would be no point as this adoption would not be recognised in Ireland - although it would be in some states in the US).

I'm not sure how this works in the case of civil partnership, both names on birth cert in the UK - if the non-bio parent is british, but the bio parent is, does the child qualify for citizenship? UK law was, until recently, unusual in deriving citizenship from the father, rather than the mother...I just don't know what the relationship between CP and citizenship is (it entitles the partner to the same citizenship status as a married couple, but don't know about children)

hmmm

[drivingmisscrazy]

sorry 'british, but the bio parent isnt