AIBU to be shocked & angry that my DM and DMIL are not on my marriage certificate?!

[nameequality]

I married in 2001 in Church of England church. I've recently realised that my DF and DFIL's names are on there but not DM and DMIL's.

I can't seem to find out from googling if this is still the case in Church of England marriages or in registry offices.

I can see some images of civil partnership certificates on line which do show mothers.

Anyone get married recently who can let me know what their certificates say?

AIBU to be upset that mothers are invisible on these important documents?

It is easy enough MrsBungle- no excuse not to and a case where we need to follow Scotland.

Thanks for the link. I will draw it to the attention of family history sites- they might get involved and add weight.

They had the mother's occupation on the census returns- I can't see why it continues to be missed off.

I have looked at lots of certificates when researching the family tree. I do so wish the mothers name was on there as well.

Even if the father has died his name and occupation still appear. It is usually the best man and bridesmaid who sign as witnesses. I my case my father also signed as a witness because all my bridesmaids were under 18.

The Scottish system does sound better.

I hated being a spinster on mine. I know it is what an unmarried female is called but it's not a word anyone uses now.

I agree- spinster is just not in general use and I can't see why it is used in 21st century.

in this guidence for clergy document page 16 explains all about "column 7 father's name and surname".

My tablet's not letting me copy and paste that section at the moment.

Married in 2011 in a register office.

Space for fathers details (I didn't write my sperm donor's details on there), not for mothers though.

Hadn't really thought about it until now, I have to say...

Surely this is a registration problem? The clergy are just adhering to the law and marriage certificates are the same wherever you marry in England. The form needs to be changed.

Mothers have never been on marriage certificates in England since 1837 when they were first introduced. As a specialist female-line family history researcher it bothers me a bit, but there are lots of ways of finding our women and in all honesty the marriage certificate of a child would be the least of them. However, Scottish certificates are goldmines for family historians especially if you get one of the very early ones in the first two years or so, when they experimented with asking for grandparent details on birth certs as well!

I love the word spinster. It's hilarious. I think all the single ladies should claim it Beyonce style. I think it's a church thing isn't it? I'm sure my wedding certificate only had bride, groom and witnesses.

Are you sure it is just church? I thought they were the same. ( I could well be wrong though)

Out of interest have none of you ever looked at your certificates again? All certificates in England (& Wales) have, and have always had, bride, groom, both fathers' details, and witnesses signatures.

My understanding was that the certificate was the legal bit and the church was obliged to fill it in- not that the church had a different one.

You're right exotic.

I can't believe I've not thought about this before, it definitely needs to change!

2006 in a Scottish registry office. Both father's and mother's names and occupation on my certificate.

I thought so- there is no point in targeting the church- except to get them to campaign for change- it is whoever produces the registration forms.

What if your dad has never been involved in your life and he doesn't deserve to be on you don't want him on? Can you just leave it blank? Not an issue for me but my DS's dad chose not to be involved in his life and assuming this state of play continues, I doubt DS will want his name on there should he get married in the future. And I have no idea what his occupation is now probably professional twat .

I am sure that they have never changed since 1837 because no one has given it any thought.

I can't see anything in the way of legal document action/guidance regarding civil ceremonies despite a fair bit of googling. I will have to call a registry office to find out! My petition will go to Equalities office in government and to Church of England ( as that is where I married). Other addressees can be added later.

When we got married, dh didn't even know his day's name or occupation. I'm not even sure why any parent needs to be in there. Nowadays there are plenty of forms of ID without knowing your father's name.

Not surprised that only fathers are listed on church certificates, but it's absolutely shocking for registry office weddings and civil partnerships.

We got married two weeks ago and it's still just the dads names on there. We had our mums as witnesses.

Civil partnerships do seem to have mothers - you can Google for images of civil partnership certs which show this.

Oh yeah, my dad wasn't even at the wedding!