What if your partner is away and can't register a birth?

[LiliAnjelika]

My partner is working away and can't physically attend the registry office to register the birth of our daughter (and we only have two weeks left to register). We are not married and so I take it that he now won't be registered as the legal father to our little girl. He accompanied me to register the births of our first two, and it seems grossly unfair that he will now be excluded. Is there a way arouind this situation? what happens to men who are in the army, or on oil rigs etc? There has to be a loophole!Please advise.

Has he been working away since the baby was born?

He was home for a little while but we were late deciding on a name! Typical.

It isn't "grossly unfair" as it isn't other people's actions and no one is "excluding" him. You will have to ring and see what the registrar says. He might need to sign something.

Don't panic! Although the birth has to be registered within a certain time limit, you can 'amend' it (v simple form) for a longer period afterwards (up to a year I think, but you'd better check).

It wasn't meant as a hostile or aggressive statement! Just that the system does seem a little bit rigid, but I understand that rules are rules! I'm just surprised that this doesn't happen more often in the case of fathers who work away.

Thanks so much Tanga. That;s really helpful to know. I will phone the registrar on tuesday.

According to direct.gov there is a form that he can fill in. Is there a chance that you could get the form from the registry office, off to him and back in the two weeks?