Hi everyone. I’m sorry for the long message but I will try to keep it as short as possible. I gave birth to my child in a different country and faced many problems there since she was very premature. Eventually I was able to make her documents, however since we were never married, this specific country denied the father on the birth certificate due to laws. During this time, the father was in the UK and not communicating with me so I made her passport alone, however I did give his surname to her. (Probably made a mistake here)
I stayed in that country due to visa issues and made a decision to send the baby back to be with her father: mainly because healthcare is better in the UK and the baby would be with her father (who I then had an OK relationship with) as well as being able to be around family and friends that could help. Although it was a joint decision, ultimately the final decision was in my hands and I felt like it was the best option for her.
I eventually returned to the UK after a few years (if you know much about the country I was stuck in you will understand how slow court and issues take to solve) during this time I was regularly in touch with my child on the phone, Skype etc but I did feel that I was being alienated from many things to do with my child’s life.
During this time, the father got a new partner and has since had another child. Since my return back to the UK, he has not allowed me to see my child. He doesn’t answer the phone and he rarely replies on WhatsApp but I have received a few pictures. He has basically said that our child is happy and settled, which of course I understand, and that our child doesn’t need me in her life. Is it his decision to decide whether our child is happier without me or no? Don’t I have a right to see my only child?
As I understand I cannot apply for a c100 without mediation, and I believe he has received the letter since his partner called me. What position does the new partner stand in all of this, do they have a say in what happens?
What are my actual rights as the biological mother? When I sent her home I only did this for her own good and never thought he would prevent me from seeing my child. How was he able to register her for school and doctors without his name on the birth certificate? And is this even legal without me being notified?
Since I don’t even know the address of my child I was not able to rent an apartment close to where she is currently staying (I have just found out the area) how will this affect the mediation or court, the fact that I don’t live nearby?
I am really sorry for the endless messages but it’s really hard to find an answer to my unusual situation and I would love to hear from anyone with any advice.
Thank you so much x