Ex wants photo of birth certificates

[GiraffeInScarf]

I’m separated with an at times awkward ex. Young DC. He’s asked for a photo of their birth certificates which of course he’s entitled to - it’s not like he’s asking for originals so I don’t think he could be trying to get passports (?) but it’s making me a little suspicious as to why he might be asking. Other than CB and school applications, I’ve not needed them for anything. He already has bank accounts for them.

Maybe I’m overthinking (and would be very happy to know this is the case!) but is there anything I should be wary of? I’ll send him photos (and of course he could get copies), but I’d rather not be taken by surprise if there’s something that comes up later.

Thank you for and advice/thoughts. Still having a hard time navigating this with little RL support x

Do they have passports already? If not, you should apply for them before you send ex the copies of BCs.

What's the care arrangements, who do they spend most time with (if not 50/50)?

He could get his own copies of the certificates from the registrars if he wanted.

Thanks for your reply, no, they don’t have passports yet. Would I need his consent to get them? If not, then would he find out?
Do you still have to send off the original BC’s to get passports (not photo’s of them?) if this is the case then it can’t be passport related, but I’m baffled what else he wants them for.

Given that he could easily get copies I won’t make it awkward, asking him why he wants them won’t work, he has a strong tendency to turn funny over things. But I’d like to stay a step ahead if I can…

They live with me 5/7, everything registered to my address. He doesn’t have a permanent address yet.

Thank you, yes - that’s why I don’t want to make an unnecessary issue of it, but still be prepared for why he might want them.

I think we got copies of them at the time of first registering, maybe I just send a photo of those?

Like you, I can’t think of any reason other than schools and passport.
I’d get the passports myself and then he can ask if he wants them.
Are your children coming up to school age, could he be applying to ones closer to him?

They are his children too, just give him a copy of the birth certificates. Who cares why he wants them. Unless he’s a completely unpredictable maniac it’s unlikely he has any untoward reasons for asking. How would you react if he was the one storing them and refused to give you a copy?

They’re his kids too. What’s your problem with it? He can’t use them for passports but even if he could, so what? He is allowed to get their passports if he wants to. If you really have a problem with that then you should get them sorted first.

To the other replies - as I said in my first post, I’m not blocking this in any way. With respect, you aren’t aware of the background and past behaviours - I just asked the question because history has taught me to have some caution.

Yes, he’s unpredictable, so having some understanding as to why he might ask is my best way of being aware of what might be on his mind. It’s the best way I can make sure I put the kids interests first, because he doesn’t. It might be nothing. Just asking because I really don’t know whether it is or not, and any help/thoughts/reassurance is really appreciated.

I wouldn’t try and apply for passports claiming I had his consent if I didn’t. But he would. Equally, if I applied and he was notified of the application then he’d blow up. I don’t know what’s involved with a child passport application.
I’m utterly exhausted with everything that’s left to me and trying to navigate the smoothest path for the kids sake. I have no energy for drama. Just want to understand, and I can’t ask him. That’s all.

He might want to apply for copies of their birth certificates but not know all the details in order to order them. The photos would give him the details he needs. Then he could use them to apply for a passport assuming there's no court order restricting travel.

Alternatively, might he be planning to dispute paternity?

He’s going to get passports, do not enable this.

It's for housing i bet

When I applied for social housing yonks ago they wanted birth certificates of any children and when I had my children they took copies for evidence who was living in the property

Just apply for passports so he can’t. If he finds out just say it’s normal. Every child gets them.

He can easily get copies with their names and date of birth.

Some rental agencies ask for id for anybody that will be living in the property. Could he be moving house?

Not with a photo of a bc he isn’t.

You don’t need a fathers consent for a passport in the UK just order one. I’d point out to him that the photos you send him are pretty useless and he is welcome to get official copies himself. You’re also within your right to question why he wants them you’re also within your rights to not even respond to him.

tell him they are easily and quickly available from the register office and leave him to it.

and apply for their passports yourself.

Makes me wonder whether he knows their birth dates…

If you can afford to I would get their passports

I can't think what he wants a photo of their BC for, unless as someone else has said, he's not 199% sure of their birth dates. Or spelling if their names or something.

I can't see what harm it would do to send him them. But I'm not him & not wanting to do anything dodgy!!

Dont most things need the actual BC, not just a photocopy/photograph?
In which case, I'd send him a photo, but make it obvious it's a photo

Bank accounts?

You need an original birth certificate for a passport or bank account. I would send him in the direction of the closest registrar, I wouldn't be too concerned, most likely a housing issue.