Father lied he was married on my birth certificate- what does that mean for me?

[Spring2018]

Hello, I am a twenty-something Brit who has just found out that the my parents marriage information on my birth certificate is completely untrue. My father it seems felt embarrassed and just made up a date and signed it. My mother wasnt there and just didnt know how to resolve it so I was none the wiser till this week. They were never married. (He later went on to marry someone else). My worry is, I have of course used this certificate for years for passports, driving license etc How big a deal is this legally for everyone involved? Quiet correction? Or would this be fines and sentencing- and for who?

Bump

My first step would be to phone your local registrar office and ask for advice. They will be able to advise you.

Surely no problem at all unless it's been used for immigration or similar? Your birth certificate just shows your parents - it's not really relevant whether they were married or not?

Your father, it appears, committed an offence, because an unmarried father cannot register a birth.

No idea what sanction would be applied to him now, nor what if anything would be done about your BC, though

I thik the offence is that they have to be married for him to register the birth. I don’t think it really matters that they weree married or not. It certainly won’t make any difference for any reasons you require a birth certificate. I don’t even think a correction would be necessary can’t you just say you never noticed?

Are your parents both still alive and in touch with you?

It certainly won't have any ill consequences for you. Your father probably committed an offence though. He would not have been allowed to register your birth solo, only married dad's can do that.

No idea if he would be "done" for it.

Your father has committed perjury. However, as it was more than 3 years ago this would be dealt with by the magistrates court if he were prosecuted and he would face a maximum fine of £100. No-one else appears to have committed any offence.

Your mother or your father can apply to have the birth certificate corrected. If they are not available you can apply yourself.

www.gov.uk/correct-birth-registration/how-to-apply

You should probably get a copy of his marriage certificate as that will show he wasn't previously married (unless of course his history is even more tangled!)

Is there any doubt about your entitlement to British citizenship? I have no idea when the rules changes, but sometimes marriage status might be important for determining citizenship I think. But if both parents are British and you were born in the UK then I don't think that would matter either way.

I haven't actually looked into this by the way, so could be way off the mark. I'd look into it if you have any doubts though.