Registration of birth

[Vilanelle]

Hi everyone, I am hoping someone can help me.
Same sex couple

18 months ago my partner and I decided finally that we wanted to start a family. I was referred for fertility treatment.
Just prior to treatment my partner was sent abroad to work for 3 months, therefore I undertook the tests and treatment alone. As my partner was not in the country to be screened, I did it alone as a single woman.

Luckily I fell pregnant and baby was born in June 2020.

I contacted the registrars office to enquire about registering the birth. I was told my partner could not be named on the certificate as she did not sign a parental agreement at fertility clinic.

I have been told the only way now is for her to adopt. Is this correct?

It is frustrating as if she were a man, she could be entered on the certificate with no questions asked.

I believe if you were married both of you can be in the certificate regardless, however I don’t know if it’s married at conception or birth, I would doubt marrying before the registration would have the same effect. If the clinic advised you to go ahead as a single person knowing full well you were in a relationship that seems a bit weird. It’ll probably have to be an adoption unfortunately

If you were married or in a civil partnership at the time of treatment your partner can be included on the birth certificate unless she did not consent to the treatment.

If you were not married or in a civil partnership but the clinic was aware of your partner, they should have provided information about legal parenthood and given the opportunity for her to sign a parenthood agreement. If that did not happen, I'm afraid it is now too late. She cannot be included on the birth certificate.

Contrary to what you think, the situation would be no different if she were a man. If a child is born through fertility treatment with donated sperm or embryos an unmarried partner can only be included on the birth certificate if they sign a parenthood agreement prior to the start of treatment. This applies regardless of the sex of the partner.