Spelling mistake on birth certificate

DreamW3aver · 26/10/2024 20:40

There was a typo on one of my children's birth certificates, I asked for a new one and I definitely didn't pay for it. There's no way I'd have paid for their mistake.

It was so long ago that I can't remember the exact details of how I got a new one.

Soontobe60 · 26/10/2024 20:44

How did this happen? You have to provide legal documents for the mother and father (if he's going on the BC). So unless your name is also spelled incorrectly on those docs then I really cant see how it happened. Do you have a long, unusual name?

Original poster

HopeTF · 26/10/2024 20:47

@Soontobe60 she had all of my documents infront of her to copy from but clearly she made a typing error. I didn’t spot it at the time, therefore I have to pay £99 for the correction.

OP posts:

JeanLundegaard · 26/10/2024 20:48

I think it’s a bit unfair that it’s up to us to notice mistakes
You expect the registrar to know the correct spelling of every name? Unless they didn’t ask you to confirm that everything was right, I would expect to pay for a correction for a mistake that I missed.

JeanLundegaard · 26/10/2024 20:49

JeanLundegaard · 26/10/2024 20:48

I think it’s a bit unfair that it’s up to us to notice mistakes
You expect the registrar to know the correct spelling of every name? Unless they didn’t ask you to confirm that everything was right, I would expect to pay for a correction for a mistake that I missed.

If it’s their mistake I wouldn’t expect to pay.

Original poster

HopeTF · 26/10/2024 20:49

@JeanLundegaard It is my name spelt incorrectly, not my baby. She also had my passport, my driving license and utility bill infront of her to copy my name from.

OP posts:

JeanLundegaard · 26/10/2024 20:51

HopeTF · 26/10/2024 20:49

@JeanLundegaard It is my name spelt incorrectly, not my baby. She also had my passport, my driving license and utility bill infront of her to copy my name from.

Completely their fault, I can’t believe they want to charge you. You’re being inconvenienced further by having to potentially escalate it to get it sorted. Hopefully it will be resolved quickly for you.

EdithGrantham · 26/10/2024 20:56

Did they not ask you to check it before you signed it? At our appointment she asked us to read it very carefully and explained that any mistakes would have to be paid to be fixed

Hummusanddipdip · 26/10/2024 21:03

The reason they have you check so it's no longer their mistake.
Yes they shouldn't have made the mistake with your details in front of them, but it could also be argued you and your other half should know how your name is spelt well enough to spot the error.
When both ds were registered (5 years ago and earlier this year) it was made very clear we needed to ensure details were correct there and then because as soon as we left the room any detail changed would be subject to charge.

Personally I feel the charge is ludicrous.

isthesolution · 26/10/2024 21:14

It is, unfortunately, your fault. You signed to say the information is accurate.

Yes you can argue the registrar had your documents but then so did you?

It's awful and it feels very unfair but it's true that you will have to pay for the correction.

Thereislightattheendofthetunnel · 26/10/2024 21:17

HopeTF · 26/10/2024 20:47

@Soontobe60 she had all of my documents infront of her to copy from but clearly she made a typing error. I didn’t spot it at the time, therefore I have to pay £99 for the correction.

Then this is on them. You should talk to whoever is their manager and explain the situation and that clearly it is not your responsibility and they should correct the error

Plout · 26/10/2024 21:21

Thereislightattheendofthetunnel · 26/10/2024 21:17

Then this is on them. You should talk to whoever is their manager and explain the situation and that clearly it is not your responsibility and they should correct the error

Show quote history

Sadly this isn't how it works. We recently registered DS2, and it was made very clear to us that it was our responsibility to check and ensure all details were correct. If there were any mistakes once all details were confirmed, then it would cost us a pretty penny to get them changed.

My name was misspelled - luckily I noticed when we were given the draft forms to confirm details.

OP I'm sorry this happened. It's rubbish. But people advising you that you're not at fault and encouraging you to kick up a fuss are wrong.

Original poster

HopeTF · 26/10/2024 21:27

I think the point of my original post has been missed- whilst I’m upset about it, I do understand I have to pay £99 and I’m not going to complain to anyone about it.

I am asking if this has happened to anyone else in terms of whether I can get a new copy or whether all future copies have this note at the bottom and nothing else?

Thank you.

OP posts:

femfemlicious · 26/10/2024 21:30

JeanLundegaard · 26/10/2024 20:48

I think it’s a bit unfair that it’s up to us to notice mistakes
You expect the registrar to know the correct spelling of every name? Unless they didn’t ask you to confirm that everything was right, I would expect to pay for a correction for a mistake that I missed.

The registrar is supposed to copy the name from the ID of the parent

mumda · 26/10/2024 21:32

Solicitor put an extra letter on my name when we bought a house. They corrected the error. It cost me nothing.

Plout · 26/10/2024 21:34

HopeTF · 26/10/2024 21:27

I think the point of my original post has been missed- whilst I’m upset about it, I do understand I have to pay £99 and I’m not going to complain to anyone about it.

I am asking if this has happened to anyone else in terms of whether I can get a new copy or whether all future copies have this note at the bottom and nothing else?

Thank you.

Sorry OP, you're right, I did misunderstand the point of the post and went off on a tangent. This is what sleep deprivation and skim reading looks like. Apologies.

My understanding is that once the birth certificate is issued, any changes/corrections are added as a note at the bottom. This is what we were told at our appointment anyway.

I totally understand your disappointment but please don't let it get you down. I'd be initially upset too but would try to remind myself that I've seen my birth certificate once in 33 years and I honestly would not care at all if my mum's name was misspelled in the original part. In fact, I'd find it quite funny.

kkloo · 26/10/2024 21:46

I’m absolutely heartbroken that my name will forever be spelt incorrectly on his birth certificate.

Why?

Marshmallowtoastie · 26/10/2024 21:51

When I registered DD there were signs everywhere and I was told repeatedly verbally that I would have to pay for any mistakes and to check carefully
we were given the document at 3 different points, to check. And the registrar also spelled all the names out to us once from the computer.
however I do agree that it’s their job and if you’ve provided documentation with the correct spelling it does seem unfair that you shoulder all of the responsibility.

purplebeansprouts · 26/10/2024 21:54

Marshmallowtoastie · 26/10/2024 21:51

When I registered DD there were signs everywhere and I was told repeatedly verbally that I would have to pay for any mistakes and to check carefully
we were given the document at 3 different points, to check. And the registrar also spelled all the names out to us once from the computer.
however I do agree that it’s their job and if you’ve provided documentation with the correct spelling it does seem unfair that you shoulder all of the responsibility.

Nah I disagree. In any job there's a risk of a typing error. That is why a lot of work is checked.

Berthatydfil · 26/10/2024 21:56

JeanLundegaard · 26/10/2024 20:48

I think it’s a bit unfair that it’s up to us to notice mistakes
You expect the registrar to know the correct spelling of every name? Unless they didn’t ask you to confirm that everything was right, I would expect to pay for a correction for a mistake that I missed.

I would expect them to read the documents set in front of them though.

JeanLundegaard · 26/10/2024 21:58

femfemlicious · 26/10/2024 21:30

The registrar is supposed to copy the name from the ID of the parent

Show quote history

If you look at 20:51 I have added another comment.

Ladyangela · 26/10/2024 21:59

I know this a disaster now. But I have never even seen my full birth certificate.

JeanLundegaard · 26/10/2024 21:59

Berthatydfil · 26/10/2024 21:56

I would expect them to read the documents set in front of them though.

Show quote history

I added another comment at 20:51

Hummusanddipdip · 26/10/2024 22:01

HopeTF · 26/10/2024 21:27

I think the point of my original post has been missed- whilst I’m upset about it, I do understand I have to pay £99 and I’m not going to complain to anyone about it.

I am asking if this has happened to anyone else in terms of whether I can get a new copy or whether all future copies have this note at the bottom and nothing else?

Thank you.

Sorry @HopeTF I missed your point being the edit not the charge too!
Little sleep really does do funny things!

I'm getting married to dp next weekend and we've got to reregister both boys births to update the fact I will no longer be an "unmarried mother"

I hadn't thought about the changes there, but I would hope my name would be edited on the new certificate not a little note at the bottom.

JayBirdBlue · 26/10/2024 22:03

My DS had a mistake on his birth certificate, you get a new certificate with the correct info. The note is added to the birth register, not the certificate, so the certificate will be re-issued with the correct spelling :)