Getting fathers name added to birth certificate?

[danman7200]

Hi guys,

My brothers girlfriend has just given birth to a gorgeous down syndrome girl. My brother died unexpectedly half way through pregnancy. They weren't married. My brothers girlfriend and our family, want his name on the birth certificate and it has come as a shock that this is not as easy as it seems. My brothers girlfriend has been quoted £2000 to amend the birth certificate to get my late brother added to the birth certificate? I'm not clued up on these matters. Can anyone advise? To me, it just seems right and just that the dad gets included on the birth certificate? It means a great deal that he is included but the cost we will struggle with. Can anybody advise? Many thanks

Hi
im really sorry for your loss. Did she already register the birth of the baby without including your brothers name? X

Hi,

Thanks for replying and apologies for late reply. Yes she has got a birth certificate already. She is going to solicitors route but is paying £2000 pound to add my late brothers name to the birth certificate. This just seems unfair to me.

It appears you just need to fill a form out then take it to the register office.

www.gov.uk/adding-fathers-name-birth-certificate

There is no mention of needing a solicitor to do it but I've never done it myself

If they weren't married she couldn't have put his name on the birth certificate without him being at the appointment too

@dementedpixie good point, that will be why the solicitor is needed. £2000 does sound like a lot though but I've no idea how much work it is

Wonder if it needs a court order in order to get him added as he can't complete the form or declaration of being a parent.

That won't apply in this case as he's not here to fill in the form. It'll take a court to have his name added on, which will likely cost money.

*cost quite a bit of money

www.thefamilylawco.co.uk/blog/children/adding-a-parents-name-to-a-birth-certificate-posthumously/

This suggests a court Declaration of Parentage is indeed what is needed

Hi
yea so when I registered the birth of my son me and my partner were not married and I have him
my partner’s surname. The registrar made a point of telling me that once it’s entered it can not be changed. So I’m assuming once the birth is registered it’s not as simple as adding or changing. Also as someone else said my partner had to be there (as not married). Maybe you could seek some alternative legal advice though as it seems like a lot of money. I hope you get it sorted x

Thanks for your replies. She has gotten legal advice, and yes it has to go through the courts. Its just the price I think is outrageous. Its mainly the solicitors costs. I've read that it is possible to yourself, but quite complicated, hence the solicitor! I was just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. Seems so wrong that we have to do this.....