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Original poster

School wants copy of birth certificate!!

81 replies

Charlene1 · 09/09/2008 22:03

Anyone know why a school would demand a copy of a birth certificate - and send a note home today saying they "must have it by tomorrow" for my DD who has just started reception???? No explanation given, just the note!!! No saying "we will copy the original" - it said "provide a copy"
I have copied it to take tomorrow(are they going to pay for our printer ink and paper????), but have not been asked for DS's, nor did they ask when he started (he's now Yr 2).
It seems a bit weird and "big brother-ish" - are they checking who's got father's names listed/who's married/British/Parent's occupations etc for "statistics" or some other stuff that is really none of their business???
What could they do if you refuse to give it to them????

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womaninatightspot · 05/10/2021 08:57

My school was happy enough with an emailed copy of birth certificate. For siblings they didn't really bother with address checks as "we know who you are" they're not supposed to copy the ct form just tick a box to say they've seen it. You'd think the council could send annual statement before school admission form date but it seems to arrive the month after.

Charmatt · 05/10/2021 08:59

You only need to show the birth certificate - the school has no reason to retain a copy under GDPR.

SleepingStandingUp · 05/10/2021 09:05

I couldn't register mine for school nursery without the birth cert, which they photocopied. You're being overly dramatic

FWBNC · 05/10/2021 09:12

@StoatMilk

Pay you for printer ink and paper? Give over OP Hmm
Have you seen the date of the first post?

I think she's well over the cost of the paper/ink by now!!

🧟‍♀️ 🧟‍♂️ 🧟
Zombi thread!!!!!

@Lucyjane29

Well done for getting away from that abusive arse!

You might not get many replies as some people only read the first post (OP) then reply. This thread is very old, you'd be better off starting a new thread, (go to the top of this one & tap on 'primary education' and you can start your own) and be clear in your title what you are asking.

If it was me I'd call a few solicitors and ask what the process is for changing DS surname to yours. Most will be happy to give you some idea of the process and any costs over the phone. If you can do that it'll be easier in the long run. There might be some financial help available or solicitors recommended/funded through one of the charities if you can't afford it.

If you can't do it, DS will soon learn that he has two surnames, kids are pretty unfazed by stuff like this as it's 'just how it is'.

FWBNC · 05/10/2021 09:14

@SleepingStandingUp

I couldn't register mine for school nursery without the birth cert, which they photocopied. You're being overly dramatic
13 years on, she's probably over it by now🤣

🧟‍♂️🧟🧟‍♀️ZOMBIE THREAD🧟‍♂️🧟💁🏻‍♀️🧟‍♀️

EvilPea · 05/10/2021 09:16

Standard, birth certificate and proof of address. I think they missed your son for some reason.

I’m not married to my dcs dad and i get called Mrs x at dds secondary, I always reply
Miss Pea. Some seem to change it, others seem to persist.
It’s not hard and it’s not uncommon to have different names. It’s just rude not calling people by their proper name when there’s ways of recording that.

Primary manage it.

EvilPea · 05/10/2021 09:17

Oh COCK

SleepingStandingUp · 05/10/2021 09:22

I dunno @FWBNC she might still be fuming 😂

TheYearOfSmallThings · 05/10/2021 09:22

I had to upload copies of DS's birth cert, several proofs of address, and I think something to confirm vaccinations at the time of applying for a primary place.

It sounds like the school didn't sort out the paperwork before school began, and are now needing to get it done.

Lockdownbear · 05/10/2021 09:27

I think the Op might have got over her birth cert issues - her might be earning a living by now!

Orchidflower1 · 05/10/2021 09:28

@Lucyjane29 I think if you want more info on your exact situation, you’d probably get more info and appropriate replies if you set up your own thread. 😀

earthyfire · 05/10/2021 09:58

My DDs school asked for her birth certificate when she was starting year 7. Everyone was asked to send this along with passport details to the head teacher via email. I didn't want to send it via email because I didn't know how secure this was but then I forgot. I haven't been asked for it again but I'd be ok with going into the school with the documents so they can get a copy on file.

PigletJohn · 05/10/2021 10:27

Just to check

If you take A birth certificate in

Who's to say it's actually for your child?

prh47bridge · 05/10/2021 11:46

@Orchidflower1 - Having "Suzanne" known as "Sue" is fine. Having "Suzanne" known as "Dixie" is technically illegal but unlikely to cause issues. However, you were responding to Lucyjane29 who clearly wants the school to use a different surname for her son to his legal name. That is illegal. The school should refuse. Even if the school agrees, her son's father would have no problem getting an order forcing the school to use his legal surname at all times.

Sweettea1 · 05/10/2021 12:22

Why is it such a big deal providing proof off age to the school? I doubt the teachers actually care if parents are married or not its just what they have todo Infact the only people that will more than likely see it are the office staff.

FWBNC · 05/10/2021 13:23

@SleepingStandingUp

I dunno *@FWBNC* she might still be fuming 😂
It's MN so that's entirely possible!!
Norestformrz · 05/10/2021 19:32

@Charlene1

DoNot Annoy - that's shocking!! Well my DD's birth certificate has our old address on, so I'm glad we don't live in that area, as you would have problems if the address didn't match up!!! Scaredof - I'm just touchy as I am not married to their dad, but the school always calls me "Mrs DP's surname" if you phone up (office staff usually or TA's!!), which I take offence to that they just presume everyone is married to kid's father etc. DS's teacher calls me by first name, but I always have to put (mother) in brackets on forms etc. as I don't have the same name and they wonder who is signing it. Thanks for all the replies btw - so many!!! Will ask tomorrow why they want it (and probably tell them they have a cheek demanding it the next day!!!) Makes sense now if it is for funding and nationality etc!! would have been nice if they explained that - GRRR!!!
Birth certificates don't record home addresses. It's mandatory to provide birth certificates as evidence of DoB
Norestformrz · 06/10/2021 07:01

@PigletJohn

Just to check

If you take A birth certificate in

Who's to say it's actually for your child?

It's possible that you've registered your child in a false name matching a birth certificate you've obtained but highly unlikely most people would be willing for their child to live the next 13 years as someone else.
Howshouldibehave · 06/10/2021 07:03

I work in a school-in the files cupboard at the moment, there is a big stack of the reception children’s birth certificates waiting to be filed. It’s for proof of identify/dob-perfectly standard!

Walkaround · 06/10/2021 07:49

@Charlene1 - the odd thing is nobody having asked to see the birth certificate of your first child. The school is obliged to have proper evidence of your child’s existence, age, name and entitlement to state education (at all and in the relevant year group). Why do you think it’s odd?! What sorts of things did you think the birth certificate might be needed for?

HairyScaryMonster · 06/10/2021 07:57

We had to submit one as part of the school application process.

ManifestingJoy · 06/10/2021 07:59

@Charlene1

DoNot Annoy - that's shocking!! Well my DD's birth certificate has our old address on, so I'm glad we don't live in that area, as you would have problems if the address didn't match up!!! Scaredof - I'm just touchy as I am not married to their dad, but the school always calls me "Mrs DP's surname" if you phone up (office staff usually or TA's!!), which I take offence to that they just presume everyone is married to kid's father etc. DS's teacher calls me by first name, but I always have to put (mother) in brackets on forms etc. as I don't have the same name and they wonder who is signing it. Thanks for all the replies btw - so many!!! Will ask tomorrow why they want it (and probably tell them they have a cheek demanding it the next day!!!) Makes sense now if it is for funding and nationality etc!! would have been nice if they explained that - GRRR!!!
I think the short version just has the childs details
Megistotherium · 06/10/2021 08:03

I thought nothing of it, tbh, I really don't get why people get so agitated by school requesting official document. No one cares who's married to who or who is foreign, imo.

5zeds · 06/10/2021 08:09

I don’t think school need to know children’s nationality.

Norestformrz · 06/10/2021 19:24

Five or six years ago the government asked schools to include nationality in the school census. This was dropped shortly after due to challenges in the court.