Registering a birth

[Velvetee]

Please can anyone tell me, how does it work when registering the birth of a new baby?

Whilst I will probably have my partner's name added as the father on the birth certificate, I want the baby to have my surname. Is this possible or will the father's surname be given to my child automatically, if he is noted at the father?

Thanks

[beverleymot]

you can give it any name you like

[Ethel]

The surname can literally be any name you choose - it doesn't have to be yours or the father's.

[Ethel]

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_par ent/family/birth_certificates.htm

[k8bailey]

If you want the father name on the certificate then he'll have to go with you as you're not married, but as the others have said, baby can have ANY surname.

[Velvetee]

Ok, thanks everyone.

[Buenchico]

Hi Velvetee:

Your question has been answered by others but you might like to know the significance of jointly registering the birth of your child with your partner. Doing so will automatically give him 'parental responsibility'. (Otherwise he could only obtain it through entering into a formal agreement with you, or by obtaining a court order):
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/ParentsRig hts/DG_4002954

I hope that things are going well for you, and that you will welcome your partner's formal involvement in your child's future, but you ought to be aware that, if you separated from your partner, he would still have a say on whether, for example, you could take your child out of the country.

I hope that you don't think that I'm trying to tell you how to run your life. I'm simply seeking to point out that whether or not you jointly register the birth is a major decision, which could have important consequences in the future.

Chris

[Velvetee]

No Poodi, we didn't get married, we decided to postspone because I thought it wouldn't be a happy day because of the recent death of my mother. However, I think he was relieved, afterall, his Admin Assistant did advise him not to marry me.

We are still together and he is going overboard trying to make things up to me, but I just feel bitter. I'm going to my first Relate session tomorow and we will attend together thereafter. I'm not sure it will help me though, as I tend not to be very forgiving.

I will have his name put on the Birth Certificate and he would like the baby to take his surname, but I don't feel he deserves this and prefer baby to have my surname.

[Velvetee]

Oh and thanks Chris for that link and the advice.

[tamborine]

I've been following your babe's future too. I wish you could accept your partners apology and not feel bitter. The two of you are so important to the welfare your babe. He will always be in your life because of the child, the more you reject him the more pain you cause your child and OH.

Try & put your differences behind you for now and let your OH share his child. Don't start your future by using this child in a tug-of-war.

When is your babe due?

[Beanmistriss]

I really hope im wrong but you sound in terrible danger of using your child as a bit of a weapon. You've "decided" to put him on the birth certificate - it's his baby too, why would you not? He doesn't deserve for it to have his surname - I'm not saying you should give it his surname but that is a terrible reason and seems really spiteful. I also read your post about not letting his mother have anything to do with the baby because she's peed you off. You need to be careful - It's very easy to convice yourself that what you're doing is in the best interest of your child but, use your child a weapon and when it grows up it will all come back and bite you on the bum and you may be the one who ends up loosing out. If you can't forgive your bloke (and I have to say I would have punted his @rse out) then you'd be better to move on. That way you could leave your bitterness behind, things wouldn't get worse and he'd have a half decent shot at having a relationship with his child.

[Beanmistriss]

tonyted - thats disgusting! The child has the right to have both of it's parents named on it's birth certificate. It's about the child not whats most convinient for the parents! No wonder the country is in the state it is ffs!!