Unmarried father's rights.

[danroll]

as an unmarried father of a 1 year old girl. What are my rights if my partner and i were to split?

if anyone has any links to up to date UK law that would be most appreciated.

I am registered on the birth certificate and my daughter's mother and i live together.

[Ethel]

You have automatic parental responsibility which gives you as many rights as if you were married.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/ParentsRig hts/DG_4002954

[Aprilis]

Mr Aprilis and I have an 11yr old daughter and are not married. As far as I'm aware he has few, if any, legal rights unless we were to draw up a Parental Responsibility agreement via a Solicitor...or of course get married.

It's never really been an issue for us until last week when we got a form to fill in for a multiple passport that our daughter's school is applying for. They are going on a day trip to France and it clearly stated on the form that it could only be signed by someone who held legal Parental Responsibility for the child to whom the form pertains. This meant that Mr A couldn't sign it. It didn't bother him unduly as long as it did get done and our daughter could go. However, it did bother me. As far as I'm concerned he has as much right as me where our daughter is concerned, whether we're together or not. It's about what's best for her, not us, in my opinion. But that's because I'm a fair and reasonable person and not everyone is when push comes to shove, especially after a relationship break up.

I don't know all the details but I'm fairly certain that legislation was changed a few years ago that gave registered fathers automatic Parental Responsibility if their children were born after a certain date. Perhaps you can look into that?

[Aprilis]

Oh good, Ethel came up with the info for you.

I knew there'd been a change in the law, but I wasn't sure of the details seeing as they don't apply in my case.

[danroll]

thanks both for your answers.

however, there is another site which provides contradicting information. (although direct.gov is a much reliable source.).

Ethel - would you mind taking a look at the following and advising please:

http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/preg/preg_dad05.a sp

your help is greatly appreciated.

[Aprilis]

Dan, if you check this page the site acknowledges that you have automatic parental responsibility if you're registered on the birth certificate and your child was born after Dec 2003.

http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/preg/preg_dad06.a sp

I hope that brings the correct page up.

[Aprilis]

Oh good, it did link to the right page and it would seem you have nothing to worry about where your rights as a father are concerned.

[Ethel]

Dan, your link says 'Without a parental responsibility agreement.....'

So that link is correct in circumstances that don't apply to you. You don't need a parental responsibility agreement because you automatically have parental responsibility by being on the birth certificate and because your daughter was born after December 2003, as Aprilis has already stated.

:)