Registration as Voluntary

[AllSeeingEye]

I understand that any registration in the legal sense is voluntary...is this true?

Also, once you register something, you cease to have total ownership of it...is this true?

For example, I do not wish to register the birth of my child as I do not want to make that decision for them as I do not own them..they can choose to become a member of the society if they wish, just as they can choose to be christened.

I do not need any of the services or benefits that that society offers, for example, child benefit, national healthcare nor education, so what difference does it make?

I also understand that the word 'duty' means it is voluntary in the legal sense, is that so?

[Buenchico]

In your opinion, does 'the right to choose' include the right to choose which country to live in (or simply to visit)? If a birth isn't registered, the child will later face almost insurmountable difficulties in obtaining a passport.

There seems to be nothing 'voluntary', in law, when the relevant legislation creates an offence of failing to provide the relevant information. (Even though the fine doesn't seem to have been amended since 1953; it's only �2).

The relevant legislation, regarding the committing of an offence by not registering a birth, is in the 1953 Act:
http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/LegResults.aspx?L egType=All+Primary&PageNumber=11&NavFrom=2&act iveTextDocId=538583&linkToATDocumentId=554210& linkToATVersionNumber=1&linkToSearchEnacted=0& linkToSearchDay=1&linkToLocale=E%2bW&linkToMat chExactLocale=0&linkToSearchMonth=2&linkToSear chYear=1991

However, if you want up-to-date information about registering births, you also need to see the 1987 Regulations:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1987/Uksi_19872088 _en_1.htm

(There are also other minor amendments, but they're not relevant here).

Chris

[cascarelli]

Well, I've heard just about everything now!!

You don't want to make a decision for them? One as simple as registering their birth? But you made a pretty big decision didnt you when you decided to have the child. Did you consult the child on that decision? And you're going to have a hell of a lot of decisions to make in the coming days/months/years for this child. That's what parents do though, they take responsibility for their child.

You don't need the services or benefits that society offers? You mean that you never step outside your front door, walk on a public street? What will happen when your child is sick and you need the services of an ambulance or A&E? Oh, sorry yes, you'll wait till the child is old enough till it can tell you what it wants to do!

Dear oh Lord! We get them all on here!