Generally the wrong father’s name can only be removed from the child’s birth certificate by an application if:
- DNA tests prove he is not the biological father of the child or
- A court order states that the man named on the birth certificate is not the child’s natural father.
Pursuant to S55A Family Law Act 1986 which came into effect in 2001 allows an application to be made to the Court for a Declaration of Parentage 0rder. Those who can apply are:
- The mother
- the natural father
- the man named on the birth certificate
- any person with legal responsibility for the child
A DNA test from an approved subscriber must be provided together with the full birth certificate of the child. DNA tests obtained for “peace of mind” are not suitable for legal purposes.
Part III of the Family Reform Act 1969 empowers the Court to direct the use of scientific tests to determine the parentage during the course of civil proceedings and this was originally carried out by means of blood tests being carried out but the Family Reform Act 1987 updated the law to take account of the availability of DNA tests.
S55A Family Law Act 1986 (7) provides that an officer of the court shall notify the Registrar General at the General Registrar 0ffice of the order made with a copy of the court order, DNA test results and the child’s birth certificate being supplied and then the Registrar General will remove the name from the child’s birth certificate.
How can we help?
If you have any queries regarding removing the wrong father from a Child’s Birth Certificate, then please contact our specialised family teams at our offices. We have teams in Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Newark, Sleaford and Spalding in which we will take time to listen to your enquiry in a friendly and empathetic nature. At Ringrose Law our motto is ‘where individuals count’. This is our core belief and we aim to make our clients feel valued from being first greeted by reception to speaking to one of our many fully qualified, experienced Solicitors. We know at Ringrose Law that satisfaction is linked to service, so we will always provide the best service we can to you as we know that is exactly what you expect when you either make a phone call to us or walk through the door of one of our many branches.