Parental Responsibility

Parents have the right to be involved in decisions such as where their child lives, their education, religion or medical treatment.

You automatically have Parental Responsibility if:

1. You are the biological mother of the child
2. You are the father of the child and are married to (or later marry) the mother
3. You are an unmarried father and are registered on the birth certificate having attended with the mother to register the birth for any child born after 1^st December 2003
4. You have adopted the child or have a Child Arrangements Order stating the child lives with you and are not the biological parents.

We provide free initial telephone consultations for all our clients. Call our specialist Child Law Solicitors now on 0844 800 9860 or contact us online for advice.

Obtaining Parental Responsibility

If a child was born prior to 1^st December 2003 and the father’s name is on the birth certificate but he is not and was not married to the mother he will not have automatic Parental Responsibility for the child.

Therefore an unmarried father who does not have Parental Responsibility is able to obtain it in the following ways:

1. He can re-register the birth with the mother to include his details on the birth certificate
2. He can make a Parental Responsibility agreement with the mother’s consent and agreement
3. If the mother refuses to make a Parental Responsibility agreement the father can apply to the Court for a Parental Responsibility Order

In the event that the person seeking parental responsibility is not the biological parent e.g. an aunt, uncle or grandparent, they can obtain parental responsibility by adoption, special guardianship or by the grant of a Child Arrangements Order stating the child lives with them.

Our Parental Responsibility Service

We can assist you with any application you may seek to make in respect of Parental Responsibility for a child and advise you if you are unsure of your rights.

We provide free initial telephone consultations for all our clients. Call our specialist Child Law Solicitors now on 0844 800 9860 or contact us online for advice.