Does an unmarried Father have any rights to nameing his Baby in the UK??

Question

I dont agree to the name my Ex has chosen for our as yet unborn daughter, do i have any legal rights with regard to her naming, i dont think she will even let me give her a middle name.

And to all those who have opinions about her being my ex, and why am i bothered, etc, BUTT OUT

Answer 1

I don't know about the UK, but the Father has Minimal rights in the USA.  The Mother would get to choose the name.  I sympathize with you, she should be happy that you want to be involved in your child's life.   I hope she can put all differences aside when it comes to the care of your daughter.  Congratulations and Good Luck xox

Answer 2

Unless we are on good terms.No.We have no rights at all.My ex called

our son a ridiculous name.Which is one of the reasons she is my ex.

Answer 3

Unless you are on the birth certificate you have no parental rights at all. Unless you go to court of course!  

I can understand how you must be feeling but instead of fighting her over this why don't you try and keep the peace so you'll be allowed access. Surely that's the important part?

Have you asked if you can choose the middle name?  Try and keep everything sweet and you never know what might happen.

Good luck

x x x  

Answer 4

No you don't. You also don't have any 'parental responsibility' for the child (even though your names on the birth certificate). The only way to change that is to go and see a solicitor.

Answer 5

No rights wotsoever!

Answer 6

With regards to naming your child you may not have any rights but the law is changing and I would advise you to let it rest for now but get her to agree to allow you to sign the birth certificate to ensure that you get parental rights for major decision in your daughters life.

You never know during the registration you may get to add a name of your own

If you don't get any input into her name give her a special name that could be used by you and your family

Check out the following website it has lots of advice for unmarried fathers

http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index...

Good luck  

Answer 7

I'm sorry, but as far as I know there is no rights that you have in naming your and her child. If you are not married to the women then she have the right to name the child as she pleases.

Answer 8

You will need to have parental responsibilty and then you have the rights to choosing the kid's name as well as day to day things like choosing which school , (in terms you and your ex will have same rights).

read this:

What's Parental Responsibility and do I have it?

When a baby is born, his mother automatically gets Parental Responsibility (PR) for him. PR is a legal term that means 'all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority' that go with being a parent. It is a duty to care for and protect a child.

As a dad, you automatically get PR if:

• You are married to the baby's mother

• Your baby was born after December 1st 2003 (when a new law was introduced), and you are named as his father on the birth certificate.

If you fall into one of those categories, then you won't need to worry about applying for PR. If your situation is different, or you want further information about PR, read on to find out more ...

Why do I need PR?

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You don't need PR for your day-to-day role as a dad. Most of the time you wouldn't even think about it - you and your partner probably make the small, everyday decisions together about how your child is brought up. However, PR does give you the legal right to be consulted about the big decisions in your child's life. And that stands until he reaches the age of 18. Amongst other things, PR allows you to:

• give consent to medical treatment for a child

• choose which school he goes to

• apply for a passport for him

• choose his religious upbringing

• decide where he will live

• consent to his marriage if he wants to marry before turning 18

• look after a property on his behalf.

For many families, PR simply confirms, by law, the way they view themselves anyway - as a secure unit. In tragic circumstances, it can be a very important thing to have. If the child's mother were to die, for example, having PR would make you the obvious person to look after him and be his legal parent and guardian. Although the court would almost certainly favour you in this situation, it's not guaranteed. Sometimes other relatives apply for PR, and things can get complicated.

If you and your partner are living together as if you were married, sharing PR probably seems like the right and natural thing to do.

I haven't got PR at the moment. How do I get it?

If you are the child's natural father, PR can be obtained by:

• marrying his mother

• making a PR agreement with his mother

• re-registering his birth - ensuring that you are named as his father on the birth certificate

• applying to the court for an order (if the child's mother has refused to make an agreement with you, or you're unable to add your name to the birth certificate).

How do we make a Parental Responsibility agreement?

You will need one form for each child. Download your forms, find them on the HMCS website or get them from your local Family Proceedings or County Court. The instructions for filling them in are on the back - these must be followed carefully.

You will have to sign the forms at the Family Proceedings Court, or a County Court. Alternatively, you could go to the Principal Registry of the Family Division in London - the address is on the form.

Make sure you take the correct documents with you. These are listed on the form, too. If you can't find the children's birth certificates you will need to get replacements. You can get these from the office where their births were registered or use the General Register Office website to get one.

Once you have signed the forms you must send two copies of each to the Principal Registry. Provided everything is in order, the Registry will record the agreement, stamp the forms and send them back to you. There is no fee for this.

How can we change our child's birth certificate so my name's on it?

If you're the child's natural father and you want your name to be added to his birth certificate, you will have to re-register his birth. The General Register Office has all the information you will need, and application forms to download.

Answer 9

No and if you aren't on the birth certificate you will need to go to court to get parental responsibility too. Your best bet is getting on her good side and talking about it between you, calmly. If that isn't going to happen then there isn't anything you can do.  

Answer 10

No, I'm sorry but I don't think you do. Your best chance is to talk to your ex calmly about this and try to find a name you agree on! Communication is key!

Good luck

Answer 11

No rights on names at all.

Answer 12

no you don't I'm a mother who went through same thing,i called my son nathan and my surname and my ex hated that but it was more to do with the fact that he had no control over the situation and he dumped me than the name, as he wasn't on the birth certificate and we were not married there was nothing he could do.

i hope things work out for you and a name is just a name so keep that in mind and maybe you could give your little baby a little cute pet name only you and your family will use to make them feel special that's what my dad did with me I'm 36 now and they still use it and i love that...even though its f***y loo!!!

Answer 13

I don't know about legal rights but as her father you certainly do have a right to be a part of this. It sounds like your ex needs to learn to seperate her feelings about you as an ex and do whats right for your child. You may not be together but you will always be in each others lives as you have your daughter connecting you forever.

Can you try explaining that your baby needs to come before point scoring against each other. I hope things work out for you all .

Answer 14

hey, sorry but no you dont have any rights here. Even the surname of the baby is up to her and she does not even need to name you on the birth certificate. If the child is to have your surname, and your not married, this will cost you. I think youare on a losing battle here, but try to stay amicable becasue at the end of the day i presume you want access to this child? If so surely keeping the peace and keeping access is more important that the childs name?

If things got really bad you could seek legal advice over custidy/access etc

Hope it works out for you

x

Answer 15

No....you dont ubless you have custody.