The mother of a child and father (if he is married to the mother), automatically have parental responsibility.
Where parents are not married to each other:
- Fathers get parental responsibility, if they act with mothers to have their name recorded in the child's birth registration. This applies from 1st December 2003 onwards.
An unmarried father can obtain parental responsibility by later marrying the child's mother. This is by making a parental responsibility agreement with her, or by getting a court order. You may wish to think about this if you have other children.
For more details or advice, contact:
- Website: Family lives.
- Telephone: 0808 800 2222.
- Textphone: 0800 783 6783.
Otherwise, get legal advice.