Unwed fathers may get parental rights
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.UNMARRIED fathers who register their babies' births may be given automatic parental rights under plans being considered by the Lord Chancellor's Department.
However, a father would have to go along with the child's mother to record his details on a child's birth certificate.
Now, under the Children Act, unmarried fathers can get full paternal rights only by making a formal agreement with the mother, or through the courts.
The department yesterday announced a three-month consultation period in which it will look at comments on whether it should be made easier for unmarried fathers to acquire parental responsibility - and therefore a number of rights - subject to a number of safeguards.
A consultation paper says that automatic rights could be given to certain categories of fathers, such as those who go to register the birth with the mother.
This could be of benefit to partners who have simply chosen not to marry, or parents who want to take joint responsibility for their child, but do not wish to continue their own relationship.
Any changes making it easier for some fathers to have more access to their children would contain safeguards to protect families where the woman has been raped or otherwise victimised.
The move was welcomed by the pressure group Families Need Fathers. The chairman, Jim Parton, said: "This consultation paper is long overdue. There are too many cases caught up in litigation at the moment.
"Automatic parental responsibility would be a very good thing. It would also make child support payments less resented by those fathers who have to pay but have to fight for parental responsibility."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments