Reregistering birth after marriage

Kelinik

Interesting that this has come up as we have ummed and ahhhed for the past year about whether to re-register our girls (since we first were told about it even though we've been married since 2004!). We have only recently decided to do it as it made us feel uneasy initially, as though like someone else said we were either ashamed or trying to change history.

In the end though we decided it was better that our kids be seen as 'equal' by the law just to keep things simple and straightforward. I do think it's a bit ridiculous that it's necessary really though - the law needs an update!

neneromanova

So what do I do about DD1 who isn't OH's biological child?

rachbc

neneromanova wrote: »

So what do I do about DD1 who isn't OH's biological child?

write good wills!!

MegS

We were married in Canada (2006) and our marriage isn't registered here, does that make a difference? DS was born in 1999. We're not having any more children either.

meritaten

Its to do with stupid archaic laws about legitamacy which havent been taken off the books. I think it has something to do with a law about 'a child being born within a marraige' as opposed to a 'child being born outside wedlock'. at one time this was very important in inheritance law and I think its still in force today.
You would probably be right that a good will would be enough - unless you are a member of the aristocracy and the eldest child born within a marraige would inherit the title (and the stately home etc)!

evi3000

Emailed the relevant people. Below is their response.

As you have subsequently married your childrens natural father after their births there is a requirement in law for you to apply for their births to be re-registered. This is under the Legitimacy Act 1976.

The re-registrations would overwrite the original birth entries and the children would have completely new birth entries to show them as a children of your marriage.

You can find further information concerning re-registration together with the application form LA1 which you will need to complete.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Registeringlifeevents/Birthandadoptionrecords/Registeringorchangingabirthrecord/DG_175620

You may also obtain the LA1 application form from any register office in England or Wales.

So, there's the offcial line - didn't bother asking why! Looks like when we move back to the UK we'll have to get the kids reregistered.

shy-but-need-help

That's all the reasoning I need for not getting it done then- I have no desire to have my daughters birth record overwriten, it makes it seem like the fact she was born before we were married should be treated like a big dirty secret to be brushed under the carpet, absolutely ridiculous in this day and age. Anyone looking into our family history would be able to see very plainly she was born before we were married the minute they look at the dates.

denton6

we had our first two sons before we were married, then had two more sons once married. we are now in the process of being divorced. Should i still change the details now to protect the rights of our oldest boys? have printed out the forms from the link above so maybe should just send them anyway. Two oldest boys are now 23 and 19. we went on to be then married for 16 years. things really need to be made clearer, i didnt no anything about this until i read this thread.

shellsuit

shy-but-need-help wrote: »

That's all the reasoning I need for not getting it done then- I have no desire to have my daughters birth record overwriten, it makes it seem like the fact she was born before we were married should be treated like a big dirty secret to be brushed under the carpet, absolutely ridiculous in this day and age. Anyone looking into our family history would be able to see very plainly she was born before we were married the minute they look at the dates.

Exactly my thinking too and the reason I don't want to re-register the little man.