[jessie jo]

Does the father of my baby have any rights to the baby if we are not married

[JudyKayTee]

He has no rights until he goes to Court and asks for them - there are rights which are inherent to the father but they must be granted by the Court. If you have physical custody of the child, then you get to make all of the decisions until the Court steps in.

[Maccaroni]

In England the father would have the same rights as the mum if his name was on the birth certificate and he was in a relationship with the mum at the time of birth. Because the mum and dad aren't married he would also have to be present when the birth was registered to be on the register. It used to be that you had to be married but that has become impractical as many people chose not to get married before they have there first child. X

[Fr_Chuck]

The father has rights, but can not use them until the child is born, if you don't list him on the birth certificate, he will have to apply to the court for a DNA test to be proven the father. But his rights are there, it is just getting the courts to enforce them

[JudyKayTee]

In England the father would have the same rights as the mum if his name was on the birth certificate and he was in a relationship with the mum at the time of birth. Because the mum and dad aren't married he would also have to be present when the birth was registered to be on the register. It used to be that you had to be married but that has become impractical as many people chose not to get married before they have there first child. x

This is not correct - as I said, the father HAS inherent rights but only the Court can force the mother (in this case) to allow him to use them. Being the father on the because does NOT entitle the father to custody or visitation.

I am not aware that this was every any different in the UK or anywhere else. Marriage, the name on the birth certificate, does not entitle the non-custodial parent to anything.

You work in Social Services, I believe - ?