There is a little-known law for parents who marry after having children which has caused some confusion.
According to the law, parents who got married after having children need to re-register their child's birth - and it doesn't matter if the natural father is already on the certificate. It seems many parents are unaware the legislation even exists, while others have been reportedly told about it, but told it is unnecessary.
A link to the government's LA1 form for people to re-register has been shared among Facebook groups, with some parents questioning whether they need to take any action. The MEN spoke to a solicitor to get her to explain the law for parents.
READ MORE: Mum considers renaming her twins after watching popular TV show
She described how the legislation relates to a time when illegitimate children could not inherit from their parents, but as it's now outdated it's unlikely parents will be fined for not re-registering their child's birth.
Katharine Marshall, associate solicitor at WHN Solicitors, which has seven offices across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, said: “When people who already have children together get married, under the Legitimacy Act 1976 parents must re-register the birth of their children, regardless of whether the natural father was included on the child’s birth certificate at the time of original registration. You need to do this through a form LA1.
“The re-registration is not to grant the father parental responsibility - he’d already have this as an unmarried father, provided he was included on the original birth certificate - but for the child to be recognised as a ‘child of the marriage’.
"The Legitimacy Act 1976 stems from days when the legitimacy of a child would impact inheritance, but this no longer applies, provided there’s proof they’re a child of the parent - yet the Legitimacy Act 1976 remains."
It is possible for parents to face a small fine for not filling in the form, but Katharine says she's never heard of any such scenario.
She said: "Failure to re-register may incur a nominal £2 fine, but I’m yet to come across any parent who has been charged. I’m sure there’s a huge number of families who have no idea this requirement even exists."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Ninja issues warning to anyone buying an air fryer after 'unprecedented' demand
Martin Lewis warning to all who pay energy bills by direct debit
DVLA £1,000 fine warning to any driver who wears glasses
Soldier, 18, who walked beside Queen's coffin at funeral found dead in barracks
UK shops recall fruit over health fear which could make people sick for months
