Lucinda Connell, Solicitor with Family Law Specialists, Major Family Law, Newcastle states the Home Office is considering plans to include mothers’ names on marriage certificates. At present, marriage certificates in England and Wales require only the names and occupations of the fathers of the bride and the groom. There is neither a legal requirement nor space on the certificate for mothers’ names.
Marriage certificates in Scotland and Northern Ireland already include mothers’ names and both mothers and fathers are recorded on a civil partnership certificate.
More than 100 MPs from all parties are calling for the “offensive and outdated” law to be changed so that women are not written out of history. Culture Secretary, Sajid Javid, has promised to look into changing the law.