What is Parental Responsibility (PR)?

Parental Responsibility (PR) means that the person concerned has all of the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority that a parent of a child has by law (as defined in the Children Act 1989).

The mother shall automatically have PR over a child.

An alleged father will not be able to claim PR unless he acquires it by:

• Marrying or entering into a civil partnership with the mother;
• Having his name registered or re-registered on the birth certificate if his name is not already registered;
• Entering into a parental responsibility agreement with the mother;
• Obtaining a parental responsibility order from the court;
• Having obtained a residence order prior to 22/4/2014;
• Being named as the resident parent under a child arrangements order;

People other than parents may acquire PR by appointment as a guardian or by an order of the court.

In cases where the alleged father signs on behalf of the child, we always ask to see proof of Parental Responsibility e.g., the full birth certificate or a marriage certificate to the mother. This can be sent us to by email.

We will not process any samples without the appropriate consent and evidence of this where it is any person other than the child’s mother signing on behalf of the child. This will effect your expected results due date if we have not received this evidence before the samples arrive with us. 

Helpful information regarding who may have Parental Responsibility can be found here.