Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I do not wish to prolong the debate on this but I did check Jeffrey Shannon's excellent book which contains no reference to the natural father needing to be named on the birth certificate. Clearly, however, he must be the natural father for the statutory declaration to be made. If an issue arose, proof would be required that he is the natural father because the right attaches only to the natural father. Clearly, this would be an extension of the right to a statutory declaration creation of guardianship. I raise this because this happens only with the consent of the natural mother. Otherwise, the court application must be made. This is a useful mechanism.