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28 November 2003

Dear Colleague,

DECEASED FATHERS - HOW TO REGISTER A MAN AS THE FATHER OF A CHILD CONCEIVED AFTER HIS DEATH

In September you received a letter from Suzi Leather regarding the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Deceased Fathers) Act 2003 and the consent requirements that are necessary under that Act for a man to be recorded as the father of a child born as a result of fertility treatment that took place after his death.  At that time, you were informed that further guidance detailing the full range of requirements and documentation (including revised consent forms) needed to effect the birth registration would follow. 

The Act is due to come into force fully on December 1 and I am therefore writing to enclose this additional guidance.  Whilst the requirement for the man's written consent to be recorded as the father of a posthumous child has been in force since September 18 (when the Act became law) the other provisions, in particular those relating to the time limits within which birth registration/re-registration must take place, come into force on December 1.

Copies of this guidance and related forms are available on the HFEA website (www.hfea.gov.uk) and on the website of the Office for National Statistics (www.ons.gov.uk).  If you have any questions or require any additional urgent information please contact Dr Peter Mills by phone on 020 7539 3308 or by e-mail at peter.mills@hfea.gov.uk.

Yours faithfully,

Angela McNab
Chief Executive

Page last updated: 24 August 2012

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