What is a Statutory Declaration of Acknowledgement of Parentage?
A Statutory Declaration of Acknowledgement of Parentage (Stat Dec) is a legal form used by the unmarried parents of a child. It can be filled in by a parent who cannot attend the registration of their stillborn child. It must be produced at the time of registration by the 'other' attending parent.
It can be obtained from any register office in England and Wales.
The declaration must be witnessed before one of the following people:
- A Justice of the Peace
- A Magistrate
- A Commissioner for Oaths
- A practising Solicitor
- A Notary Public
- A Licensed Conveyancer
- An authorised Advocate or an authorised Litigator
- Any officer holding rank not below that of Lieutenant Commander, Major or Squadron Leader may attest the declaration if you are serving in the Armed Forces in a foreign country
- Certain British Consular Officers can witness the declaration if you are in a foreign country
- A Prison Governor may sign, but only if qualified in one of the above capacities.
Please note: some of the above may charge a fee for their service.