New Zealand Enhances Birth Certificate Regulations for Same-Sex Parents

Parents registering the birth of their child will now have the option to designate themselves as ‘mother,’ ‘father,’ or ‘parent’ on the child’s birth certificate.

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden announced that the New Zealand Government is introducing greater flexibility for same-sex parents by amending the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Regulations.

Parents registering the birth of their child will now have the option to designate themselves as ‘mother,’ ‘father,’ or ‘parent’ on the child’s birth certificate. “This change provides parents with greater choice in how they identify and recognize the diversity within families in New Zealand,” Ms. van Velden stated.

Supporting Diverse Families

The new policy aims to reflect the identities of various family structures. For instance, two mothers can both be listed as ‘mother’ on their child's birth certificate. “This Government believes in the freedom of choice for individuals, and I am proud to deliver this change that empowers parents,” she emphasized.

Alignment with Existing Laws

The regulations will be updated to align with the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021. They are expected to be passed later this year and come into effect in December 2024. Importantly, this policy will not alter the data collected by the Department regarding who gave birth to the child, nor will it impact existing adoption laws for parents who have children via surrogacy.