For two hundred years, marriage certificates have recorded the names and occupations of the fathers of the bride and groom, but not those of their mothers. The omission of mothers’ names from marriage certificates has been in force since the civil registration of births, deaths and marriages in 1837.
However, a cross-party campaign, led by Christian MP Dame Caroline Spelman and the Bishop of St Albans will ensure that this changes from 2018.
Dame Spelman is the Church of England’s official representative in the Commons while Reverend Alan Smith sits in the House of Lords.
They both presented identical bills in both chambers.
According to the paper, previous proposals were not taken further as they required that tens of thousands of register books be replaced and it also did not allow for same-sex marriages.
This will also include changes on civil partnership certificates.
The change was previously estimated to cost £13 million.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Harry Benson, Research Director of the Marriage Foundation said: “Having only the father’s name on the certificate is one reason why people mistakenly think marriage can be a patriarchal institution.”
Adrienne Burgess, joint chief executive of the Fatherhood Institute, also told The Sunday Times that this change was long overdue.
Spelman is a patron of the Conservative Christian Fellowship.
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