Same-Sex Parents to be Recognised On Passport

 

The UK Identity and Passport Service is planning to amend passport application forms to deal with same-sex parents applying for a passport on behalf of a child.

Currently, passport applicants have been required to provide details of their mother and father.

The new form to be introduced by December 2011 will in addition provide for “parent 1” and “parent 2”.

The change has been made following claims the original form was ‘discriminatory’ and failed to recognise same-sex couples who are both officially registered as a child’s parents.

The Identity and Passport Service stated it was necessary to incorporate same-sex parents on the form so that accurate information is collected.

The latest shift follows lobbying from gay rights groups such as Stonewall.

The Home Office ‘Diversity Strategy’ states: ‘IPS [the Identity and Passport Service] is working with Stonewall in response to an issue about having to name a “mother” and “father” on the passport application form.’