The information the case manager asks for will depend on what answer the applicant gave about how they gained parental rights and responsibilities. There is no need for an applicant to send original copies of any documents. Scans or photographs of documents is is preferred.

If the applicant states that either they’re the child’s:

• birth mother
• biological father and the child is born on or after 04 May 2006 then the case manager should ask to see a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

A biological father can also gain parental rights and responsibilities by being married to the child’s mother. The marriage can have happened at any time on or after the child was conceived. The case manager should ask to see a copy of the marriage certificate between the applicant and the child’s mother. The case manager may also need to see a copy of the child’s birth certificate in order to check that the person who the father is married to is the child’s mother.

If an applicant states that they are a member of a same-sex couple and they have parental rights and responsibilities, case managers should ask to see any official documents that confirm this. This may be a birth certificate, court order, or something else.

Other supporting information that would be appropriate to ask for, depending on what is stated in the application form, could be:

• a court order
• a Parental Rights and Responsibilities Agreement.

If the applicant does not have official documents, case managers should accept any document from a public authority that refers to the applicant as the child’s:

• mother
• father
• person with parental rights and responsibilities
• legal guardian.

Case managers should seek advice if they’re unsure whether to accept a piece of supporting information.