Kidspot Parenting

Mum can't name fiancé on birth certificate because they weren't married

Laura Aubusson |

Natasha Hull's partner died days before their daughter was born.

Mum can't name fiancé on birth certificate because they weren't married


Natasha Hull was eight-and-a-half-months pregnant when she tragically and suddenly lost her partner, Marcus Batista.

The 37-year-old died from heart failure, after hospital tests earlier in the month had revealed he had an enlarged heart.

Eleven days later the grieving mother welcomed their daughter into the world, without the baby's daddy by her side.

Now in a devastating blow, the 32-year-old new mum is fighting a lengthy legal battle to have Marcus' name put on the birth certificate.



Marcus tragically died 11 days before the birth of his baby girl. Source: SWNS 


"Knowing who her father is will be a huge part of her identity"

Natasha and Marcus’ daughter, Danika, was delivered by caesarean section on November 9, 2016 in Dorset, England.

Soon after the bittersweet arrival Natasha was told she could not put Marcus' name as the father on the birth certificate because, despite being engaged to him, the couple were not married.

“Marcus came to every doctor's appointment and there was documentation that he was her father. He even announced the news on Facebook," she says.

“I didn't want to leave her father's name blank on the form - knowing who her father is will be a huge part of her identity - so I had to go to court for the right to get his name on there.”



Natasha is fighting to have little Danika's dad recorded on her birth certificate. Source: SWNS


Natasha had to carry out a DNA paternity test

Since Danika's birth nearly five months ago, Natasha has been asked to carry out a DNA paternity test and provide a declaration of parentage form at a court hearing - a form which doesn't even apply to her situation.

“The form I was told to provide is usually used when there is a dispute over parentage, but I have paperwork proving that Marcus is her father,” she says.

“There just doesn't seem to be any separate relevant form for my situation.”

She has also had to pay £400 ($500) to carry out a DNA test against the DNA of one of Marcus' two young sons, aged eight and four, from a previous relationship.

The test proved that Danika is 1,000 times more likely to be related to her two half-siblings than unrelated.

Natasha has been asked to attend a second court hearing, but is still waiting to be advised of the date.



Natasha says Danika was born of her love for Marcus. Source: SWNS.


"It's a symbolic connection, she was created out of our love"

Natasha has had to defend her request to have Marcus’ name on the birth certificate after being asked by both the courts and the birth registry for her reasons. She says it is extremely important that it is officially recorded.

“Even the judge asked me why I wanted his name on the birth certificate, but it's a symbolic connection - as Marcus had said, she was created out of our love,” she says.

“I was so completely lost when Marcus died, but when I got to meet my baby it was the most beautiful moment. She is my connection to Marcus and I can see so much of him in her.”

Natasha is also waiting for the results of a clinical negligence investigation currently being carried out against the hospital that diagnosed Marcus, after they failed to recognise the severity of his condition and the medication they prescribed produced no improvement.