Father of a child

When the father of a child/ren applies for Sole Parent Support, they must:

• be the natural or adoptive father of the child or
• have care of the child and must have cared for the child with their partner before becoming a sole parent

For more information see:

• Determining who is a parent

A client can be considered the natural father of a child when they:

• were legally married to or in a civil union with to the natural mother at the time of conception or birth
• are named on the birth certificate as the father
• are named in a court declaration or a paternity order as the father of the child
• are a person who has acknowledged that he is the father in a court proceeding and the court has not found to the contrary or
• are appointed as a guardian of the child by reason of being the father of the child

A father is required to provide proof that they are the natural or adoptive father of a child. If there is no proof, you should not grant Sole Parent Support.

You should suggest that the client consult a solicitor in order to apply to the courts for either a declaration of paternity or to be named as a guardian.

Note the father of a child may be any gender. The natural mother may also be any gender but must have been pregnant with the child.