Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 9 February 2016 to Question 25738, what subsequent steps have been taken in preparing a timetable for legislative proposals to amend marriage certificates so that they include the mother's name.

It is accepted that to only include the details of the fathers of the couple and not that of the mothers in a marriage register entry is outdated and that the names of both parents should be included. The Home Office continues to work with all interested parties to consider the most efficient and effective way of achieving this change.

Any change to the marriage register entry would involve amending computer systems and changes to legislation. We continue to seek suitable legislative opportunities to bring forward reform in this area and a timetable will be made available as soon as an opportunity arises to legislate.