WILLEMSTAD – Parents in Curaçao will now be able to have a stillborn child recognized by the father through the civil registry without first going through a court procedure.
The new measure is intended as a temporary solution while authorities work on a permanent amendment to the law.
The change follows a court ruling which highlighted that current legislation does not always provide sufficient legal options for an unmarried father to formally recognize a stillborn child.
In some cases, parents were required to start legal proceedings in order to establish recognition and register the child’s name.
Under the new practical arrangement, parents can now record the father’s recognition of the child directly with the civil registry. If they wish, the child’s surname can also be officially registered.
The information will then be included in the civil registry records.
The measure is intended to prevent families from having to go through a burdensome legal process during an already emotionally difficult time.
Meanwhile, work is underway on a permanent legislative change that would formally incorporate this possibility into the law.