Parenthood and creation of a European Certificate of Parenthood - opinion - 26.6.23
On Monday, 26 June 2023, the FEMM Committee presented the draft opinion on “Jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition of decisions and acceptance of authentic instruments in matters of parenthood and on the creation of a European Certificate of Parenthood”.
The objective of the proposal is to strengthen the protection of the fundamental rights and other rights of children in cross-border situations, including their right to an identity, to non-discrimination and to a private and family life, and to succession and maintenance rights in another Member State, taking the best interests of the child as a primary consideration.
To address problems with the recognition of parenthood for all purposes and close the existing gap in Union law, the Commission is proposing the adoption of Union rules on international jurisdiction on parenthood and applicable law, so as to then facilitate the recognition in a Member State of the parenthood established in another Member State. It is also proposing the creation of a European Certificate of Parenthood that children (or their legal representatives) can request and use to provide evidence of their parenthood in another Member State.