MADISON, Wis. — Until now, parents could only identify themselves as “Mother” or “Father” on their child’s birth certificate. But now, there’s a gender neutral option for parents who don’t fit those labels.
On Monday, Gov. Tony Evers (D) and the state’s Department of Health Services announced that Wisconsin will offer new options for parents to identify as “Parent” and “Parent” instead of “Mother” and “Father” starting July 1.
Unity Point Meriter’s Family Liaison Outcomes Coordinator Laura Megna said having to walk couples through the process of how to fill out the old forms was “awkward” when one parent didn’t identify with those labels.
“All of us typically apologize that the world is a little father behind than we want it to be,” Megna said.
Several times a week, Megna described how she would have to explain to couples that one parent needed to write down their name under father, typically whomever wasn’t the parent giving birth.
“The last thing we want is to make anyone feel anything but comfortable and safe in the hospital,” she said. “When you are asking them to have some difficult conversations especially right after something as joyous as giving birth and wanting to be celebratory of their new world as a parent, it’s incredibly awkward.”
The old forms with the “Mother” and “Father” option are still available to parents who wish to use them. But now, there’s an option that can reflect all Wisconsin families.
“It’s amazing” said Mary Hendrickson, who is expecting her second child with her wife Kelsey Hendrickson in a few weeks.
The Hendricksons didn’t have the gender neutral option when they had their first child, Luella Hendrickson, two years ago. But, Mary Hendrickson contacted the Vital Records Office and requested the change anyway.
“It’s super important for our family,” she said. “I actually went through the process of getting our birth certificate changed to ‘Parent’ and ‘Parent’ before this was a thing.”
Megna said she understands the importance this holds for many families.
“A birth certificate isn’t just a piece of paper that we put in a file cabinet. It’s something that we need for so much of our life.”
Mary Hendrickson said she’s happy to know that when her second child comes into the world, she can experience the full excitement of adding on to her family rather than letting the paperwork soften the experience.
“I’m the biological mother to our child but my partner is obviously as much of a mother as I am,” Hendrickson said. “To have her listed as father was almost an insult to what she does on a daily basis. There’s also a feeling that the hospital cares about you and understands that it’s important to you.”
The updated birth forms will also include an option that states “Parent giving birth” that will be consistent with the State’s other Vital Records forms. The forms are also available in English, Spanish and Hmong.
Parents with already existing birth certificates can contact the Vital Records Office and request the change be made as well.
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