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Frontpage/Your situation/Being a social parent

Be­ing a so­ci­al pa­rent

A social parent is someone who fulfills the role of a parent in a child's life but is not officially recognised as a legal parent. Here, you can learn more about how to become a legal parent or obtain custody if you are not officially registered as a legal parent. You can also learn about how your child can take a social parent's middle or last name.

Adop­tion

You can become the parent of a child that you were not registered as the parent of at birth. This requires that you meet the conditions for adoption. Adoption is subject to both general and specific requirements, depending on the type of adoption.

Pa­ren­tage

You can become the legal parent of your child by being registered before or after the child's birth or by adopting at a later date. It is important to understand that you only have some rights and obligations if you have parental authority.

Cu­stody

Together with your co-parents, you can establish agreements regarding custody, residence, and cohabitation. These arrangements define the rights and responsibilities each of you holds towards your child. It’s important to note that such rights and obligations only apply if you are recognised as the child’s legal parent.

Na­mes

You or your child can take a new name based on gender identity. There are specific rules regarding what you can name your child, who can assign the child’s middle or surname, and how, as a social parent, you can pass on your middle or surname to the child.

Ma­ter­nity leave

As a social parent, you may be eligible for parental leave with parental benefits in certain cases. To qualify, you must meet the requirements for receiving parental benefits, be recognised as a social parent under the Parental Leave Act, and have one of the legal parents transfer part of their parental leave to you.