Single parent and birth cert

G20

I need this info purely for a novel I'm writing. I describe a scene in about 1990, when a little girl is being brought to school for the first time. The mother a single parent is asked for the child's birth cert.
Questions: would she be asked for the cert on the first day or would this have been sent into the school earlier?
Must the father's name appear on the short form of the cert?
In this case can the child be called by the surname of the mother?

Perhaps all this varies from one school to another. A teacher might be able to throw some light on this for me.

Any help appreciated.

E.T.

I don't know about the names, but generally we ask for birth certs to be sent in with the child's enrolment pack in the Spring before they start school. This might vary from school to school though. Not sure about 1990 as I was still in school myself!

byhookorbycrook

In ours earlier than the first day. No need for dad's name if parents not together and father not involved.

G20

I found both replies very useful, so thanks a mil folks.

I've now written the passage and I think I'll be able to stand over it.

G20