'Protected Birth' Anonymous Pregnant Women Can Omit Biological Father's Information If Unknown

The 'Protected Birth System,' which institutionalizes anonymous birth and birth registration for mothers, will be implemented starting this July. Under this system, if the whereabouts of the child's biological father are unknown, related information may not be recorded.

On the 10th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that from the 11th until the 22nd of next month, it will publicly notify the draft enforcement decree and rules for the "Special Act on Crisis Pregnancy, Protected Birth Support, and Child Protection" (Crisis Pregnancy Protected Birth Act), as well as partial amendments to six laws including the Medical Service Act.

The establishment of the enforcement decree and rules aims to prepare detailed provisions in line with the enforcement of the Crisis Pregnancy Protected Birth Act on July 19. This Act provides counseling and various services to support pregnant women facing difficulties with pregnancy and childbirth, and institutionalizes protected birth, allowing crisis pregnant women to give birth anonymously at medical institutions when unavoidable.

When a child is born through protected birth, if the whereabouts of the biological father are unknown, related information does not need to be recorded on the birth certificate. If the biological father or mother has passed away or for medical purposes such as genetic disease treatment, the child's birth certificate can be disclosed regardless of parental consent.

Additionally, non-profit corporations or social welfare corporations must have conducted related work such as counseling for unmarried mothers for at least three years to be designated as a regional counseling center for crisis pregnant women. Regional counseling centers must have at least four qualified personnel, such as social workers of level 1 or 2, working and be able to respond 24 hours a day. Counseling centers provide support so that mothers can raise their children after birth and connect them to economic and legal support services. Counseling content is not disclosed to others.

Crisis pregnant women who apply for protected birth will be assigned a temporary number called a computerized management number and a pseudonym. Medical institutions can handle various tasks such as creating medical records and billing using the pseudonym and computerized management number. A 'Pregnant Woman Confirmation Certificate' will also be issued to crisis pregnant women so they can receive medical treatment under the pseudonym. The certificate is valid for six months after childbirth.

If the pregnant woman is under adult guardianship, a criminal minor (under 14 years old), or has impaired decision-making ability due to mental or physical disabilities, a guardian can apply for protected birth on her behalf. If the crisis pregnant woman withdraws her application for protected birth, the child will be returned to her. If adoption procedures are underway, those procedures will be suspended, and detailed withdrawal procedures have been established.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.