MADISON (NBC 26) — Wisconsin parents will have a new, gender-neutral option for identifying the parents of a child on birth certificates, Gov. Tony Evers announced Monday.
Beginning July 1, birth forms used to generate birth certificates will be updated to include an option for "parent-parent," in addition to "mother-father."
The announcement from Gov. Tony Evers with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) says the change reflects the Administration's commitment to gender-neutral terminology.
Earlier this month, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #121 directing state agencies to use gender-neutral language in their external communications.
“We are working hard to make Wisconsin a more inclusive, equitable, and just state and this update ensures our LGBTQ Wisconsinites are seen and heard when welcoming a child into the world,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “Updating our birth certificate forms is one important step on the long road to adopting gender-neutral language in all of our external documents.”
A statement from the Governor's office said other changes to the birth forms include using "parent giving birth," and making the forms available in English, Spanish, and Hmong starting July 1.
After July 1, 2021, individuals who would like to request that the label on their or their child's existing birth certificate be switched to parent-parent can contact the Vital Records Office by email or by calling 608-266-1373.
