A mother from Devon, Hannah Jungle, has faced widespread criticism after publicly stating her refusal to register the birth of her two-year-old daughter. Her controversial decision stems from a belief that registering a birth transforms a child into a “legal person,” which she views as a “contract with the government.” Jungle claims that by not registering her daughter, she is preventing the state from controlling her child through “statutes and legislation,” thereby preserving her daughter's “sovereignty.”

According to Hannah Jungle, her daughter has “zero government paperwork,” lacking a birth certificate, a national insurance number, and an entry in any government database. She asserts that her child “exists completely outside of their system,” viewing her as “a free living being with natural rights” that originate from her mere existence, rather than from government permission. This perspective leads Jungle to believe that her daughter, not being a “person in their legal system,” is exempt from statutes and remains free.

However, this stance directly contradicts legal requirements in most countries, including the UK, where parents are mandated to register a child's birth within 42 days at a local registry office. A birth certificate is a crucial legal document that establishes a child's identity, date of birth, and parentage. It is essential for numerous aspects of life, such as applying for a passport, enrolling in school, accessing healthcare services, and claiming benefits.

Failing to register a birth carries significant legal and practical ramifications. An unregistered individual lacks official proof of their name, age, or parentage, making it exceedingly difficult to obtain travel documents, driver's licenses, or any form of identification. Access to healthcare and benefits becomes problematic, and school enrollment presents a considerable challenge. More seriously, citizenship and nationality can be hard to establish, potentially complicating matters of inheritance, custody, or parental rights. In the UK, missing the registration deadline can lead to formal warnings, fines of up to £200 under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, and in rare cases, court action.

Despite these severe potential consequences, Hannah Jungle remains unfazed. She acknowledges the “challenges” her decision creates but adamantly maintains that her daughter’s “freedom is worth every single one of them.”

Jungle's revelation, shared on TikTok under the username @hannah.jungle, quickly garnered over 91,800 views and a barrage of criticism. Social media users expressed bafflement and outrage, with many highlighting the immense difficulties the child will face. Comments ranged from calling it “the stupidest thing I've ever heard” to questioning how the child would manage education, employment, bank accounts, marriage, passports, healthcare, driving, or even obtaining a home or any ID. Concerns were raised about the legal repercussions, with one user predicting, “You will end up in court, when she turns 18 that kid will face serious problems,” and another lamenting, “You're just setting her up for a future of headaches tbh.”