It is now a whole lot easier for female couples to claim parental rights.

As of February 21, both members will no longer have to go through the adoption process to have their name on their newborn’s birth certificate.

The province says the process will now be a legal agreement signed by the sperm donor, before the baby is conceived, to be clear on parental rights.

Until Wednesday, if a known donor was used, the couple would have to adopt to get their name on the birth registration; if the donor was anonymous, couples did not face that hurdle.

Minister of Service Nova Scotia, Colton LeBlanc says, the birth of a baby should be ‘joyful’.

“These changes will mean parents can focus on what’s most important – raising their new baby.”

The province also says a court order is no longer required to apply to Vital Statistics when using a surrogate, to include names on the birth certificate.

These agreements, will cost about $1,000, compared to the $5,000 or more it would take to apply to the court.

In 2023, 27 female couples registered a birth using assisted conception, while 14 babies were born using surrogacy.