Marriage, Parentage and Child Registration in Iran: Legal Status of Children of Unmarried Parents

In the contemporary legal system in Iran, child registration is closely tied to Islamic marriage. The Civil Registration Law foresees a process for registering born Islamically married parents. This raises question of what happens children whose parents are not married. paper uses literature review and content analysis methods focuses on Iranian law, press media pieces, Shi’i rulings, academic ‘legitimacy’ unregistered phenomenon answer this question. I explore relationship between Iran’s marriage parentage law process. discusses consequences rendering legally ‘illegitimate’ children’s rights. conclusion addresses potential school Islam improve religious rulings and, consequently, possibility changing discriminatory laws regarding rights unmarried