No. Although this leave and pay is called ‘Statutory Paternity Leave’ and ‘Statutory Paternity Pay’, it is not exclusively for married men. Paternity leave and pay can be claimed by one of the people within any couple, whether heterosexual or same-sex and whether married, in a civil partnership or co-habiting. In other words, where one person in the couple is giving birth to or adopting the child, paternity leave and pay may be due to the other.