Use this guide during pregnancy or in the first weeks after a birth or adoption to keep the paperwork under control. It covers general admin only; for health questions speak to your midwife, health visitor, GP or NHS 111.
Step by step
Plan leave and pay
Check your employer's policies and your statutory rights to maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave on GOV.UK. Tell your employer in writing within the required notice period, which GOV.UK explains. Self-employed parents should check what support they may be able to claim.
Register the birth
Births must be registered with the local register office within a legal time limit, which differs between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check the current rule on GOV.UK or nidirect. Book an appointment early, as slots can fill up. Take the documents the register office asks for and buy extra birth certificate copies if you will need them.
Claim Child Benefit
Claim Child Benefit through HMRC once the birth is registered, as it can usually only be backdated for a limited time. Even if you decide not to receive payments because of your income, claiming can protect the non-earning parent's National Insurance record. Check the current rules and income threshold on GOV.UK.
Register with the GP
Register your baby with your family's GP practice so they can be called for routine checks and vaccinations. Keep the personal child health record, often called the red book, somewhere safe. Your health visitor will be in touch after the birth.
Check other support
Look at whether you may be eligible for help such as Tax-Free Childcare, childcare support or other benefits using an independent benefits calculator or Citizens Advice. Start researching childcare early if you plan to return to work, as places can have waiting lists. Check current eligibility and figures on GOV.UK.
Update your plans and records
Add your baby to your household insurance, life insurance and will, and consider naming a guardian in your will. Update your family emergency information sheet with the baby's details. Apply for a passport later if you plan to travel abroad.
Ready-to-use checklist
- Leave and pay rights checked on GOV.UK
- Employer notified in writing
- Birth registered within the time limit
- Extra birth certificates ordered if needed
- Child Benefit claimed
- Baby registered with the GP
- Childcare and support options researched
- Will, insurance and emergency information updated
Practical tips
- Keep a single folder, paper or digital, for the baby's birth certificate, red book, benefit letters and leave paperwork.
- Put key deadlines such as registering the birth and claiming Child Benefit in your calendar before the due date.
- Share admin jobs between parents or supporters so one person is not doing it all during the early weeks.
Common problems
We missed the time limit to register the birth.
Contact the register office as soon as possible and explain the situation. They will tell you what to do next. Do not delay further, as a birth certificate is needed for many other claims.
Our Child Benefit claim is taking a long time.
Check whether HMRC has asked for any further documents and keep your claim reference handy. You can track or query the claim through HMRC's online services or helpline. Payments are usually backdated to the date they should have started within the allowed period.
I am not sure what leave I am entitled to.
Use the GOV.UK leave and pay checkers and speak to your HR department. If your employer does not follow the rules, ACAS offers free, impartial advice. Citizens Advice can also help with pay and leave questions.