Checklist: Financial and Formal

There are a few things to think about and take care of around the birth. The following list will give you an overview of the most important formalities you need to take care of before and after the birth.

• Tell the employer about the pregnancy as early as possible. Preferably as soon as you know about it. However, it is also okay to wait for the first 12 weeks and only then give notice.
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• Apply for maternity benefits.
• If you are not married: acknowledge paternity and submit a declaration of joint custody. Both are possible in principle even after the birth. However, it is advisable to take care of it before the birth.
• Division of parental leave between parents clarify and talk early with the employer about planning. The application for parental leave must be at least 7 weeks before the start of parental leave.

• Register your baby at the registry office (if necessary, the birth clinic will take care of this). The registry office will then issue you with a birth certificate and register your baby with the residents' registration office.
• Register the baby with the health insurance company and take out health insurance. Here you can get more information about this.
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• Claim child benefit.
• Apply for parental benefit.
• If money is tight: e.g. apply for housing benefit and child supplement. What other financial benefits are available, you can look up here.