Everything You Need to Know About Reporting a Birth: Deadlines, Notifications, and Procedures

[Updated January 20, 2022] Upon the arrival of your baby, several administrative tasks await you, starting with the birth registration at city hall! When should you officially announce your baby’s name? When do you notify your employer? What documents are needed for the Caf or health insurance to receive family benefits? We’ll cover the administrative processes required after the birth of your child.

Birth Registration Location: At City Hall or At Home?

A proposed law introduced by Hervé Marseille on January 8, 2020, concerns the declaration of the birth location. Until now, the birth location has been the city hall of the maternity hospital where the mother delivered, as “birth registrations are made with the civil registrar of the place of birth,” the government states. The proposal allows parents to choose their place of residence as the birth location. “In a time of healthcare facility consolidations, this proposal leads to a concentration of birth registrations in an increasingly limited number of municipalities. It mainly results in the depletion of civil registers in all other areas,” the authors of this bill presented to the Senate explain.

Birth Registration at City Hall: Within 5 Days!

The birth registration must be made within five days following the birth, by someone who witnessed the birth (usually the father). It is, in fact, mandatory for any child born in France (or abroad under different formalities), and is performed directly at the city hall of the birth location. The birth certificate is then written on-site by a civil registrar. Some public hospitals even offer a service within the maternity ward to record birth registrations; it’s worth checking. Be aware, if this five-day period is not met, the registration can only be recorded in the civil registers “upon presentation of a judgment issued by the district court of the child’s birthplace,” according to the ministry.

Required Documents

The birth certificate issued by the doctor or midwife, the acknowledgment of paternity if it was done before the child’s birth, the ID cards of both parents, the family record book to add the child if one of the parents already has one, and the declaration of choice of the family name. Since 2005, parents have the option to name their child with the father’s, the mother’s, or both surnames combined.

Birth Notification at the Caf

If you want to receive benefits from the Family Allowance Fund, especially the basic benefit of the young child welcome payment (Paje), don’t delay in reporting to your Caf. Depending on the situation and income, the birth of your baby thus opens up the right to family allowances… If you are already a beneficiary, you can file your declaration online.

Documents to Provide

The birth certificate of your baby, and the declaration of change in situation.

Birth Notification to Health Insurance (CPAM)

Following the arrival of your baby, you will need to schedule appointments with your pediatrician for vaccinations and other infant examinations. Don’t delay in notifying your health insurance to ensure that visits and care are quickly covered. You can make your declaration directly on the website via your Ameli account, under the “My procedures” section, option “Declare the birth of my child”.

Documents to Provide:

A copy of the birth certificate of your baby or a photocopy of your family record book, along with the completed affiliation form n°S3705.

Birth Notification to Mutual Insurance

To ensure that mutual insurance can also reimburse a portion of the care covered, in addition to your health insurance, don’t forget to report the birth of your baby as soon as possible after leaving the maternity ward.

Documents to Provide:

A letter sent by mail accompanied by the birth certificate of your child or a copy of your family record book.

Birth Notification to Your Employer

Both parents must report the birth of their child to their respective employers to be eligible for maternity or paternity leave.

Documents to Provide:

A copy of the birth certificate.

Which Other Organizations Should Be Notified?

• A birth certificate should also be sent, as soon as possible, to your insurance company with whom you have a home insurance policy, so that your newborn is included in your contract.
• Regarding taxes, you don’t need to send them a letter; simply mention the birth of your baby in your next tax return.
• Lastly, remember to contact the daycare, especially if you had reserved a spot while you were pregnant. A birth certificate can be sent to them (or to city hall if you didn’t give birth in the same city).
• To save time and avoid feeling overwhelmed after leaving the maternity ward, start by gathering all the documents, preparing letters and envelopes… to be better organized and not forget anything.