After baby arrives
What to register and apply for, in roughly the order it needs doing.
Birth & Mother
Almost none of this needs doing on the day, or even in the first week. Rest comes first, and the admin will keep. Much of it the hospital and your midwife set in motion for you; your part is to confirm it, and to follow up when you have the energy. Keep this on the fridge, tick one thing off at a time, and let the early days belong to you and your baby.
In the first week
Register the birth at the registry office (Standesamt). The hospital often forwards the paperwork, but you confirm it.
Order several copies of the birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde). You will need them, and some are issued specially for Elterngeld and Kindergeld.
Book your baby's U2 check-up with your paediatrician, due within the first 10 days of birth.
Add your baby to your health insurance.
Welcome your postpartum midwife for the first home visits (Nachsorge).
In the first months
Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) within three months, for full back-payment.
Apply for child benefit (Kindergeld) through the family benefits office (Familienkasse). It needs your baby's tax ID (Steuer-ID), which arrives by post.
Keep the baby check-ups (U-Untersuchungen) on schedule with your paediatrician.
Register your baby's residence (Anmeldung) at the citizens' office if your city asks for it.
If your baby needs a passport or citizenship papers, start that when you are ready.
birthandmother.comJuly 2026