A baby has been born – what do we need to do?
11 tasks in suggested order
1. Register a birth in England or Wales within 42 days
A birth in England or Wales must normally be registered within 42 days. The process is arranged through the registration service for the area where the baby was born.
Within 42 days of the birth.
The local register office for the area where the baby was born, or another arrangement offered by the local registration service.
The information the registrar asks for about the baby and parents; check the local appointment process before attending.
Scotland uses a 21-day deadline and Northern Ireland has its own 42-day registration route.
Official source: GOV.UK
2. Register a birth in Scotland within 21 days
A baby born in Scotland must be registered before they are 21 days old. Registration is handled by a Scottish registration office.
Within 21 days of the birth.
A registration office in Scotland; check the council/registration service for appointment arrangements.
The birth card from the hospital or midwife and marriage/civil-partnership certificate where appropriate, plus the information requested by the registrar.
The Scottish deadline is 21 days, not the 42-day England/Wales or Northern Ireland deadline.
Official source: mygov.scot
3. Register a birth in Northern Ireland within 42 days
A baby born in Northern Ireland must be registered within 42 days. Any District Registration office in Northern Ireland can register the birth and offices operate by appointment.
Within 42 days of birth.
Any District Registration office in Northern Ireland, following its appointment process.
Completed birth registration form and the baby/parent information listed by nidirect.
The registrar advises how to forward/complete the paperwork for the appointment. Scotland has a different 21-day deadline.
Official source: nidirect
4. Register the baby with a GP and keep or order birth certificates you need
In England, parents or guardians can register a child with a GP by completing a separate registration form; a practice may ask for evidence such as the birth certificate to confirm the child/parent relationship. NHS Wales also advises registering a baby with a GP as early as possible.
After birth, as a practical early-parenthood step; GP care remains available if the baby needs urgent treatment before registration is complete.
A GP practice serving your area; birth certificates are obtained through the civil-registration service.
Baby’s details and any information the GP practice asks for; the birth certificate/red book can be helpful where available.
This is a practical Lili tip, not part of the legal 42-day birth-registration duty. GP registration procedures differ between England and Wales.
Official source: NHS
5. Register the baby with a GP in Scotland and keep the registration documents
After the civil birth registration, register the baby with a GP practice. NHS inform also advises that a baby needs GP registration for ongoing primary care.
After birth and civil registration, as soon as practical.
A GP practice serving your area in Scotland.
Baby’s details, GP registration form and any registration documents/information provided after the birth registration.
This is a practical Lili tip, separate from the legal 21-day duty to register the birth.
Official source: NHS inform
6. Use the NI infant registration document to register the baby with a GP
After the Northern Ireland birth registration, the registrar provides the infant registration document used to register the baby with a GP practice, together with the civil-registration certificate arrangements.
After the birth has been registered.
Your GP practice in Northern Ireland.
The infant registration document provided by the registrar and the details requested by the GP practice.
This is a practical Lili health step, separate from the legal duty to register the birth within 42 days.
Official source: nidirect
7. Claim Child Benefit if eligible and you want to receive it
If applicable: If you are responsible for the child, meet the eligibility rules and want to claim Child Benefit.
Only one person can receive Child Benefit for a child. A claim can be made 48 hours after the birth has been registered and can normally be backdated for up to 3 months. The claimant can also receive National Insurance credits towards State Pension.
From 48 hours after birth registration; claim promptly if you want to avoid losing backdating beyond 3 months.
HMRC Child Benefit online, phone or postal service.
Child’s birth/adoption certificate if available, bank details, your National Insurance number and your partner’s National Insurance number where applicable.
You can still start a claim without the certificate, but processing can take longer and HMRC may later ask for it. Only one person can get Child Benefit for the same child.
Official source: GOV.UK
8. Confirm maternity, paternity or shared-parental leave/pay with the employer in Great Britain
If applicable: If a parent is employed and wants to use statutory maternity, paternity or shared-parental leave/pay.
Statutory leave and statutory pay are separate entitlements. For maternity leave, the employer normally needs the due date and intended start at least 15 weeks before the due date; Statutory Maternity Pay normally needs at least 28 days’ notice and proof of pregnancy. Paternity and Shared Parental Leave have their own notice and eligibility rules.
Use the relevant notice deadline before the expected birth and update the employer if the leave dates change.
Your employer, using the applicable GOV.UK maternity, paternity or shared-parental route.
Due date, planned leave dates, MATB1/medical evidence where SMP requires it, and the declarations/partner details required for paternity or shared parental leave.
Do not assume leave eligibility guarantees statutory pay. Paternity Leave rules changed in April 2026, so use the current GOV.UK notice and eligibility rules.
Official source: GOV.UK
9. Confirm Northern Ireland maternity, paternity or shared-parental leave/pay with the employer
If applicable: If a parent works in Northern Ireland and wants to use statutory maternity, paternity or shared-parental leave/pay.
Northern Ireland has its own employment-law guidance. Statutory maternity leave normally requires notice at least 15 weeks before the expected week of childbirth; SMP normally needs at least 28 days’ notice and medical evidence. Paternity and shared-parental rules use their own NI eligibility and notice tests.
Before the relevant NI statutory notice deadline and whenever leave dates change.
Your employer, using nidirect guidance for the relevant leave/pay route.
Expected week of childbirth, planned leave dates, MAT B1/medical evidence where required and any paternity/shared-parental declarations.
Do not automatically use Great Britain employment-law pages for Northern Ireland. Leave and pay remain separate eligibility tests.
Official source: nidirect
10. Check whether the birth changes any benefits or family support you can claim
A new child can affect existing benefit claims and may make you eligible for other childcare or family support. Use the official benefit/service pages for the nation and benefit that applies to you.
After the birth and whenever childcare, work or household circumstances change.
Relevant GOV.UK, devolved-government or benefit service.
Household income, current benefits, work situation, childcare plans and child details.
This is a practical Lili check, not a claim that every family must notify every benefit office. Report only the changes required for benefits you actually receive or apply for.
Official source: GOV.UK
11. Check the child’s British citizenship or immigration status if it is not already clear
If applicable: If the child’s British citizenship or immigration status is not already clear.
Being born in the UK does not by itself make every child British. For children born on or after 1 January 1983, citizenship usually depends on the date of birth and the parents’ citizenship or settled/immigration status at that time.
After birth if the child’s status is relevant for a passport, immigration application or proof of nationality.
GOV.UK British-citizenship checker and the relevant passport/immigration service.
Child’s date/place of birth and both parents’ citizenship and immigration/settled status at the date of birth.
Do not apply for citizenship if the child is already automatically British; in that case a passport or status confirmation may be the correct route.
Official source: GOV.UK
