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Applications after birth: Which ones do I have to submit — and in which order?

After the birth, seven steps are due, best done in this order: (1) report the birth to the registry office (Standesamt) — within one week, (2) apply for birth certificates, (3) register the child with your health insurance provider (Krankenkasse), (4) wait for the child's tax ID (Steuer-ID), (5) apply for child benefit (Kindergeld) at the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) (up to 6 months retroactive), (6) apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) at the parental allowance office (Elterngeldstelle) of your federal state (only up to 3 months retroactive — so be quick!), (7) depending on income, check supplementary child allowance (Kinderzuschlag), housing benefit (Wohngeld) and education and participation (Bildung und Teilhabe). You apply for maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld) even before the birth, at your health insurance provider.

As of: 08.08.2026 · Redaktion HalloAmt · General information, not legal advice (see note at the end).

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Which applications do I have to submit after the birth? The checklist in order

Work through the list from top to bottom. Each point builds on the previous one — most importantly: without the birth certificate, child benefit and parental allowance won't go through.

  1. Report the birth to the registry office (Standesamt) — deadline: within one week. The birth must be reported to the registry office at the place of birth within one week (Section 18 Civil Status Act / Personenstandsgesetz). For a hospital birth, this is usually handled by the clinic; you only need to provide your documents. For a home birth, you report the birth yourself.

  2. Apply for birth certificates — at the same registry office (Standesamt). Based on the birth notification, the registry office issues the birth certificate. Ask right away for several copies and explicitly for the free certificates "for child benefit", "for parental allowance" and "for maternity benefit" — you will need these for the next applications.

  3. Register the child with the health insurance provider (Krankenkasse). Register your baby with your health insurance provider as soon as possible so that they are covered under family insurance. Registration usually applies retroactively to the day of birth. If both parents have statutory health insurance, clarify under which parent's policy the child will be insured.

  4. Wait for the child's tax identification number (Steuer-ID). For the child benefit application, you need the child's tax ID. This arrives automatically by letter from the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern) after the birth — you do not need to apply for it separately. It usually arrives within a few weeks.

  5. Apply for child benefit (Kindergeld) at the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) — only 6 months retroactive. You submit the application (form KG 1) to the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, either online or on paper. Child benefit is paid for a maximum of 6 months retroactively — for details, see the guide Applying for child benefit: Where, how and when?.

  6. Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) at the parental allowance office (Elterngeldstelle) of your federal state — only 3 months retroactive. Parental allowance is paid retroactively for a maximum of 3 months of the child's life before the month the application is received (Section 7 BEEG). The parental allowance office of your federal state is responsible, and the forms differ by state — you can find the right application through your local parental allowance office or the federal Family Portal (Familienportal).

  7. Check further benefits — depending on income and housing situation. If income is low, supplementary child allowance (Kinderzuschlag), housing benefit (Wohngeld) and education and participation (Bildung und Teilhabe) may apply. More on this below under "What financial support can I apply for?".

What do I need to take care of before the birth?

Two things are important before the due date:

  • You apply for maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld) about 7 weeks before the expected due date at your health insurance provider (Krankenkasse). For this, you need a medical certificate stating the expected delivery date.
  • Unmarried parents can already take care of paternity acknowledgement and the declaration of joint custody (Sorgeerklärung) before the birth at the youth welfare office (Jugendamt) or registry office (Standesamt). This saves trips later and ensures that both parents are legally secured. If the parents are married, the husband is automatically considered the legal father.

So the short answer to the question of "applications before and after the birth" is: beforehand, maternity benefit and (for unmarried parents) paternity/custody; afterwards, the seven steps from the checklist.

What financial support can I apply for after the birth?

These benefits typically go together:

BenefitWho paysBriefly explained
Maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld)Health insurance provider (Krankenkasse) + employerFor employed mothers with statutory health insurance during maternity protection (usually 6 weeks before to 8 weeks after the birth).
Parental allowance (Elterngeld)Parental allowance office (Elterngeldstelle) of the federal stateReplaces part of the income lost in the first months of the child's life.
Child benefit (Kindergeld)Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) (Bundesagentur für Arbeit)Fixed amount per child and month, over years.
Supplementary child allowance (Kinderzuschlag)Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse)In addition to child benefit, for low income.
Housing benefit (Wohngeld)Housing benefit office (Wohngeldstelle) of the municipalitySubsidy towards rent when income is tight.
Education and participation (Bildung und Teilhabe)Jobcenter/municipalitySubsidies for daycare outings, lunch, learning support, and more.

Maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld): Employed women with statutory health insurance receive up to 13 € per calendar day from their health insurance provider; the employer pays the difference to the previous net salary as a supplement. It is applied for at the health insurance provider.

Parental allowance (Elterngeld): The basic parental allowance (Basiselterngeld) is between 300 € and 1,800 € per month and replaces around 65% of the lost net income; ElterngeldPlus is half that amount but is paid for twice as long. Very high incomes are excluded — for more recent births, entitlement ends above a taxable annual income exceeding the current threshold (currently 175,000 €). The parental allowance office of your federal state will confirm the exact amount and your threshold.

Child benefit (Kindergeld): The amount is 259 € per child and month (as of 2026). Since amounts can change annually, the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) will confirm the current figure for you. How and where to apply for child benefit is explained in the guide Applying for child benefit: Where, how and when?.

Supplementary child allowance (Kinderzuschlag), housing benefit (Wohngeld), education and participation (Bildung und Teilhabe): These apply if the family's income is tight. Check them individually — details in the guides Applying for supplementary child allowance: Who, where and how?, Applying for housing benefit: Where and how do I apply? and Applying for the education package: Education and participation for children.

Which documents do I need for the applications after the birth?

It's best to create a folder. You will often need:

  • Birth certificate from the hospital and your ID cards/passports — for registering with the Registry Office (Standesamt).
  • For the birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde): ID cards or passports of both parents, marriage certificate (Eheurkunde) (for married parents) or birth certificates of the parents, if applicable paternity acknowledgment (Vaterschaftsanerkennung) and declaration of custody (Sorgeerklärung), for foreign parents the residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) and if needed translated documents.
  • For Child Benefit (Kindergeld): tax ID of the child (Steuer-ID), tax ID of the parents, and the birth certificate "for Child Benefit" (Geburtsbescheinigung "für Kindergeld").
  • For Parental Allowance (Elterngeld): birth certificate "for Parental Allowance" (Geburtsbescheinigung "für Elterngeld"), proof of income (e.g. pay slips), certificate of maternity pay (Mutterschaftsgeld) and the employer's supplement.
  • For the health insurance fund (Krankenkasse): the child's birth certificate and your insurance details.

What deadlines do I need to watch so I don't lose any money?

The deadlines are the most important part — here's an overview:

  • Birth registration with the Registry Office (Standesamt): within one week (§ 18 PStG). For hospital births, the hospital usually takes care of this.
  • Parental Allowance (Elterngeld): only up to 3 months of the child's life retroactively (§ 7 BEEG). If you apply too late, you lose months — that's why Elterngeld is the most urgent application after the birth.
  • Child Benefit (Kindergeld): only up to 6 months retroactively. Within this window, nothing is lost; after that, it is.
  • Health insurance for the child: register as soon as possible; it usually applies retroactively from the birth.
  • Maternity Pay (Mutterschaftsgeld): apply before the birth (about 7 weeks in advance) at your health insurance fund (Krankenkasse).

Key rule: Parental Allowance (Elterngeld) is the most time-critical. Don't wait until all your other papers are ready — you can submit the application and send in proof documents later.

I am new to Germany — which applications can I make with which residence status?

Regardless of residence status, all parents get their child's birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) and can get them health insurance. For family benefits, however, it depends on your residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel):

  • EU/EEA citizens, settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis), recognized refugees, and persons with subsidiary protection: generally entitled to Child Benefit (Kindergeld) and Parental Allowance (Elterngeld).
  • Residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis): entitlement depends on the purpose of the permit — if the permit allows employment, entitlement often exists; with some temporary permits it does not. This is checked case by case by the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) or the Parental Allowance Office (Elterngeldstelle).
  • Temporary permission to stay during asylum proceedings (Aufenthaltsgestattung) or toleration (Duldung): generally no Child Benefit and no Parental Allowance.

Maternity Pay (Mutterschaftsgeld) does not depend on residence status, but on employment and health insurance. Because the rules are complex, have your specific case checked by the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse), the Parental Allowance Office (Elterngeldstelle), or a migration counseling service (Migrationsberatung) — this is free of charge.

Do I need the birth certificate first before I can apply for Child Benefit?

You can fill out and submit the Child Benefit (Kindergeld) application beforehand. But to process it, the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) needs a birth certificate — specifically the special certificate marked "for Child Benefit," which the Registry Office (Standesamt) issues free of charge together with the birth certificate. Because Child Benefit is paid up to 6 months retroactively, you won't lose any money if this certificate arrives a few days later. Practical order: first the Registry Office, then the certificate, then submit the Child Benefit application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the birth certificate first before I can apply for Child Benefit?

You can already fill out the application, but the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) needs the birth certificate "for Child Benefit" to process it. This is issued free of charge by the Registry Office (Standesamt) together with the birth certificate. Since Child Benefit is paid up to 6 months retroactively, a short delay does not cause you to lose any money.

Which deadlines must I definitely not miss after the birth?

The birth must be reported to the Registry Office (Standesamt) within one week (for hospital births, usually done by the hospital). Parental Allowance (Elterngeld) is only paid up to 3 months of the child's life retroactively, Child Benefit (Kindergeld) only 6 months. That's why Parental Allowance is the most urgent application.

What can I apply for before the birth?

Maternity Pay (Mutterschaftsgeld) about 7 weeks before the due date at the health insurance fund (Krankenkasse). Unmarried parents can take care of the paternity acknowledgment (Vaterschaftsanerkennung) and declaration of custody (Sorgeerklärung) in advance at the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) or Registry Office (Standesamt). Child Benefit and Parental Allowance can be prepared, but must be finally submitted only after the birth.

I moved to Germany a year ago and had a baby — which applications can I make?

Everyone gets a birth certificate and health insurance for their child, regardless of status. Child Benefit and Parental Allowance depend on the residence permit: EU citizens, holders of a settlement permit, and recognized protection holders usually have an entitlement; with a temporary permission to stay during asylum proceedings (Aufenthaltsgestattung) or toleration (Duldung), generally not. Have your case checked by a migration counseling service (Migrationsberatung).

How many birth certificates do I need?

Plan for several copies. For Child Benefit, Parental Allowance, and Maternity Pay, the Registry Office (Standesamt) issues special certificates free of charge; additional certificates usually cost around 10–12 € each.

What is the difference between Child Benefit and Parental Allowance?

Child Benefit (Kindergeld) is a fixed monthly amount per child from the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse), paid over many years. Parental Allowance (Elterngeld) replaces part of the income you lose in the first months of the child's life and comes from the Parental Allowance Office (Elterngeldstelle) of the federal state. You can receive both at the same time.

Fill out the application after the birth now

Tell us what you've already taken care of — HalloAmt guides you "in over 50 languages" through the right applications (Child Benefit, Parental Allowance, and more), checks the necessary documents, and creates the finished PDFs. Fill out the application after the birth with HalloAmt →

This is general, carefully researched information (as of 08.08.2026) and does not replace legal or official advice. Amounts and deadlines may change; the responsible authority (Registry Office, Family Benefits Office, the federal state's Parental Allowance Office, health insurance fund) decides on a case-by-case basis. For binding information, please contact the responsible authority, a migration counseling service, or a lawyer. We cannot guarantee completeness or accuracy.

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