Paperwork for a new baby in Ireland
A new baby comes with forms. These are the ones asked of new parents in Ireland, in the order they come, each from the official page that sets it. Read it together or on your own: every step says who usually does it.
In short
- 2 steps before the birth and 3 after it, each one taken from an official page.
- Registering the birth: within 3 months.
- Each step says who usually does it: the parent giving birth, the other parent, or either of you.
- No amounts here: they change every year and depend on income. The official page under each step has today’s figure.
What is due in Ireland, and when?
| Step | When | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Arrange maternity leave with work | Before the birth | The parent giving birth |
| Arrange the partner’s leave with work | Before the birth | The other parent |
| Register the birth | Within 3 months | Either of you, or together |
| Claim the family benefits | After the birth | Either of you, or together |
| Review childcare costs and support | Through the toddler years | Either of you, or together |
What to do before the birth in Ireland
Arrange maternity leave with work
Who: The parent giving birth
In Ireland Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks. At least 2 weeks of leave must be taken before the end of the week the baby is due. Apply at least 6 weeks before your leave starts (12 if you are self-employed).
Official page: Citizens Information, Maternity Benefit
Checked against Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), checked on 11 October 2026
“Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks (156 days). Sunday is not counted.”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“At least 2 weeks and not more than 16 weeks of leave must be taken before the end of the week in which your baby is due.”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“You should apply for Maternity Benefit at least 6 weeks before you plan to go on maternity leave (12 weeks if you are self-employed).”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026
Arrange the partner’s leave with work
Who: The other parent
In Ireland Paternity Benefit is paid for 2 weeks, taken at any time in the first 6 months; apply 4 weeks before. Each parent can also take 9 weeks of Parent’s Benefit in the first 2 years.
Official page: Citizens Information, Paternity Benefit
Checked against Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), checked on 11 October 2026
“It is paid for 2 weeks and is available for any child born or adopted on or after 1 September 2016. You can start paternity leave at any time within the first 6 months following the birth or adoption placement.”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“You should apply for the payment 4 weeks before you intend to go on paternity leave (12 weeks if you are self-employed).”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“Parent’s Benefit and parent’s leave are for parents in the first 2 years after their child’s birth or adoption.”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“From 1 August 2024, Parent’s Benefit is extended from 7 weeks to 9 weeks, if you are the parent of:”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026
What to do after the birth in Ireland
Register the birth
When: Within 3 months
Who: Either of you, or together
In Ireland the birth must be registered within 3 months, with the Civil Registration Service. Then the PPS number and the Child Benefit forms are sent to you automatically.
Official page: Citizens Information, Registering the birth of your baby
Checked against Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), checked on 11 October 2026
“You must register the birth of your baby within 3 months of their birth.”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“If a birth is registered within 3 months, the information will be automatically sent to the Department of Social Protection, and Child Benefit forms and a PPS number will be sent automatically to the qualified informant, usually the parent(s).”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026
Claim the family benefits
Who: Either of you, or together
In Ireland Child Benefit is a monthly payment for every child under 16. Register the birth within 3 months and the forms are sent to you automatically.
Official page: Citizens Information, Child Benefit
Checked against Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), checked on 11 October 2026
“You must register the birth of your baby within 3 months of their birth.”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“If a birth is registered within 3 months, the information will be automatically sent to the Department of Social Protection, and Child Benefit forms and a PPS number will be sent automatically to the qualified informant, usually the parent(s).”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16.”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026
Review childcare costs and support
When: Through the toddler years
Who: Either of you, or together
In Ireland the National Childcare Scheme helps with childcare costs from 6 months, and ECCE gives 15 free preschool hours a week from 2 years and 8 months.
Official page: Citizens Information, ECCE
Checked against Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), checked on 11 October 2026
“Your child must be over 6 months and under 15 years of age (children aged 15 do not qualify).”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“ECCE is available to children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age by 31 August, and who are not older than 5 years and 6 months on or before 30 June of the programme year.”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026“The 15 hours provided each week under ECCE are free.”
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board), read on 11 October 2026
Questions parents ask
How much will we get?
This page does not say, on purpose. Amounts change every year and depend on income and work, and a wrong figure is worse than none. Each step links the official page that has today’s amount and the rules for your case.
Is this legal advice?
No. It names each step, who usually does it, where and by when, as the official pages put it. Your own case can differ: your employer, your registry office or the office named on each page has the last word.
Does this apply if I am doing it on my own?
Yes. The steps are the same together or on your own. A step marked for the other parent, such as their leave, only applies if there is one.
How current is this?
Each step links the official page it was read on. Where a step rests on a sentence we re-read every week, the date it was last read is under it, and if the official page changes the step says it is being re-checked instead.
Your paperwork, dated and shared
Syncry turns this list into your family’s own checklist: each deadline counted from your due date or your baby’s birthday, split between the two of you or all yours, a reminder before each one, and ticked off together.