New baby admin checklist UK: what to sort, and when
In the UK, the admin after a birth comes down to a few deadlines. Register the birth within 42 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or within 21 days in Scotland. Claim Child Benefit once the birth is registered, because a claim backdates for up to 3 months. Then register your baby with your GP. Most of the rest can wait.
What has to be done first after a baby is born?
Registering the birth is the step with a fixed deadline. Where you register depends on where your baby was born.
| Where the baby was born | Deadline | Where to register |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | 42 days | The register office for the area where the baby was born, or at the hospital before you leave, if it offers this |
| Northern Ireland | 42 days | See nidirect for local registration offices |
| Scotland | 21 days | Any registration office in Scotland |
Who can register depends partly on whether the parents are married or in a civil partnership. If one parent registers alone, GOV.UK says they may need proof of paternity before the other parent's details can go on the register. Check the "Who can register a birth" guidance on GOV.UK before you go.
Ask the hospital whether it can register the birth before you leave. GOV.UK says the hospital will tell you if it can.
When can you claim Child Benefit?
GOV.UK says you can claim Child Benefit 48 hours after you have registered the birth. A claim can be backdated for up to 3 months from the date you make it, so it is worth claiming soon after registration rather than leaving it.
You can claim online, or by post or phone if you cannot apply online. GOV.UK also says you can claim without a birth certificate, though the claim takes longer.
This page does not cover amounts or who is eligible. GOV.UK has both.
How do you register a baby with a GP?
The NHS says children under 16 are usually registered by a parent or guardian, with one form for each child. You may need to be registered at the same surgery as your child.
A surgery may ask for proof of ID and address for the child, such as the birth certificate, and may ask you to show that you are the parent or guardian. The NHS says having your child's red book can help, so keep it somewhere you can find it.
Your baby is given an NHS number soon after they are born. Note it down with the birth certificate.
What can wait until later?
- A passport. Only needed if you are travelling abroad. You can apply for a first child passport online through GOV.UK. Check HM Passport Office's current processing times before you book anything.
- Extra copies of the birth certificate. GOV.UK explains how to order them if you need more.
- Photos and firsts. They will still be there in a month. If you want somewhere to keep them, see our guide to tracking family milestones.
What does a first six weeks checklist look like?
- First few days: decide which of you is handling registration, and keep the hospital paperwork in one place.
- Before day 21 (Scotland) or day 42 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland): register the birth.
- 48 hours after registering: claim Child Benefit.
- After registering: register your baby with your GP.
- Whenever you have a minute: note the NHS number, and put the birth certificate somewhere you will find it again.
- Only if you are travelling: apply for a passport.
How do two tired people keep track of it all?
The hardest part is rarely the forms. It is remembering which of you said you would do them.
In Haevn, Lists are shared: anyone adds, everyone sees, and each list has its own members. Save the list as a template and it is there for next time.
Plan is one calendar for every household member, colour-coded per person. Put the registration appointment in once and everyone sees it. You can add a Haevn event to your own Google or Outlook calendar in one click. Two-way sync is coming soon.
If you are comparing family organisers, our guide to the best family organiser apps in the UK sets them side by side. For the paperwork that follows, see managing family paperwork.
FAQ
How long do you have to register a birth in the UK?
42 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 21 days in Scotland. The clock starts on the day the baby is born.
Can you register a birth at the hospital?
Sometimes. GOV.UK says some hospitals can register the birth before you leave, and the hospital will tell you whether it can. Otherwise you register at the register office for the area where the baby was born.
When can you claim Child Benefit for a new baby?
GOV.UK says you can claim 48 hours after you have registered the birth. You can also claim without a birth certificate, but the claim takes longer.
How far back can Child Benefit be backdated?
Up to 3 months from the date you make the claim, according to GOV.UK.
When does a baby get an NHS number?
The NHS says an NHS number is assigned soon after birth, or the first time you get NHS care or treatment. It is yours for life in most cases.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Register a birth: www.gov.uk/register-birth (checked 29 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, Who can register a birth: www.gov.uk/register-birth/who-can-register-a-birth (checked 29 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, Child Benefit: how to claim: www.gov.uk/child-benefit/how-to-claim (checked 29 October 2026)
- National Records of Scotland, Registering a birth: www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/registering-a-birth/ (checked 29 October 2026)
- nidirect, Registering and naming your baby: www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/government-citizens-and-rights/births-and-registration/registering-and-naming-your-baby.htm (checked 29 October 2026)
- NHS, Register with a GP surgery: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/ (checked 29 October 2026)
- NHS, What is an NHS number?: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/what-is-an-nhs-number/ (checked 29 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, Get a passport for your child: www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport (checked 29 October 2026)
Corrections to support@haevn.co.uk.