Bringing a new life into the world is a joyous occasion, and for expat families in France, it comes with a set of administrative tasks to ensure a smooth transition into parenthood within the French system. Here are the seeven essential setps to take following the birth of your little one.
Table of contents
Civil status registration (day 1-5)
In the whirlwind of emotions, registering your child’s birth is a crucial first step. This must be done within five days of the birth. Head to the hospital or town hall to complete the process. The responsability of managing this falls on the father or another appointed person. Be sure to have the necessary documents, including the certificate from the attending doctor or midwife and the ID cards/Passports of both parents
Social security attachment (day 1 or as soon as possible)
Ensuring your newborn is connected to your social security plan is vital. This should be done before leaving the maternity ward. Manage this task either the Ameli.fr website or via mail through your primary health insurance fund. The responsability lies with the parents, and you’ll need the child’s birth certification and form S3705 for the attchement process.
> You might be interested in this article: What is the Social Security system in France?
CAF registration (day 1 or as soon as possible)
For financial support related to your child’s birth, registering with CAF is essential. This can be done on the CAF.fr website. If you lack a CAF account, sumbit the change of situation form by post. Either parent can manage this, and typically, no additional documents are required. Note that if you fall under the agricultural regime, the procedure must be completed with the MSA.
> You might be interested in this article: CAF benefits in France – What you need to know
Supplementary health reporting (day 1 or as soon as possible)
Notify your supplementary health provider about the new addition to your family. This can be handled directly with your respective mutuelles. If the parents have different mutuelles, each should manage this individually, with required documents varying based on the specific mutuelle.
Maternity leave request (within days of birth)
Maternity leave is a crucial aspect for new parents, providing time to bond with the newborn. Requesting birth leave should be done shortly after the birth, and the process involves the employer of the second parent. The responsability for managing this lies with the second parent, and documents needed include a copy of the child’s birth certificate.,
Paternity leave application (at least 1 month before start date)
Paternity and childcare leave is an essential part of supporting new families. Apply for this leave 25 calendar days to be taken within the first 6 months following birth, with a minimum of 4 days following birth leave. Submit the request one month before the delivery or the start of the leave. The second parent handles this process, with documents including child’s birth certificate and additional justification if the leave isn’t requested by the father.
Taxes update (within 60 days of birth)
Finally, report the birth to adapt your withholding tax rate to the new family size. This should be done within 60 days after the birth on impots.gouv.fr website. The responsibility for managing this task rests with one or both parents, depending on the family situation. No additional documents are typically required.
Navigating these administrative steps might seem daunting, but by tackling each one systematically, expat families can ensure a smooth and supported entry into parenthood within the French system.
