0 € (erste Urkunde), 12 € (weitere), 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos), 0 €, 0 €, 0 €, 0 € (Familienversicherung), Einkommensabhängig

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Ohne Geburtsurkunde kannst du kein Elterngeld, Kindergeld oder Versicherung fürs Kind beantragen.

Having a baby in Essen – Fristen & Checkliste

Step 1

Register the birth

🚨

Frist: 7 days after birth · Without birth certificate you cannot apply for parental allowance, child benefit or insurance for the child.

The birth must be registered at the registry office. If born in hospital, the clinic handles this for you – you don't need to do anything! The birth certificate arrives by mail.

📄 Required Documents

Hospital birth certificate(Required)

You receive this directly from the hospital after birth. Home birth: from the midwife.

ID cards of both parents(Required)

You already have your valid IDs – if lost: citizens' office Cologne (approx. €37)

Marriage certificate(Optional)

If married

Paternity acknowledgment(Optional)

If not married

💡 Tips

Registry office Essen: Hollestr. 3, 45127 Essen | Tel. 0201 88-33488 (Births)
Hospital often registers directly – ask!
Order at least 3 birth certificates
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-1pm, Thu also 2pm-6pm

✓ Hospital handles this for you↗

Step 2

🛡️ Dein Kind finanziell absichern

Gleich nach der Geburt ist der beste Zeitpunkt, dein Kind abzusichern. Kinderunfallversicherung, Haftpflicht und Vorsorge – in wenigen Minuten verglichen.

⏰ Direkt nach der Geburt💰 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos)

📅

Save this deadline to your calendar so you don't forget.

When is / was das Geburtsdatum?

Works with iPhone, Google Calendar, Outlook and many others.

💡 Tips

⏱ Dauert nur 2 Minuten
💰 Kostenlos & unverbindlich
🔒 Früh starten = niedrigere Beiträge

👉 Versicherungen vergleichen ↗

⏱ 2 Minuten💰 Kostenlos🔒 Unverbindlich

Step 3Only if you are not married

Acknowledge paternity

🚨

Frist: Before or after birth · Without acknowledgment the father has no automatic custody and the child doesn't automatically inherit.

If you are not married, the father must officially acknowledge paternity. This can be done before the birth and saves stress later!

📄 Required Documents

ID cards of both parents(Required)

You already have your valid IDs – if lost: citizens' office Cologne (approx. €37)

Birth certificates of both parents(Required)

From the registry office of your birthplace. Replacement online or in person (approx. €12)

Maternity record(Optional)

If before birth

💡 Tips

Youth welfare Essen: I. Hagen 26, 45127 Essen
Appointment hotline: 0201 88-51567 (Mondays from 8:30am)
From 14.04.2025: Online booking at termine.essen.de
Free at youth welfare, chargeable at notary
Best to do BEFORE the birth

Book appointment online↗

Step 4

Apply for parental allowance

🚨

Frist: Within 3 months after birth · You risk losing months of parental allowance – the earlier you apply, the better.

AmtPilot helps you understand and properly prepare the parental allowance application. You'll be guided step by step through all questions and then safely forwarded to the official application.

📄 Required Documents

Birth certificate (for parental allowance)(Required)

Special version from registry office marked 'for parental allowance' – automatically requested for hospital births

Income proof (last 12 months)(Required)

Pay slips from your employer. Self-employed: tax assessment from tax office

Employer certificate(Required)

Your employer issues this – form 'Parental allowance certificate' from the parental allowance office

Health insurance proof(Required)

From your health insurance – request insurance card or membership certificate

ID card(Required)

You already have your valid ID – if lost: citizens' office Cologne (approx. €37)

💡 Tips

AmtPilot shows you exactly which documents YOU need
Maximum 3 months retroactive
Basic parental allowance: 65-67% of net income
ElterngeldPlus for part-time work is automatically checked

Apply for parental allowance online ↗

Step 5

Apply for child benefit

You receive child benefit monthly from the family benefits office – currently €250 per child. You can submit the application completely online.

⚠️Every month without application means less child benefit. Maximum 6 months retroactive possible.

⏰ 6 months retroactive possible💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Birth certificate(Required)

From registry office – automatically requested for hospital births, arrives by mail

Child's tax ID(Required)

Arrives automatically by mail

Parents' tax ID(Required)

On your pay slip or tax assessment. Lost? Request new one from tax office

💡 Tips

Child's tax ID arrives about 2-4 weeks after birth by mail
Apply online via Familienkasse.de
Currently €250 per child per month
Also for children up to 25 in training/studies

Apply for child benefit online↗

Step 6

Health insurance for child

Register your child with your health insurance. In public insurance, they are automatically covered under family insurance free of charge.

⚠️Without insurance card you may have to pay for pediatric checkups upfront.

⏰ Immediately after birth💰 0 € (Familienversicherung)

📄 Required Documents

Birth certificate(Required)

From registry office – automatically requested for hospital births, arrives by mail

Insurance number of one parent(Required)

On your health insurance card (front or back)

💡 Tips

Child is insured retroactively from birth
Insurance card arrives by mail
Pediatric checkups billed directly with card
Premature birth: Maternity protection extends to 12 weeks (instead of 8)
Premature birth certificate immediately to health insurance

Compare health insurance↗

Step 7

Find daycare spot

Register your child for daycare as early as possible. In Essen use the LITTLE BIRD portal – best to register right after birth!

⚠️Waiting lists can be long. Early registration significantly increases your chances.

⏰ 6-12 months before desired start💰 Einkommensabhängig

📄 Required Documents

Birth certificate(Required)

From registry office – automatically requested for hospital births, arrives by mail

Childcare number(Required)

Available at Familienpunkt

💡 Tips

LITTLE BIRD portal: kinderbetreuung.essen.de | Up to 7 reservations per year
Familienpunkt Essen: Tel. 0201 88 51777 | Email: familienpunkt@essen.de
Place confirmations from Feb 24 for new daycare year (from Aug 1)
308 daycares in Essen with approx. 24,000 spots
From age 1: Legal right to daycare!

Search for daycare in Essen↗

Having a Baby in Essen

Register the birth

📄 Required Documents

🛡️ Dein Kind finanziell absichern

Acknowledge paternity

📄 Required Documents

Apply for parental allowance

📄 Required Documents

Apply for child benefit

📄 Required Documents

Health insurance for child

📄 Required Documents

Find daycare spot

📄 Required Documents

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🔗 Related Topics