New baby paperwork deadlines: the dad's checklist, UK and US

Register the birth within 21 days at any registration office in Scotland. If the parents are not married, the father can only be named if both parents register together or sign the declaration forms. National Records of Scotland

Register the birth within 42 days, at the local register office or at the hospital if it offers this. If you are not married or in a civil partnership, both parents need to sign the register together (or use a statutory declaration or court order) for the father to be named. GOV.UK

Register the birth within 42 days at any district registration office in Northern Ireland. If the parents are not married, the father can only be named if both parents sign or a declaration of paternity is produced. nidirect

You can claim Child Benefit 48 hours after registering the birth. A claim can only be backdated up to 3 months, so claim within 3 months of the birth to avoid losing money. In 2026/27 it is £27.05 a week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 for each additional child. Claim even if you opt out of payments, because it gives you National Insurance credits. GOV.UK

Paternity Leave cannot start before the birth and must end within 52 weeks of the birth (or of the due date if the baby is early). You can take up to 2 weeks, either together or as two separate 1-week blocks. GOV.UK

The NHS says to register your baby with your GP as early as possible. Children under 16 are usually registered by a parent with a separate form, and the red book can help. NHS

Give your employer at least 8 weeks' written notice before each block of Shared Parental Leave. You can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay, and you must use them within the first year. ShPP is £194.32 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. GOV.UK

If either partner's adjusted net income is over £60,000, you pay back 1% of Child Benefit for every £200 over that amount. Over £80,000, you pay it all back. You can still claim and opt out of payments to keep the National Insurance credits. GOV.UK

Apply for your baby's Social Security number at the hospital when you give details for the birth certificate. The state birth-certificate agency sends the details to SSA, and SSA mails the card. States take 1 to 6 weeks (2 weeks on average), plus about 2 more weeks for mailing. Waiting to apply later can cause delays. Social Security Administration

HIPAA special enrollment: your employer group health plan must give you at least 30 days from the birth to request enrollment. Some plans allow longer, so check yours, but do not wait past 30 days. U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA)

FMLA bonding leave must be taken within the 12 months starting on the date of birth. You can split it into intermittent or reduced-schedule leave only if your employer agrees. Married spouses at the same employer share a combined 12 weeks for bonding. This does not apply to unmarried partners. U.S. Department of Labor

New Jersey Family Leave Insurance pays up to 12 weeks of benefits before your child's first birthday when taken as one continuous leave. For separate periods of bonding leave, give your employer 15 days' notice before each one. Benefits are being paid now. New Jersey Department of Labor

Massachusetts PFML gives up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to bond with a child during the first 12 months after birth. The maximum weekly benefit is $1,230 in 2026 and $1,284 in 2027. Benefits are being paid now. Mass.gov

Paid Leave Oregon gives up to 12 weeks of paid leave in a 52-week period. Bonding leave must be taken in the first year after the birth. Benefits are being paid now. Paid Leave Oregon

For 2026 the dependent care FSA limit is $7,500 ($3,750 if married filing separately), up from $5,000. A birth counts as a change in status under IRS cafeteria plan rules, so your plan may let you change your election. Check your plan's deadline with HR. IRS