The declaration of birth is compulsory after the birth of a child. When should it be done? What you need to provide ? Small guide to the declaration of birth.

The purpose of the birth declaration is to mention the birth of the child to the civil status office of the town hall of the place of birth where a birth certificate is drawn up. It must be done by a person who attended the birth. Most often, it is the dad who makes this statement. The birth declaration gives the child his French citizenship and his social and medical cover for health insurance.

This declaration is obligatory.

The declaration of birth is compulsory within 3 days of the birth of the child, the day of delivery not being counted within this period. If the last day is a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday, this 3-day period is extended to the next working day (a Monday if the 5th day is a Sunday for example). If this deadline is not respected, the declaration of birth is refused by the registrar. It is then a declaratory judgment of birth (rendered by the tribunal de grande instance) which takes the place of birth certificate.

The birth certificate is immediately drawn up by the registrar by the registrar on presentation of a birth certificate drawn up by the doctor or midwife who performed the childbirth, the family record book or the parents’ marriage certificate for legitimate children, the parents’ identity documents or the parents’ birth certificate for natural children.

What we will ask you as information for a birth declaration:

• The day, place and time of birth,
• The sex of the child, his first and last names,
• the professions and domiciles of the father and mother,
• The first names, surname, age and profession of the declarant
• The day, year and time of the declaration
• The act also specifies if the parents are married or if there is an acknowledgment of paternity.

Please note, for unmarried parents: the declaration of birth does not constitute recognition except for the mother if it is indicated in the birth certificate. A voluntary recognition process must be carried out to establish the parentage link.