1 | Establishing Paternity (if you’re not married)
Acknowledging paternity secures legal rights and responsibilities for dads and unlocks benefits for baby.
- Where: Hospital birth-certificate office, county vital-records clerk, or family court.
- When: Anytime, but doing it in the hospital keeps later forms simple.
- You need: Valid photo IDs for both parents; if filed later, a certified birth certificate.
- Pro tip: Many states let you add a custody agreement at the same appointment—ask while you’re there.
2 | Order Certified Birth Certificates
The hospital files the birth record, but you must buy certified copies.
- Timing: Request online or by mail as soon as the state lists the record (usually within 2 weeks).
- Cost: $20–50 each; order at least three—for Social Security, passport, and daycare.
3 | Get a Social Security Number
- Fastest way: Check the “Yes” box on the hospital birth-certificate worksheet. Card arrives by mail in ≈ 4 weeks.
- Later? Apply at any SSA office with baby’s certified birth certificate and parents’ IDs.
- Fee: Free.
4 | Add Baby to Health Insurance
- Employer plan: Most give you 30 days to enroll a newborn—submit the form + birth certificate.
- Marketplace: A new baby triggers a special enrollment period (60 days).
- Medicaid / CHIP: Apply any time if household income qualifies.
5 | Passport or Real ID (if you’ll travel)
- Where: Passport Acceptance Facility (most post offices). Both parents must appear or provide consent form DS-3053.
- Documents: Certified birth certificate, parents’ IDs, baby photo, fee ($135 standard, $210 expedited).
6 | Parental Leave & Pay
FMLA grants up to 12 weeks unpaid in most jobs. Nine states plus DC add paid family-leave checks—file within 30 days of leave in CA, NY, NJ, etc. Bring proof of birth & employer wage statement.
7 | Lock in Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credit 2025: Up to $2 000 per child.
- EITC: Worth thousands for low-to-moderate earners.
- How: Enter baby’s SSN as a dependent on your next 1040—credits adjust your refund automatically.
8 | Open a 529 or Savings Account
Start small, let compound interest do the rest. Most banks require baby’s SSN and birth certificate; online 529 plans open in under 5 minutes.
Don’t Forget
- Well-baby visits (first at 3–5 days, then 1 mo, 2 mo...).
- Apply for WIC if eligible—free formula and healthy foods.
- Update wills & beneficiary forms—name a guardian.
Bottom Line
One folder, one calendar, eight clear steps—that’s all it takes to tame the post-birth bureaucracy. Knock these out early and get back to baby snuggles, not phone hold music.
