Declaring the birth of a new-born child
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All births must be registered with the civil registrar of the commune where the birth took place.
Who is concerned
The birth of the child must be declared:
- by the father or mother; or
- failing that, by the doctor, midwife or any other person who attended the birth (upon presentation of the 'notice of birth' issued by the doctor or midwife).
The father who carries out the procedures for declaring the child with the various administrations is entitled to a special leave for:
- 10 days for private-sector employees;
- 10 days for civil servants.
The mother does not have the right to special leave, as she already benefits from maternity leave.
Deadlines
All births must be declared within 10 days of delivery of the child (the day of the delivery does not count). If the last day of the 10-day period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the period is extended to the next working day.
Please note: if no declaration is made within this time frame, a court decision will be taken to establish the birth certificate.
How to proceed
Declaration to the commune where the birth took place
Items to present when declaring the birth:
- married parents:
- the birth notice issued by the doctor or midwife;
- the family record book or, failing that, a marriage certificate;
- an ID document for the declarant and the mother.
- unmarried parents:
- the birth notice issued by the doctor or midwife;
- an ID document for both parents;
- if one of the parents has the Luxembourg nationality or was born in Luxembourg: a declaration signed by both parents stating the name that will be given to the child.
For further information, please refer to the information page on choosing a child's first name and surname.
Non-residents
Parents who do not reside in Luxembourg must declare the child's birth to the communal administration in the commune where it was born, as is the case for parents residing in Luxembourg.
It is important that parents find out from their country of residence what steps they need to take to ensure that the Luxembourg birth certificate is recognised in their country.
Non-Luxembourg nationals
Parents who do not have the Luxembourgish nationality must first declare the child to the commune, then to their consulate or embassy.
Administrative procedures pertaining to the declaration of the newborn child
The birth registration office will provide the declarant with 8 copies of the birth certificate , of which one copy must be given to:
- the employer;
- the commune of residence;
- the Children's Future Fund (Caisse pour l'avenir des enfants - CAE) along with the application for family allowance and birth allowance;
- the Health Insurance Fund (National Health Fund (CNS) or other public sector health fund) to register the child with the health insurance scheme and to obtain a social security number.
and possibly:
- the Complementary Health Insurance Fund (Caisse médico-complémentaire mutualiste - CMCM) ;
- the insurance company (life insurance);
- the Housing Aid Service of the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (if the person concerned receives housing assistance);
- the embassy or consulate of the country of origin in Luxembourg (for non-Luxembourg nationals).
In addition to the extracts from the birth certificate, the following forms are given to the declarant and must be sent to the institutions whose addresses appear on the application:
- application for family allowance and birth allowance;
- application for 'Baby-Year' (24 months are taken into account for pension insurance).
Who to contact
Communal administrations
- Address:
- Luxembourg
Embassies and consulates
- Address:
- Luxembourg
