Preparing Child Benefit: Which Documents You Can Collect Now

The anticipation of a new baby often brings a mountain of organizational tasks. Child benefit (Kindergeld) is a vital financial support for families in Germany. The good news is that you can prepare almost all the necessary documents before the birth. Sorting through and filling out the forms early on creates valuable free time for a relaxed bonding period with your newborn.

Basics: Why Early Planning Pays Off

In the period after birth, known as the postpartum period or Wochenbett, recovery and settling in as a family are the main focus. Sleep deprivation and many new impressions often make filling out applications a real challenge during this phase. Child benefit in Germany is paid regardless of income and is generally available to every child. However, the actual application to the responsible family benefits office (Familienkasse) can only be submitted once the child is born.

The reason for this is simple: you absolutely need the date of birth, the final birth certificate, and your child's tax identification number. These documents simply do not exist before the birth. Nevertheless, it is a great advantage to deal with the topic during pregnancy. The main application for child benefit and the associated child annex (Anlage Kind) require a lot of data that you can easily gather now.

Ideally, when the baby arrives, all you have to do is enter the date of birth, attach the missing documents, and send off the application. This enormously reduces administrative stress and gives you the peace of mind that financial matters are on track. That way, you can fully concentrate on cuddling and getting to know your baby.

Practical Tips: Step by Step to Perfect Preparation

Have your own tax identification numbers ready

For the application, you absolutely need the tax identification number (Steuer-ID) of the person applying. You can find this eleven-digit number on your income tax assessment, your wage tax certificate, or on information letters from the tax office. Find this number now and keep it handy. If you absolutely cannot find the number, you still have plenty of time during pregnancy to request it again from the Federal Central Tax Office. Processing there often takes a few weeks.

Determine the applicant

Child benefit is only ever paid out to one person, even if both parents live together. Discuss early on which of you will apply for the child benefit and to whose account the money should be transferred. It is often practical if the person who also takes care of other financial matters, such as parental allowance (Elterngeld), makes the application. Once you have made this decision, you can enter the corresponding personal data in the form. For separated parents, the person in whose household the child predominantly lives usually receives the child benefit.

Prepare the digital route

The family benefits office now offers a very convenient online service. You can submit the application completely digitally via the portal of the Federal Employment Agency. To do this, you need a so-called Elster certificate or the BundID. If you do not yet have these accesses, pregnancy is the perfect time to register. Activation often takes a few days, as passwords are sometimes sent to you by post for security reasons. Once access is set up, you can start the application online, save the data, and easily complete it after the birth.

Pre-print the classic paper application

If you prefer the postal route, download the main application for child benefit and the child annex from the employment agency's website. Print out the documents and fill in all the known fields with a legible pen. This includes your address, your bank details, and your tax data. Leave only the fields for the child's name, date of birth, and the child's tax ID blank. Place the prepared application in a folder, address an envelope to your responsible family benefits office, and put a stamp on it.

Consider details when choosing an account

Think in advance about which account the child benefit should flow into. Many families use a joint household account for the child's expenses. Make sure you have the correct IBAN and BIC at hand. If you want to open a new account for the child or the family, it is best to do this before the birth as well. This avoids having to send change notifications to the family benefits office later.

Create a special folder for baby bureaucracy

In addition to child benefit, there are other applications to be made after the birth, for example for parental allowance or health insurance. A central folder containing all forms, copies of ID cards, and important numbers is worth its weight in gold. When the baby is there and you need to look something up after a restless night, you immediately have everything in one place. This saves time and spares your nerves.

When Everything Becomes Too Much After Birth

Sometimes the start with a new baby goes differently than hoped. If your child cries a lot in the first few weeks, has difficulty feeding, or you have concerns about their health and development, the pediatrician is always your first and most important point of contact. Do not hesitate to seek medical advice.

Bureaucracy is not a priority in these moments. Medical questions and the well-being of your child always come first. Since child benefit is paid retroactively for up to six months, you can safely postpone the applications until your daily life has stabilized. Take the pressure off yourself and focus on what really matters.

Documents After Birth: What Happens Next

As soon as your child is born, you initiate the final steps. You apply for the birth certificates at the hospital or the local registry office. You often directly receive special copies that are explicitly marked for applying for child benefit and parental allowance. You attach these originals or certified copies to your application.

Your child's tax identification number is usually generated completely automatically by the Federal Central Tax Office as soon as the child is registered with the residents' registration office. A few weeks after the birth, you will receive a letter with this number by mail. As soon as this letter arrives, your application package is complete. Enter the number in the prepared form, add the birth certificate, and send everything off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send the application for child benefit before the birth?

No, unfortunately that is not possible. The family benefits office absolutely needs the exact date of birth, the birth certificate, and your child's tax identification number to legally process the application.

How long does processing the application take?

Many family benefit offices take an average of about four to six weeks for processing. During times with particularly high volume, it can take a little longer. However, since child benefit is paid retroactively for up to six months, you will not lose any money.

Do I need a completely new main application for each additional child?

If you already receive child benefit for an older child, the process is a bit simpler. You then do not have to fill out the entire main application again, but can use a shortened application for child benefit for an additional child. However, the child annex must be filled out separately for each newborn.

Summary

• The actual application for child benefit can only be made after the birth.
• Forms such as the main application and the child annex can be downloaded and almost completely filled out during pregnancy.
• Look up your own tax identification number early on.
• Set up digital access, such as BundID or Elster, in good time for online application.
• After the birth, you only need to add the date of birth, the child's tax ID, and the birth certificate.
• Child benefit is paid retroactively for up to six months.