For dads in Japan
After the birth: the first two weeks, in order
All English guides for dads日本語で読む
Checked: ・ Written by: Hiroshi editorial team ・ No health content (numbers checked against official sources) ・ Editorial policy (JA)
Two hard deadlines: birth registration within 14 days※ and child allowance within 15 days※. Do both in one trip to the ward office, ideally in the first week.
Birth registration and child allowance both have a hard deadline in the first two weeks; foreign nationals also apply for the baby's status of residence within 30 days.
Two weeks, day by day
- Day 0-3 (hospital): collect the birth registration form with the hospital's part filled in. Ask about the bill: with direct payment the grant goes to the hospital※.
- Day 3-7 (ward office, one trip): birth registration + child allowance + your ward's medical card for children. Ask for a certificate of acceptance and a resident record.
- Day 7-10 (employer): add the baby to your health insurance through HR; confirm your leave dates. Paternity leave fits anywhere in the first 8 weeks※.
- Day 10-14 (embassy): passport from your home country※, if your baby is not Japanese.
- By day 30 (immigration): status of residence application※. See residence status and passport.
Leave money starts here
If you take 14+ days in the first 8 weeks, a 13% top-up may apply※. Numbers: paternity leave pay. Where your ward's counters are: Tokyo wards. Still expecting? Start with what the dad sets up during pregnancy.
In 2 minutes
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- Birth registration (shussei todoke) is due within 14 days of the birth (3 months if born abroad).
戸籍法 第49条 - Apply within 15 days from the day after the birth so payments start without a gap; late months are generally lost.
こども家庭庁 児童手当Q&A(一般) - A child born in Japan who will stay beyond 60 days must apply for a status of residence within 30 days of birth (Immigration Control Act art. 22-2).
出入国管理及び難民認定法 第22条の2 - If both parents are foreign nationals the child does not get Japanese nationality; report the birth to the home country and get the child's passport from that country's embassy.
Immigration Services Agency, 在留資格取得許可申請 - Postpartum paternity leave: up to 4 weeks (28 days) within 8 weeks of the birth, in up to 2 parts, separate from regular childcare leave.
厚労省 母性健康管理サイト 産後パパ育休 - Postnatal leave support benefit: an extra 13% of wages for up to 28 days, if the dad takes 14+ days within 8 weeks of the birth and (in principle) the mom also takes 14+ days.
厚労省 育児休業給付 シミュレーター FAQ - With direct payment, the hospital receives the grant; if the bill is lower, you get the difference.
出産育児一時金｜出産育児一時金・出産手当金｜給付と手続き｜協会けんぽ