Your personalized checklist - Welcoming a child

• Information related to pregnancy

  Discover helpful information and tools to support your pregnancy. Learn about prenatal care and healthy habits.

  • Assisted human reproduction in Canada
    • Assisted human reproduction in Quebec
  • Pregnancy
  • Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Education:
    • Alberta Prenatal Education
    • British Columbia Prenatal Education
    • Manitoba Prenatal Education
    • New Brunswick Prenatal Education
    • Newfoundland and Labrador Prenatal Education
    • Ontario Prenatal Education
    • Prince Edward Island Prenatal Education
    • Quebec Prenatal Education
    • Saskatchewan Prenatal Education
    • Yukon Prenatal Education

• Information related to surrogacy

  Discover useful information and tools to guide you through the surrogacy process.

  • Prohibitions related to Surrogacy
  • Surrogacy in Quebec

• Information related to adoption

  Learn about the adoption process, its requirements, and the resources available to support your journey to becoming an adoptive parent.

  • Adoption processes in Canada
    • Alberta Adoption
    • British Columbia Adoption
    • Manitoba Adoption
    • New Brunswick Adoption
    • Newfoundland and Labrador Adoption
    • Nova Scotia Adoption
    • Ontario Adoption
    • Prince Edward Island Adoption
    • Quebec Adoption
    • Saskatchewan Adoption
    • Yukon Adoption
    • Nunavut Adoption
    • Northwest Territories Adoption
  • International adoption
    • Adoption process
    • Immigration or citizenship process
    • Adoption authority
    • Avoid adoption issues and delays

• Information related to fostering

  Learn about the fostering process, its requirements, and the resources available to support your journey to becoming a foster caregiver.

  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon

• Healthcare providers

  Learn how to find the right healthcare providers to support you during pregnancy. From choosing a doctor or midwife to understanding your care options, get the guidance you need for a healthy journey.

  • Family doctor or obstetrician-gynecologist
    • Alberta Family doctor
    • British Columbia Family doctor
    • Manitoba Family doctor
    • New Brunswick Family doctor
    • Newfoundland and Labrador Family doctor
    • Nova Scotia Family doctor
    • Ontario Family doctor
    • Prince Edward Island Family doctor
    • Quebec Family doctor
    • Saskatchewan Family doctor
    • Yukon Family doctor
    • Nunavut Family doctor
    • Northwest Territories Family doctor
  • Midwife
    • Alberta Midwife
    • British Columbia Midwife
    • Manitoba Midwife
    • New Brunswick Midwife
    • Newfoundland and Labrador Midwife
    • Northwest Territories Midwife
    • Nova Scotia Midwife
    • Nunavut - Two communities offering midwifery services:
      • Rankin Inlet Health Centre: Phone (867) 645-3960
      • Cambridge Bay Health Centre: Phone (867) 983-4500
    • Ontario Midwife
    • Prince Edward Island Midwife
    • Quebec Midwife
    • Saskatchewan Midwife
    • Yukon Midwife

• Financial support and leave options - Before your/the child is born

  Learn about financial support and leave options available to you and find out how these programs can help you during important times in your life.

  • Maternity benefits

    *Residents of Quebec: The Province of Quebec is responsible for providing maternity, paternity, parental and adoption benefits to its residents. Visit Quebec Parental Insurance Plan for more information.

  • Sickness benefits for a difficult pregnancy
  • Special circumstances
  • Financial support for fertility treatment
    • British Columbia
    • Manitoba
    • New Brunswick
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Nova Scotia
    • Ontario
    • Prince Edward Island
    • Quebec
    • Saskatchewan
    • Yukon

• More resources - Before your/the child is born or is adopted or arrives in the foster family

  • Prohibitions related to Surrogacy
  • Becoming a parent
  • Health and wellness
  • Financial support and leave options
  • Financial support and leave options
  • Proposed GST/HST Treatment of Supplies of Human Ova and In vitro Embryos

• Financial support and leave options - Once your/the child is born or adopted

  Learn about financial support and leave options available to you and find out how these programs can help you during important times in your life.

  • Parental benefits

    *Residents of Quebec: The Province of Quebec is responsible for providing maternity, paternity, parental and adoption benefits to its residents. Visit Quebec Parental Insurance Plan for more information.

  • Member of the Canadian Armed Forces
  • Special circumstances
  • Caregiving benefits for a sick child
  • Child Disability benefit
  • Eligible adoption expenses
  • Additional financial support
    • Canadian Dental Care Plan
    • GST/HST credit
    • Child care expenses
    • Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

• Financial support for surrogate

  Learn about the additional financial support available to you and how these programs can assist you during important times in your life.

  • Financial support for surrogacy
  • Reimbursement of Surrogate Mother for Loss of Work-Related Income
  • Reimbursing a surrogate for expenditures related to surrogacy

• Financial support and leave options for foster parents

  Foster parents are not eligible for Employment Insurance parental benefits. However, they may be entitled to other forms of assistance, such as:

  • Children's Special Allowances (CSA) - a tax-free monthly payment for children in the care of a government agency or foster parent
  • Provincial foster care allowances - which vary by province and are intended to cover the costs of caring for the child.
  • Special circumstances

• Register a birth

  Parents can register their child’s birth, and, in a single application, they may also be able to apply for a birth certificate, a Social Insurance Number, other child benefits and learn about education savings.

  • Alberta Register a birth
  • British Columbia Register a birth
  • Manitoba Register a birth
  • New Brunswick Register a birth
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Register a birth
  • Nova Scotia Register a birth
  • Ontario Register a birth
  • Prince Edward Island Register a birth
  • Quebec Register a birth
  • Saskatchewan Register a birth
  • Yukon Register a birth
  • Nunavut Register a birth
  • Northwest Territories Register a birth

  If the birth occurred in a province different from your place of residence, contact the vital statistics office in the province where the birth took place.

  For more information, refer to Members of the Vital Statistics Council for Canada

• Get a birth certificate or copy of a birth record

  Learn about the steps to apply for a birth certificate based on the requirements of each province and territory in Canada.

  • Alberta Get a birth certificate
  • British Columbia Get a birth certificate
  • Manitoba Get a birth certificate
  • New Brunswick Get a birth certificate
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Get a birth certificate
  • Nova Scotia Get a birth certificate
  • Ontario Get a birth certificate
  • Prince Edward Island Get a birth certificate
  • Quebec Get a birth certificate
  • Saskatchewan Get a birth certificate
  • Yukon Get a birth certificate
  • Nunavut Get a birth certificate
  • Northwest Territories Get a birth certificate

• Health insurance cards

  A health insurance card provides access to healthcare services. Find out how to apply for your child card through your province or territory.

  • Alberta Health insurance
  • British Columbia Health insurance
  • Manitoba Health insurance
  • New Brunswick Health insurance
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Health insurance
  • Northwest Territories Health insurance
  • Nova Scotia Health insurance
  • Nunavut Health insurance
  • Ontario Health insurance
  • Prince Edward Island Health insurance
  • Quebec Health insurance
  • Saskatchewan Health insurance
  • Yukon Health insurance

• Social Insurance Number for your child

  A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is needed for your child to access government benefits and programs. If your newborn is under one year of age and you have not yet registered their birth with your province, you can apply for their SIN through your provincial Newborn Registration Service. This service is available in all Canadian provinces but is not yet offered in the territories.

  If you live in the territories, apply for your child’s SIN directly through Service Canada.

• Apply for a child passport

  Learn about the steps and who can apply for a child passport.

  • Child passport in Canada

• Travelling with children

  Discover useful information and tools to guide you when flying with children, including what to pack in hand luggage, what to expect at security checkpoints, and the documents necessary.

  • Air travel with children
  • Travel documents for children
  • Consent letter for children travelling outside Canada
  • Tips for healthy travel with children

• Children born outside of Canada

  Learn about the steps to take if your child is born outside of Canada, including citizenship, and find resources to help you navigate the process.

  • Children born outside of Canada

• Member of an Indigenous community

  Learn about the registration under the Indian Act and status card applications.

  • Register under the Indian Act
  • Indian status

  Learn about the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program and how to access it. You will also find important health-related resources, contact information and the Drug Benefit List.

  • Non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit

• More resources - Once your/the child is born or is adopted or arrives in the foster family

  • Financial support and leave options
  • Register your child’s birth

• Premature baby

  Learn how to prepare for a premature baby. Understand the care they may need and how to create a safe, supportive space to help them grow and thrive.

  • Alberta Premature baby
  • British Columbia Premature baby
  • New Brunswick Premature baby
  • Nova Scotia Premature baby
  • Ontario Premature baby
  • Prince Edward Island Premature baby
  • Saskatchewan Premature baby

• Postpartum care, child and infant health

  Learn about essential tips on caring for yourself and how to keep your baby healthy. Find resources to support both your recovery and your baby’s growth.

  • Postpartum, child and infant health
  • Your Guide to Postpartum Health and Caring for Your Baby

• Postpartum care

  Learn essential tips for caring for yourself after childbirth and find resources to support your recovery.

  • Your Guide to Postpartum Health

• Financial support - After the first few weeks

  Learn about financial support available to you and find out how these programs can help you during important times in your life.

  • Canada child benefit

• Member of an Indigenous community

  Learn about tax benefits and credits available to members of Indigenous communities through webinars and recordings. Discover how taxes and benefits work for Indigenous Peoples and access valuable resources to support your financial well-being.

  • Learn about tax benefits and credits through webinars and recordings
  • Taxes and benefits for Indigenous Peoples
  • Let us help you get your benefits! Indigenous credit and benefit short return

  Learn about all programs and services available to support the well-being and development of First Nations and Inuit children, families and communities:

  • Jordan's Principle
  • Supporting Inuit children
  • Health services and social programs for Indigenous Peoples
  • Education, training and jobs for Indigenous Peoples

• Childcare options

  Learn about different childcare options to find the one that best fits your needs and those of your child.

  • Alberta childcare
  • British Columbia childcare
  • Manitoba childcare
  • New Brunswick childcare
  • Newfoundland and Labrador childcare
  • Northwest Territories childcare
  • Nova Scotia childcare
  • Nunavut childcare
  • Ontario childcare
  • Prince Edward Island childcare
  • Quebec childcare (French only)
  • Saskatchewan childcare
  • Yukon childcare

• Education saving plans

  The Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a long-term savings plan to help you save for your child's post-secondary education, including trade schools, CEGEPs, colleges, universities, and apprenticeships. Learn how to open a RESP and apply for benefits like government grants and incentives to boost your savings.

  • The Canada Learning Bond (CLB)
  • The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)

  For more information, refer to Registered Education Savings Plans and related benefits

• More resources - After the first few weeks

  • Financial support and leave options
  • Childcare and saving for your child’s education
  • Health and wellness

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