Your personalized checklist - Welcoming a child
Based on the responses you provided here is your personalized checklist. It includes options and recommendations tailored to your needs.
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Before your/the child is born or adopted
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Information related to pregnancy
Discover helpful information and tools to support your pregnancy. Learn about prenatal care and healthy habits.
- 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
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Information related to surrogacy
Discover useful information and tools to guide you through the surrogacy process.
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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
- International adoption
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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
- Family doctor or obstetrician-gynecologist
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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
- Maternity benefits
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More resources - Before your/the child is born or adopted
Once your/the child is born or adopted
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Financial support and leave options - Once 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.
- 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
- Parental benefits
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Apply for a child passport
Learn about the steps and who can apply for a child passport.
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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.
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More resources - Once your/the child is born or adopted
After the first few weeks
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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.
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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.
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Postpartum care
Learn essential tips for caring for yourself after childbirth and find resources to support your recovery.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
For more information, refer to Registered Education Savings Plans and related benefits
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More resources - After the first few weeks
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