Information & support for new parents

Child Benefit

You should make a claim for Child Benefit (gov.uk) after registering the birth.

In addition to monthly payments, Child Benefit can help protect your state pension (by providing National Insurance credits for periods away from work) and ensures that each child automatically receives their National Insurance Number at age 16. 

  • For your first child, you must complete the Child Benefit claim form (gov.uk). This should be sent to the Child Benefit office.
  • If you don’t have access to a printer, you can call 0300 200 3100 to request a form in the post.
  • The form also contains information for the small minority of families who may be eligible for the High-Income Child Benefit Charge (gov.uk).
  • If you already have a Child Benefit claim, you can add further children by calling HMRC on the number above.

Support for new parents

Support for families

Family Hub East Sussex helps families from pregnancy onwards.

  • Help with pregnancy, birth and the early years, to give your child the best start in life.
  • What family hubs have to offer dads, partners and step-parents with children of all ages.
  • How to contact our family advice service if you are struggling with any aspects of family life.
  • Join a session or group and learn positive parenting skills to make family life easier.

Postnatal depression (PND)

Postnatal depression (PND) can be experienced by many parents after having a baby. It can affect any parent. It doesn't matter if they’ve suffered from a mental health condition before.

Postnatal depression is a common problem, affecting 1 in 10 women within a year of giving birth.

It can also affect dads and partners.

Get help from PANDAS Foundation UK

Changing a child's forenames

An unbaptised child's forename(s) can be changed in the register under certain, specific circumstances.

  • The application and change to the register must take place within 12 months of the original registration.

Or

  • The application and change to the register may be after 12 months of the original registration where the applicant supplies the Registrar with evidence showing the new name was used for the child within the first 12 months.

The original name remains on the register entry, but the new name is inserted in space 17 at the foot of the page and takes precedence.

  • Complete Form 14 below and submit the completed form with payment of the statutory £44 fee to the register office.
  • All original certificates should be surrendered to the register office.
  • This change to the register does not require you to attend the register office.
  • Order new certificates showing the new name after this change has been completed.

Call 0345 60 80 198 to arrange for a Space 17 Change of name.

Application Form Guide (Form 14) [56.9 KB] [pdf]

A guide to help you complete the application to change a child's name.

Changing your child's name in baptism

A child's forename(s) can be changed on the register when baptised according to the rites of the Christian Church within the first 12 months.

  • The original name remains on the register entry, but the new name is inserted in space 17 at the foot of the page and takes precedence.
  • The officiating Minister or person with custody of the baptismal register should complete Form 13 below.
  • The parents should submit the completed form with payment of the statutory £44 fee to the register office.
  • All original certificates should be surrendered to the register office.
  • This change to the register does not require you to attend the register office.
  • Order new certificates showing the new name after this change has been completed.

Call 0345 60 80 198 to arrange for a Space 17 Change of name given in baptism.