Who is this guide for?
This guide is for you if pregnancy has been confirmed, a child will be born in Finland, or you want to understand which official steps come immediately after a child is born.
The guide does not give medical advice. It shows the administrative path: maternity and child health clinic, pregnancy certificate, Kela, post-birth records and the next DVV step.
What to do after pregnancy is confirmed
After pregnancy is confirmed, contact the maternity and child health clinic or the service indicated by your wellbeing services county. The clinic follows the pregnancy and guides practical matters. For official matters, also ask when you can get the pregnancy certificate for Kela applications.
From pregnancy to child registration
Step 1
Contact the maternity and child health clinic or follow wellbeing services county guidance
Follow messages and reply to requests on time.
Step 2
Ask when the pregnancy certificate can be issued
This is the next point in the route.
Step 3
Check Kela guidance on pregnancy and family benefits
Check your situation before the next action.
Step 4
Prepare for the child's records to continue to the DVV step after birth
This is the next point in the route.
Step 5
Next, check child registration and name guidance
Check your situation before the next action.
Maternity and child health clinic
The maternity and child health clinic is part of the wellbeing services county's health and family services. It is usually the first service the family contacts during pregnancy. The clinic can guide pregnancy, preparation for birth and services after the child is born.
Family Guide does not assess health or treatment. If you have a medical question, follow the official guidance of the clinic, healthcare services or emergency services.
Pregnancy certificate
Kela benefits related to pregnancy usually require a pregnancy certificate. You can get it from the maternity and child health clinic or another healthcare service when the official condition is met. Check Kela's current guidance to see which application needs the certificate and how to apply.
Why the certificate matters
The pregnancy certificate connects the clinic step to Kela applications. Without it, some pregnancy-related benefits may not move forward.
Preparing for the birth
In this guide, preparation means arranging official matters. Find out how to contact the clinic and the place of birth, where Kela applications are submitted and what information the family may be asked for after the child is born.
If the family has an immigration-related situation, also check whether the parents' personal records, address and municipality of residence are up to date. Wrong or missing records can make later steps harder.
What happens after the birth
After the birth, the child's records start to move into official systems. Records of a child born in Finland are connected to DVV's Population Information System. The family usually needs to take care of at least the child's name and checking that the records are correct.
For Kela matters, parental allowances, child benefit and other family benefits may become relevant after birth. Kela processes benefits separately from DVV population records.
Which authorities are involved?
Wellbeing services county and clinic
The maternity and child health clinic and other health services belong to the wellbeing services county. They guide practical pregnancy and birth services.
Kela
Kela processes benefits related to pregnancy, parental leave and families with children. Applications and attachments are checked from Kela guidance.
DVV
DVV maintains population records. After birth, the DVV step may concern the child's records, name and family relationships.
Migri if needed
If the parent or child's right of residence is unclear, check Migri guidance separately.
If you need a sign language interpreter
If you need a sign language interpreter at the clinic, with Kela or in DVV matters, arrange interpreting early. Kela's interpreting service for disabled people is a separate service that requires a Kela decision.
If needed, ask the authority for written guidance. It helps you prepare for the appointment with an interpreter.
Related guides
Next step
Next, check how the child's records and name are registered after birth.