When you are going home with your baby, paperwork is easy to forget. But these documents matter later for your baby's vaccinations, school admission, passport applications and insurance claims. Getting them after you leave the hospital takes far more time and effort than collecting them before you go.
What to collect before discharge
- Birth registration form or birth certificate process document — most hospitals start this process for you; confirm what's been submitted and what you still need to do yourself
- Mother's discharge summary — details of the delivery, medications given, and any complications
- Baby's discharge summary — a separate document covering your newborn's own delivery and immediate care record
- Vaccination card — recording what's been given at birth (typically BCG, OPV, and the first dose of Hepatitis B)
- Newborn screening reports, if screening was done
- All lab reports generated during your hospital stay, for both mother and baby
- NICU records, if your baby needed any time in neonatal care
- Prescriptions for both mother and baby
- Final hospital bill and insurance papers, including any pre-authorisation or claim documents
Why this paperwork matters later
Every later vaccine is recorded on the vaccination card. The birth certificate is needed for school admission and passport applications years down the line. Discharge summaries and lab reports become the reference point if either of you needs medical care soon after, especially if you see a different doctor. Insurance papers are often time-bound — claims can have deadlines that are easy to miss in the busy first weeks with a newborn.
The one question to ask before you leave
Before you walk out of the hospital, ask the nurse or the front desk directly: "Are all my documents complete?" It is far easier to fix a missing document while you are still at the hospital than to call, email, or go back later.
Save this checklist before your delivery, so you have it ready on the day.
Frequently asked
What if the hospital hasn't finished the birth registration process yet?
Ask what stage it is at and what you need to do to complete it. In many places the hospital submits part of the paperwork, and parents must follow up with the local municipal or registration office afterwards. Get this in writing or clearly explained before you leave. Don't assume it is fully done.
Do I need the NICU records if my baby only spent a short time there?
Yes — keep them regardless of how brief the stay was. They can matter for future paediatric visits, and some insurance claims specifically require them if the NICU stay was billed separately from the main delivery charge.
How soon do I actually need the birth certificate?
There's usually no immediate deadline. But school admissions, passport applications and some insurance processes all ask for it eventually. It is much simpler to request it soon, while the details are fresh, than months or years later.
What should I do if I realise after leaving that something is missing?
Contact the hospital's medical records or administration department directly, ideally within the first few weeks. Most hospitals can issue duplicate discharge summaries or lab reports, but it typically takes longer and sometimes involves a fee compared to collecting it before discharge.