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Forms and more forms for new parents in Cyprus.
There are plenty of forms that need filling in if you are a new parent in Cyprus and all of them seem to go to a different place. For example:
Hearing Test
Once your child is born you need to take him/her for a hearing test. This can be done at a few different places island wide. One of them is the local general hospital which they will organise for you if you have the baby there. However if you have it a private clinic you need to ensure your doctor gives you a special form and you call the The Center for Preventive Paediatrics and book an appointment. This is done free however they do ask you to leave a small donation of your choice to help them. If you prefer to do it at the general hospital you will need to go in the morning to the children’s clinic. This test only takes a few minutes and its totally pain free.
Birth Certificate
One of the other forms you need to make sure you get is the first ever piece of paper you will get for your child. The doctor fills this form in with the all the necessary details; parents name, date of birth and child name etc. You must ensure at this time that the correct spelling is on the form as this is the form you take to get a birth certificate and when I took mine I had to get them to reissue the birth certificate as they spelt my name and my sons name in incorrectly. They do re issue birth certificates however they don’t like to. You can give them a piece of paper with the correct spelling on for added security. In Cyprus you are only allowed two first names and two last names. Birth certificates are issued on the spot.
Child Benefits
Once you have the birth certificate (they give you up to 5 copies) you then need to think about child benefits. This must done as soon as possible otherwise you could miss out on the current year’s benefits and will have to wait till the end of the following year. Ie. If your child is born in March 2010 and you haven’t submitted your form within 3 months you will not receive befits till 2011.
The forms for Child Benefits can be found online at the Ministry of Finance website but note that they are all in Greek. With these forms you need to attach copies of the child’s birth certificate which must be in English or Greek language (others need to be officially translated with a stamp to either of those languages), your ID cards (for Cypriots) or alien cards and confirmation from your local village mayor that your child actually lives with you!
If you are unmarried you need to also attach an affidavit that you are divorced and from which date the child is living with you.
Immunisations
After the birth of your child you will also be issued with a log book. You must carry this with you each time you visit a doctor for any reason if your child is sick. This keeps a log of your baby’s growth and immunisation schedule. All immunisations can be done free at any local general hospital. You do not need a hospital card or anything, you just show up with your log book and it’s done in the morning or Wednesday afternoons. Call your local hospital however to find out the best times.
For more information visit www.parentingincyprus.com
Alethea Ayres
Parenting in Cyprus
