What Paternity Benefit Form Should I Submit in Ireland?

Paternity Benefit is a social welfare payment for employed and self-employed people on paternity leave in Ireland. 

The forms you need to submit while applying for Paternity Benefit include: 

• PB1: Paternity Benefit Form, and

• PB2: Employer Certificate for Paternity Benefit, or 

• PB3: Medical Certificate for Paternity Benefit (Self-employed people)

Let’s take a detailed look at each form.

The 3 Irish Paternity Benefit Forms 

Fill out a PB1 form and either a PB2 or PB3 form, depending on whether you’re employed or self-employed. 

We’ll cover all the information you must provide on these forms below.

1. PB1 Form (Paternity Benefit Form)

Employed or self-employed people who want to apply for Paternity Benefit must complete the Paternity Benefit application form.

You can fill out and submit this form online on mywelfare.ie (along with a PB2 or PB3 form). 

If you prefer a physical form, contact the Paternity Benefit Section to receive one. 

In your PB1 form, you’ll need to provide the following information:

• Contact and personal details

• Declaration

• Details of your paternity leave 

• Claim and work details

• Your payment details

• Payment direct to your employer (optional)

• Spouses, civil partner, or cohabitant details (including work and claim details)

• Details of your child/children

Your doctor needs to provide the following details of birth:

• Mother’s name and PPS number

• The date of birth or the expected due date of your baby

• Doctor’s name

• DSP panel and IMC number

• Doctor’s signature and official stamp

• Date of certification

• Doctor’s address, phone number, email address

Download the PB1 form here.

2. PB2 Form (Employer Certificate for Paternity Benefit) 

Your employer must complete the PB2 form to certify your entitlement to paternity leave.

Your employer must fill out the following information on the PB2 form.

• Your PPS (Personal Public Service) number

• Your name 

• The date of birth or the expected due date of your baby (you’ll need to supply this)

• The start and end date of your paternity leave

• Your employer’s financial institution information (if the employee directs the payment to the employer’s bank account)

• Your employer’s contact details, like:

  • Registered number

  • Name

  • Address

  • Phone number

  • Email address

• Employer declaration, which should include:

  • Their signature

  • Their official stamp

  • Their position in the company

  • The date of certification

Download the PB2 form here.

3. PB3 Form (Medical Certificate for Paternity Benefit)

If you are self-employed, you must submit the PB3 form completed by your doctor certifying your paternity leave.

You must fill out your name and PPS number in the PB3 form. 

Your doctor needs to provide the following details of birth:

• Details of Birth 

  • Mother’s name and PPS number

  • Expected due date or date of birth of the child

  • Doctor’s name

  • DEASP panel and IMC number

  • Doctor’s signature and official stamp

  • Date of certification

  • Doctor’s address, phone number, email address

Self-employed people should apply for Paternity Benefit at least 12 weeks before the start of their paternity leave.

Download the PB3 form here.

How to Submit Your Paternity Benefit Forms?

As mentioned earlier, you can submit Paternity Benefit applications through an online form.

Apply for Paternity Benefit by completing the online application form and submitting it with a PB2 or PB3 form on mywelfare.ie (You’ll need a verified MyGovID and a Public Services Card).

Submitting Your Paternity Benefit via Post 

Complete the PB1 application form and submit the postal application along with the PB2 or PB3 form to:  

Paternity Benefit Section,

Department of Social Protection,

McCarter's Road, Buncrana, Donegal, 

Ireland, F93 CH79

Check out our in-depth guide on Applying for Irish Paternity Benefit. 

5 FAQs on Paternity Benefit

Here are answers to some common questions about Paternity Benefit.

1. Who Can Apply for Paternity Leave?

If you are a relevant parent of the child, you can apply for paternity leave.

Relevant parents of the child include:

• The father 

• The partner (spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant) of the birth mother 

• Parent of a donor-conceived child 

• Parent who does not qualify for adoptive leave

• Sole adopter

To qualify for paternity leave, you must also have:

• Enough PRSI Contributions 

• Certified Paternity Leave 

Paternity leave can only be taken for 2 consecutive weeks.

2. How Do You Fill Out Your Paternity Leave Forms as an Adoptive Parent?

In case of adoption, you should apply for paternity leave within the first 6 months after the date of placement. 

You can apply by completing the relevant forms based on your employment type. You must also provide a certificate of placement in relation to the child.

In the case of foreign adoption, you must provide a declaration of eligibility and suitability in relation to the child and details of the actual or expected day of placement in writing.

3. Do You Need to Resend Your Paternity Leave Form in the Case of Premature Birth?

You can change the date of your paternity leave if your child is born prematurely (before the start of your paternity leave). 

Your employer (or doctor if you’re self-employed) should provide a letter confirming the new dates and the child’s date of birth. 

4. What Should You Do in the Case of Stillbirth or Miscarriage?

You are entitled to a 2-week paternity leave and Paternity Benefit (provided you meet the PRSI requirements) if the stillbirth happens after the 24th week of pregnancy. 

Your doctor must provide a letter confirming the expected date of birth, the actual date of birth, and the number of weeks of pregnancy. This needs to be submitted along with your form.

Note: In the case of a stillbirth, your paternity leave must still be certified by your employer or you (if you’re self-employed).  

5. Which Forms Do You Need to Postpone Your Paternity Leave?

You can postpone your Paternity Benefit for a period of 6 months due to hospitalisation or delay in placement of the child.

You must get a letter from your employer (or doctor if self-employed) confirming the new date of birth and mail it to the Paternity Benefit Section of the Department of Social Protection.

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