Do I have to name my baby before I leave the hospital? Chicago IL.?

No - some cultures don't name girl babies for 1 week after birth or more. It is not a legality issue, just easier and less of a 'process' if you do it before leaving the hospital.

I"m not sure in IL but this is the rule in Colorado. You do not have to name child before you leave the hospital but a social security number cannot be issued until you do. The birth cert will be processed without baby's name but all your info will be on it. When you decide a name, you go to the dept of public health and environment and give the name. They will charge you a fee to make a change on the certificate. Then you will have to go to the social security office and apply for a number which is a big hassle because they require all kinds of paperwork. It will be easier for you to try and name the baby before you leave the hospital.

I process birth certificates in the state of Colorado

Most states have laws that will no longer allow the baby to leave without a name. Period. In the past, they would fill out the birth certificate with No Name or just Baby, but not anymore. These changes are mostly due to Identity Theft. I don't know how this makes a difference. In the news report, they referred to 10 babies who did not have names prior to leaving the hospital whose identities were then stolen and used to do hundreds of transactions of money laundering.

you generally have to give them a name to put on the birth certificate before you can take the baby out of the hospital.

Here's what I did with my daughter. I had it narrowed down to three I really liked. I just waited until she was born and the first one of those that popped into my mind when I first got a look at her is what I named her. She looked like a Niki to me and that became her name.

No, but if you don't, you will have to submit the social security number application yourself from home, which isn't a big deal.

If you decide on a name in hospital, the hospital will file the paperwork for you, which is nice if you are still recuperating and don't have a mind for that stuff.

I personally like to wait a few weeks to bond with my baby, before I tack an important name on her.

generally the hospital files the birth certificate and it 's nice to have a name on it. Or you probably will have to pay more money to get the name put on it .

When my son was born, they gave me the paperwork for the birth certificate and S.S. card at the hospital. I think I had 7 days to fill it out (in PA).

But, I had filled it out the next day and they took care of it for me.

They will put nothing until you name him. you might want to thinkin of a name very soon they do the brith cerficates in the hopsital.

actualy no, I know a person whos had a baby for a few months now and IT still doesn't have a name...
lol
-becca

well actually..... im not a parent but.... be 4 u have the baby u have to tell the nurses her/his name