Paternity leave and pay: the information you need before your baby comes

Antenatal appointments

Dads and partners have a legal right to take unpaid time off work to go along to two antenatal appointments (Gov.uk, no date a).

You’re entitled to take a maximum of six and a half hours per appointment including travelling and waiting time (Gov.uk, no date a).

If you want or need to take any extra time, you can take it as annual leave. You could also offer to make up the time later or work from home part of the day, if logistics are tricky.

Some employers will give you paid time off too, or give you more time than the legal minimum. So make sure you don’t miss out and check your HR policy on this (Acas, no date a).

Your employer can ask you to confirm the following in writing or electronically:

• You are the spouse/partner (including civil partner or same-sex partner) of the mother or baby’s father.
• You are taking time off to go to an antenatal appointment.
• The appointment is made on the advice of a registered health professional.
• The date and time of the appointment (Working Families 2021a).

Your employer shouldn’t refuse unpaid time off or treat you unfairly for asking. If that does happen, you can make a claim at an employment tribunal within three months (Acas, no date b).

Paternity leave: how it works

It's still called paternity leave if you are a same-sex couple. Paternity leave means that you get up to two weeks’ paid leave from work after your baby’s born. You can’t take odd days or two separate weeks (Gov.uk, no date a).

You’ve got to take the time after your baby’s born and no later than 56 days after the birth (Gov.uk, no date a).

Can I get paternity leave?

To be eligible for Statutory Paternity Leave you must be an employee and:

• Have, or expect to have, responsibility for the child’s upbringing.
• Be the biological father or the mother’s husband, partner or civil partner (including same-sex partners) and have responsibility for the child’s upbringing.
• Have worked continuously for your employer for 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due.
• Still be employed by the same employer once the baby is born. (Working Families 2022)

Your employer might ask for self-certification ('form SC3'), which you must sign and confirm to the best of your knowledge that you're:

• Eligible for paternity leave.
• Taking the leave to care for your child.

This form can be found on the GOV.UK website here (Acas, no date c).

Paternity rights if you’re self-employed

Agency workers, zero hours contract workers, casuals, freelancers and contractors don’t qualify for paternity leave (Working Families 2021b).

However you may still qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) if you are an 'employed earner' (where someone, for example an agency, pays employer's national insurance). (Working Families 2022)

If you’re not entitled to SPP, you may be able to claim Universal Credit (depending on your household income and circumstances) to cover any period of unpaid leave.

Can I get paternity pay?

You are entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) if you:

• Have worked continuously for your employer for 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your baby is due.
• Are still employed by the same employer once your baby is born.
• Earn at least £120 a week before tax, during an eight-week calculation period (eight weeks before the 15th week before your baby is due).

(Gov.uk, no date a)

Paternity pay calculator: how much could I get?

SPP is paid at the same flat rate as Statutory Maternity Pay (£151.97 or 90% of your average earnings if lower). But paternity leave only lasts for one or two weeks (Gov.uk, no date a).

Agency workers, zero hours contract workers, casuals and freelancers and contractors who are paid through PAYE and have tax and National Insurance deducted at source are entitled to SPP if they meet the qualifying conditions above (Working Families 2021b).

Self-employed dads and partners are not entitled to paternity leave and SPP (unless they pay themselves via PAYE and pay Class 1 National Insurance) (Working Families 2021b).

Find out how much paternity pay you are entitled to using the Government’s online calculator.

Paternity leave form

You have to give your employer notice of the date you want to take paternity leave by the 15th week before your baby is due.

When you ask for paternity leave, you should provide the following information:

You can use your employer’s own forms or form SC3, available on GOV.UK.

You now also have the right to take Shared Parental Leave with your partner, if you want more time with your baby - and if you and your partner meet the qualifying conditions (Gov.uk, no date b).

This page was last reviewed in February 2022.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

Acas advice on employment rights: 0300 123 1100.

Equality and Human Rights Commission Toolkit for Employers.

Equality Advisory Support Service advice on discrimination and human rights: 0808 800 0082.

Details on paternity rights in the workplace can be found on GOV.UK.

HM Revenue & Customs Helpline for employers on statutory pay: 0300 200 3200, employees 0300 200 3500.

Call the Maternity Action helpline on 0845 600 8533 for information on maternity rights.

Working Families helpline: 0300 012 0312 or email: advice@workingfamilies.org.uk.