Requesting Maternity Leave

Maternity leave grants the right to paid time off work before and after childbirth, with daily benefits from CPAM. This right requires declaring the pregnancy at the appropriate time and providing necessary documents.

This page explains how to request this leave, what information to provide, and offers a ready-to-use letter template, plus a tool to automatically generate your personalized letter.

When should you write this letter?

• You want to submit your maternity leave application before childbirth;
• You had difficulty declaring the pregnancy on time;
• You need to clarify your leave start date;
• You need information about extending leave in special cases.

In all these cases, a written letter remains a reliable way to resolve your situation.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and social security number;
• The expected date of childbirth;
• Your desired maternity leave start date;
• Documents attached (pregnancy certificate, employment contract).

The more accurate this information is, the faster your request will be processed.

Official letter template

Important note: the letter sent to CPAM must be written in French, as it is a French administration. Below is a template you can use as a basis.

[First name LAST NAME]
[Full address]
[Social security number]

CPAM of [Department]
[CPAM address]

Written in [City], on [Date]

Subject: Maternity leave request

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am requesting my maternity leave, the expected date of childbirth being [date].

[...]

→ The complete letter, tailored precisely to your situation and ready to send, is generated automatically in 3 minutes using the tool above.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is maternity leave?

It varies depending on the number of dependent children and births, usually between 16 and 46 weeks.

When does leave start?

Usually 6 weeks before the expected childbirth date, according to your choice.

Can part of the leave be moved to after childbirth?

Yes, within certain limits, with doctor's approval.

Do benefits equal my full salary?

Usually calculated based on average income, within a specified ceiling.

What if the child is born early?

Leave duration is adjusted according to the actual birth date.