Civil naming ceremonies

Shropshire County Council is pleased to offer the opportunity for parents to celebrate the birth and naming of their child with their family and friends

Where can I have a ceremony?
At any Register Office across the county of Shropshire on a weekday during their opening hours, or at any of the approved venues in the county of Shropshire at a mutually convenient time, Saturdays and Sundays included. See the link on this page for a list of approved venues in Shropshire

How do I arrange a naming ceremony?
You should first contact Shrewsbury Register Office on 0845 678 9016 to discuss and arrange your ceremony requirements. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.45 pm. You will be required to produce the child's birth certificate to the registration service officer at the time of booking your ceremony.

The words of the ceremony are used as an outline. You can personalise your ceremony by including readings and by asking other people to be involved in some way by making promises. For example, you may appoint chosen friends or family to make promises regarding the welfare of your child. You can download our example wording, suggested readings and suggested room layout via the links on this page.

What is the charge for this ceremony?
The current charges for this ceremony are as follows:

• for a ceremony at the Shropshire Register Office, Shrewsbury or in any of the Registration Service ceremony rooms situated in Ludlow, Oswestry, Wem, Bridgnorth and Bishops Castle - £126 including VAT
• for a ceremony at an approved venue, taking place on a Monday to Friday - £147 including VAT
• for a ceremony at an approved venue taking place on a Saturday - £168 including VAT
• for a ceremony at an approved venue, taking place on a Sunday or Bank holiday (excluding Christmas day and Good Friday) - £178.50 including VAT

The ceremony

• opening words
• reading
• naming of the child
• parents' promises for the raising of their child
• chosen family or friends promises
• grandparents' promises
• signing of the record of ceremony
• presentation of the certificate (this will have no legal status) and closing words

The ceremony will be conducted by Registration Service personnel, acting in their capacity as celebrants not registration officers.

Certificates
A commemorative certificate will be presented as a memento of the occasion; these certificates have no legal standing.

Important

• these ceremonies have no legal status
• you cannot have any religious content in your naming ceremony
• the ceremony cannot be used to change a child's name
• the registration service officers will not be acting in their official capacity as registrars