From August 2003 Northamptonshire County Council is delighted to be able to offer the opportunity for you to hold a naming ceremony for your child or children. These provide a wonderful opportunity to welcome a child into a family and for adults involved, from parents to grandparents, to acknowledge their responsibilities to the child.
In Northamptonshire you can hold these ceremonies at any Register Office, any licensed venue for civil marriages, and any other public building for example sports centres, village halls, public house subject to health and safety requirements and subject to the availability of both a Celebrant and the location.
Bookings may be currently made up to one full calendar year in advance. Please contact us using the details on the right for further information.
Do Naming Ceremonies have a legal status?
No. They are simply something that you, as parents, choose to do as a public gesture of love and commitment to your child. Unlike a Birth Certificate, which is a compulsory legal document, the Record of the Ceremony cannot be used as proof of identification. Neither is the ceremony legally binding on those who take part in it.
What exactly is a Naming Ceremony?
A Naming Ceremony is a very special way of celebrating the birth of your child and welcoming the new arrival into the family and the wider community. It's also an opportunity to declare, before family and friends, your promise to be as good a parent as you can, and for adult friends of relatives to confirm their special relationship with your child. It's a unique occasion for everyone to feel involved as they pledge their love and support for your child's future development.
What happens at a Naming Ceremony?
All Naming Ceremonies have six essential sections: Introduction and Welcome, Reading, Naming of the Child (or children), Parents' Promises, Promises by Supporting Adults and Closing Words. You can choose to add any of the following additional sections: Reasons for the names, Hopes for the child's future, Parents' vows to each other, Grandparents' promises, Absent guests, Further readings and presentation of a gift to the child. There are many ways to make your child's ceremony a very personal and unique event.
Who will conduct the ceremony?
A fully trained professional Celebrant from your local authority will carry out the ceremony according to the choices you make.
How long does the ceremony last?
A ceremony usually takes about 15 minutes but can be up to 30 minutes if more readings and options are included. During the ceremony a souvenir Record of the Ceremony is signed by parents, supporting adults and the Celebrant.
Who makes the arrangements, and can I include my other children?
Any parent can make the arrangements, or anyone else who has parental responsibility or legal guardianship of the child. Parents do not have to be married, neither is a Naming Ceremony just for babies, children of any age can have a Naming Ceremony. You may wish to include your older children in the ceremony as well as your new child
Where are ceremonies held?
The Local Authority will have details of the venues available in your area. In Northamptonshire you can hold these ceremonies at any Register Office, any licensed venue for civil marriages, and any other public building for example sports centres, village halls, public house subject to health and safety requirements and subject to the availability of both a Celebrant and the location.
Who should I contact to arrange a Naming Ceremony?
If you would like to book a ceremony please phone (01604) 707907 and give the following details; your name, daytime contact number, full postal address, required location, date and time. You will receive confirmation that we have your request within 2 working days. A Celebrant will then be in contact within 14 working days of your initial enquiry to either confirm the booking or discuss alternatives available.
Current fees are (from April 1 2008):
Initial fee (non refundable deposit) £50
This will entitle you to the information pack from which you may select your own choice of ceremony
Selected Register Offices*
| Weekdays during opening hours |
£150 (inc £50) |
| Weekdays outside normal hours by arrangement |
£190 (inc £50) |
| Saturdays |
£220 (inc £50) |
| Sundays and Bank Holidays |
£300 (inc £50) |
| Approved Venues |
|
| Weekdays |
£200 (inc £50) |
| Saturdays |
£250 (inc £50) |
| Sundays and Bank Holidays |
£300 (inc £50) |
Conditions
*Dependent on which Register Office is used there may be a room hire charge at certain times over the weekend, for which NCC has no control.
Fees are payable approximately a month prior to the ceremony or sooner whichever is appropriate.
You will be advised in advance if any additional fees are to be charged.
We are able to accept payment by any form of credit card with the exception of Diners Card and American Express.
All fees will be taken at the time you meet your Celebrant to discuss ceremony details, of which £30 is non refundable under any circumstances. It should be noted that fees may be reviewed periodically.
It should be stressed that the ceremony has no legal status and you will be required to provide a birth certificate to confirm the child has already been registered according to law.
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