Naming ceremonies
What is a civil naming ceremony 
A naming ceremony is a special way of celebrating the birth of
your baby, the new arrival into the family. It is also ideal for
welcoming of stepchildren into a new family.
The ceremony also provides an opportunity to formally announce
the names chosen for your child and your reasons behind the
choice.
Parents can make promises before their family and friends of
their commitment to support and nurture their child throughout
their life, Family and friends can also make promises of their
special support and relationship to the child and parents.
The child/children can be of any age and you can create your own
unique ceremony for every person involved to pledge their love and
support to the child’s future development
What happens at a civil naming ceremony?
Our ceremony can consist of eleven parts:
- Celebrants introduction and welcome
- Reading (optional)
- Naming of the child
- Promises by parents
- Promises by supporting adults/ friends
- Grand parents promises (optional)
- Reading (optional)
- Signing of certificate
- Presentation of gifts for child (optional)
- Closing words by celebrant
- Photographs.
Other possible inclusions may include the lighting of a
candle or musical additions.
There is plenty of scope for making your ceremony a personal and
unique occasion. You have the option to choose from a variety of
promises, or you can write your own promises. You can include
promises being made by supporting adults/ friends and from grand
parents. You can also include readings or personal speeches.
Where and when can a ceremony take place?
You can book your ceremony to take place at Rochdale Register
Office (Roche Suite) or at one of our 11 approved venues for civil
ceremonies. A trained celebrant from Rochdale Register Office will
conduct the ceremony.
Your ceremony can take place any day of the year (excluding
Christmas Day and Boxing Day) between 10am-4pm. The fees charged
for your ceremony will vary dependant on the location and the day
of the week.
How long does the ceremony last?
A ceremony lasts about 20–30 minutes depending on the choices
made by the family concerned.
Is there a certificate issued at the
ceremony?
Yes. A Civil Naming Ceremony certificate is signed during the
ceremony by the parents, supporting adults and the celebrant and
given as a memento of the occasion.
Do civil naming ceremonies have any legal
status?
No. A civil naming ceremony is simply a ceremony of celebration
for a family to make public promises and to welcome and introduce
their child to their wider family and friends.
Provisional bookings
If you wish to have your civil ceremony in the Roche Suite or at
a licensed venue within the borough, you can make a provisional
booking with us to secure a date and time for your ceremony.
Provisional bookings can be made up to 2 years in advance of the
ceremony and are subject to a fee of £25 which is a one off fee and
non-refundable. Should you wish to make a provisional booking,
please contact the office.