A civil naming ceremony is a non-religious alternative to church christenings and is available through the Herefordshire Registration Service. It's a special way to celebrate and welcome a new child into the family - an opportunity to announce the child's name and for the parents and supporting adults to pledge their commitment. Children of any age can be included in a ceremony - it can also be used to embrace an adoptive or step child into a new family and parents do not have to be married Civil ceremonies are carried out by a professional celebrant at a Register Office or at one of the venues approved by Herefordshire Council 
If you wish to hold the ceremony at one of these venues, you will need to contact them first to ascertain their charges and availability. Ceremonies take about 20 minutes but can be up to 30 minutes if more readings & options are included. For current fees, please contact the Register Office Ceremonies can be personalised and readings or music, relatives or friends can also be included as 'guide parents' or mentors. There are many ways to mark the occasion, including planting a tree or completing a book in which everyone present can write comments for the child to read in future years. For more information (including a list of suitable venues) or to arrange an appointment to discuss a ceremony, contact Hereford Register Office: Town Hall St Owen St Hereford HR1 2PJ 01432 260565 e-mail: registrars@herefordshire.gov.uk www.herefordshire.gov.uk |