As a result of the new lockdown, there have been changes to some of the services that Registration Services offer in Warwickshire. Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies are not currently taking...
As a result of the new lockdown, there have been changes to some of the services that Registration Services offer in Warwickshire.
Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies are not currently taking place as a result of the new Government guidance.
However, Registration Offices in Warwickshire are open for pre-booked appointments for birth registrations, giving notice of marriage or civil partnership and, where the individual concerned has been invited, for individual citizenship ceremonies.
All death registration appointments continue to take place over the phone.
Marriage and Civil Partnership ceremonies
If a marriage of civil partnership ceremony has been cancelled due to the pandemic, or couples want to move their ceremony date due to coronavirus or the illness of a close relative, they should contact Registration Services to re-book their ceremony at registration@warwickshire.gov.uk.
The registrars will gladly move their ceremony to a later date and waive the re-booking fee. However, if a couple move the booking to a different day of the week or future year, the applicable fee for that day/date would be charged. For more information on marriage authorities, visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/information-coronavirus/coronavirus-births-deaths-ceremonies/1.
Future marriage and civil partnership ceremonies can also still be booked. Couples should email registration@warwickshire.gov.uk and Registration Services will then contact them for details and place a hold on the date and time of their ceremony.
Birth Registrations and Notices of Marriage/Civil Partnership
Unlike during the last lockdown, you can register a birth during this current lockdown by pre-booking an appointment.
At the present time, the appointment is a two-stage process. Initially, all details will be taken by telephone and parents will then be invited into the Registration Office to check the details, sign the register and collect any certificates required.
All appointments for notices of marriage or civil partnership are currently going ahead. Priority is being given to couples marrying within the required legal timeframes.
Anyone attending a Warwickshire Registration Office must have pre-booked their appointment and wear a face covering when attending, unless they are exempt under Government guidelines.
All Warwickshire Registration Offices are COVID-secure, so individuals can be confident that when they visit the offices, they will be doing so in a safe environment.
Birth registration and notice of marriage/civil partnership appointments can be booked online at https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/births-deaths-ceremonies, by calling 0300 555 0255 or emailing registration@warwickshire.gov.uk.
Citizenship Ceremonies
Individual citizenship ceremonies are also continuing as planned. Individuals will receive an invitation from Registration Services once the service has received the necessary documents from the Home Office.
Death Registrations
All death registration appointments continue to take place over the phone.
Hospitals and GPs are now forwarding the Medical Certificate Cause of Death (MCCD) directly to the Registration Offices, who will then make contact to arrange a telephone appointment.
Residents who do not receive a call can book a telephone appointment online at https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/births-deaths-ceremonies, where they can also find out more information on paperwork and obtaining death certificates, or by calling 0300 555 0255.
Councillor Kam Kaur, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation, said:
“This is a very difficult time and the loss of a loved one can be particularly distressing, so we want to reassure residents that Warwickshire Registration Service is there to support them and ensure, where possible, that their needs and wishes are met.
“We want to reassure residents that birth registrations and appointments to give notice of marriage or civil partnership are continuing to run in Warwickshire during this lockdown in our COVID-secure offices.
“Our registrars have been very busy over the past couple of months registering those babies that were born during lockdown as well as those born more recently.
“We also want to reassure new British citizens in Warwickshire that they will be contacted by either the Home Office or Warwickshire Registration Services when we are given details of their citizenship approval.
“A citizenship ceremony is an important part of the process of becoming a British citizen, as we welcome new citizens into our community in Warwickshire.”
For more information on all the current changes to Registration Services due to lockdown, please visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/information-coronavirus/coronavirus-births-deaths-ceremonies/1.