Child and baby naming

A naming ceremony is one way in which parents can celebrate and welcome a child or children into the family, usually inviting relations and friends to share in the occasion.

The ceremony is an opportunity to announce the names which have been chosen for the child, but there is much more to the occasion than that. As a parent you will make promises of commitment to your child, which is a way of saying that you will try to be as good a parent as possible.

Adult friends or relatives, chosen by you, take part in the ceremony as 'supporting adults' who will pledge a special relationship with the child. There is a special option for grandparents to take part as well, if you choose.

After the celebrant introduces the ceremony, it is up to you to select the choices and decide what you would like the ceremony to contain. You will be creating a unique event that you and all your guests will remember.

What you need to know

• Children of any age can have a naming ceremony, they are not just for babies
• Any parent or anyone else who has legal guardianship of the child can arrange a naming ceremony
• Once you have booked your ceremony you will be given an information pack detailing the options for your ceremony
• You must then complete the ceremony checklist and confirmation and hand this into the register office no later than one month prior to your ceremony
• You must arrive at your chosen venue at least 15 minutes before the ceremony is due to start
• The ceremony may last between 15 and 45 minutes depending on the number of poems or readings you choose
• Naming ceremonies held at the register office will take place in the ceremony room held on the ground floor, where there is disabled access
• You may choose an outside venue from one of our approved premises
• You may take video recordings and photographs during the ceremony
• At the end of the ceremony a certificate will be issued, signed by the celebrant, parents and supporting adults. A further copy of the certificate will be retained by the celebrant to form part of the naming register

Please telephone 0161 793 2500 to arrange an appointment to book the naming ceremony.

Where the ceremonies are held

Naming ceremonies may take place at Salford register office and will be held in the ceremony room on the ground floor. This room holds approximately 60 guests and is decorated to a high standard with a contemporary design.

Alternatively, you may choose from one of our approved venues to hold your ceremony. You must check with the venue of your choice to ensure it is available for your chosen date before booking the ceremony with the celebrant at the register office.

The times for naming ceremonies are:

Fees and conditions

The current fees for naming ceremonies are:

Conditions:

• You must provide the child's full birth certificate when booking the ceremony
• A non-refundable deposit is to be paid at the time of booking. This is 50% of the total payment due
• The balance of payment is due three months before the ceremony
• If you wish to name any additional children as part of the ceremony, a supplementary fee of £50 will be payable for each additional child
• Should you cancel after full payment, a refund will be given after deducting the deposit fee
• Naming ceremonies are not legal ceremonies. They must not be confused with birth registration, which all parents have to do as it is a legal requirement
• Naming ceremonies, and any written record of the event, cannot be used for identification purposes, neither are they legally binding on those that participate
• Naming ceremonies do not have any religious content
• The celebrant who conducts your ceremony will not be acting in an official capacity, even if they also work as a registrar. A celebrant is a trained person who will lead your ceremony

This page was last updated on 13 January 2020