About naming ceremonies
A naming ceremony is a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of a new baby or to welcome an adopted child or step-children into your family and wider community. Many families choose to hold a naming ceremony to celebrate their child's arrival.
Any parent or guardian can arrange naming ceremonies, and there is no age limit, so that older children can be included in the same ceremony.
The ceremony has no legal standing, but it is an opportunity for a public gesture of love and support for your child.
At Birmingham Register Office, we provide fully trained celebrants who will make sure your ceremony is a special event and tailor it to your child's age and your family situation.
How it works
A ceremony usually lasts around 30 minutes, but can be as simple or as complex as you want.
A typical naming ceremony includes:
- introduction and welcome
- readings or poems
- music
- naming of the child
- parents' promises to their child
- supporting adults' promises to the child
- signing of the commemorative certificate
- closing words
At the end of the ceremony, you will also receive a unique commemorative certificate.
You can buy additional commemorative certificates to present to your supporting adults. These can be pre-ordered for £11 for each certificate.
Taking photographs
Photo opportunities will be available during the service and when the certificate is signed.
You may also wish to take photos in our courtyard garden after the ceremony.
