Essex.gov.uk
Our offices, including those in libraries, are open as normal for birth registrations and notice of marriage or civil partnership appointments.
You can still arrange telephone appointments for death and stillbirth registrations using our booking system.
We're experiencing high levels of demand. Appointment availability is updated continuously on our online system, please continue to check this.
Ceremonies
Contact during national lockdown should be limited. Marriages and civil partnerships can go ahead, but only in exceptional circumstances. For example, where one of those getting married is seriously ill and not expected to recover (‘deathbed wedding’) or due to undergo debilitating treatment or life-changing surgery.
If you think you have exceptional circumstances and your marriage should go ahead, provide details and we'll review your request. Please email registration@essex.gov.uk quoting ‘Exceptional circumstances’ in the subject matter heading.
Attending a ceremony, under expectional circumstances, is limited to 6 people. This includes the couple, witnesses and guests (including children). Registration officials and venue staff, are not included in the maximum number of 6.
As many venues are closed, please check your venue is still open for your ceremony.
Register a stillbirth
When to register a stillbirth
If your baby was born after the 24th week of pregnancy but did not breathe or show any signs of life, you will need to register a stillbirth.
This gives parents an opportunity to have their child officially acknowledged and have their name recorded.
This has to happen before you’re able to have a burial or cremation for your baby.
If your baby was born before 24 weeks and showed no signs of life, this is legally classed as a miscarriage, and you do not need to register it.
If your baby showed signs of life after birth and then died you will need to register this as a birth and a death within five days.
Print this page