Births, ceremonies and deaths

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.

Changes to the rules for ceremonies

From 29 March ceremonies will be permitted for all couples. There will be a limit of 6 attendees.

This includes the couple, witnesses and guests. Registration officials and venue staff are not included in this figure.

Restrictions will then be eased in stages, as long as it is safe to do so. There will need to be a 5 week gap between each stage so it's possible these dates will be pushed back.

From 12 April at the earliest, 15 attendees will be permitted at ceremonies.

From 17 May at the earliest, 30 attendees will be permitted at ceremonies.

These both include the couple, witnesses and guests. Registration officials and venue staff are not included in the figures.

From 21 June at the earliest, and as long as it is safe to do so, ceremonies may take place with no restrictions on the number of attendees.