Baby naming ceremonies

A naming ceremony is a special way to celebrate the birth of your child, or welcome an adopted child or stepchildren into your family or wider community. The ceremony is non-religious and has no legal standing but is a way to show a public gesture of love and support for your child.

What happens in a naming ceremony?

Our team will work with you to create a special event that you can treasure.

The ceremony is unique to you and can be as simple or as detailed as you wish. It will typically last around 30 minutes and 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.

Please contact the Brent Register Office for more information and to book your baby naming ceremony.

Where can I have a naming ceremony?

You can hold your baby-naming ceremony at our ceremony suite in the Brent Civic Centre or at one of our approved venues across Brent every day of the year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

The cost of your baby naming ceremony will depend on the day, time and venue you choose. 

If you would like to host the event in a different venue, for example a community centre, you will need to speak to us about this in advance so we can make sure it is a suitable venue for the ceremony.

For a ceremony in one of our approved premises, there will be a fee for us to send out a Registrar. You must contact the specific venue to check their availability and hire fees before booking the Registrar.

Attendance of Registrars at an external approved venue

Attendance of Registrars at a certified religious building

Attendance of Registrars for early morning or evening ceremonies (Upon request only)