Naming ceremonies
A naming ceremony is a non-religious way to celebrate the arrival of your child; ceremonies are for children of all ages.
COVID-19 impact on this service
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 uncertainty, we are not currently accepting any ceremony bookings. This situation will be reviewed regularly - If you have an upcoming ceremony, we will contact you directly with an update on how this impacts you. Please email registrars@barnet.gov.uk if you need to reschedule a current booking or have any further queries.
Cancelling or rescheduling your ceremony due to COVID-19
It may be necessary to cancel and/or reschedule ceremonies at short notice due to changes in government restrictions, local lockdowns or the need for our staff to self-isolate.
We will contact any affected customers as soon as possible if there are any changes to service provision.
By booking during the pandemic, you agree that you understand and accept the risk of late notice cancellations and/or rescheduling. We aim to give customers as much notice as possible.
If you have a ceremony booked, you will have the option of being contacted at a later date to reschedule, or receive a full refund including the non-refundable booking fee.
Apply for your refund by emailing or writing to us, include full details of the ceremony date, time, venue and your details and your payment method.
Requests for refunds can be:
- emailed to registrars@barnet.gov.uk please put 'refund request' as the title of your email or
- post your request to:
Barnet Register Office
Hendon Town Hall
The Burroughs
London
NW4 4BG
Organising a naming ceremony
A naming ceremony is individual to the needs of your family and gives you a formal opportunity to:
- welcome an adopted child or stepchildren into your family
- celebrate the birth and welcome your child into the family and wider community
- announce the names that you have chosen
- make promises of commitment to nurture and support your child into adult life
- choose other adults prepared to promise a special supportive relationship to your child.
A specially written ceremony is available, which you can tailor to your needs.
You can present your child or children with a special gift to mark the occasion. A souvenir record will be presented at the end of the ceremony.
Naming Ceremony fees
We charge a non-refundable booking fee of £50 to book a naming ceremony date and time. We will take this fee from the full ceremony fee.
Hendon Town Hall
| Rooms available in Hendon Town Hall | Monday to Thursday before 4pm | Friday before 4pm | Saturday before 4pm | Sunday before 4pm | Monday to Friday after 4pm | Saturday after 4pm | Sunday after 4pm |
Bank Holidays |
| Heritage Room (Up to 45 guests) | £165 | £195 | £280 | £359 | £360 | £397 | £497 | £600 |
| Committee Room 1 and 2 and the Chambers Room (Up to 100 guests) | £220 | £249 | £330 | £420 | £425 | £522 | £626 | £600 |
External venues
| Monday to Friday before 4pm | Saturday before 4pm | Sunday and Bank Holidays before 4pm | Monday to Friday after 4pm | Saturday after 4pm | Sunday after 4pm | Sunday and Bank Holidays after 4pm | |
| External premises for Naming Ceremonies | £366 | £400 | £497 | £447 | £547 | £657 | £600 |
Changes to your ceremony
If you change the date or time, we charge an administration fee of £20.
Cancelling or rescheduling your ceremony
You can cancel your ceremony and apply for a refund a month before your ceremony date. Your refund will be minus the £50 non-refundable secure booking fee.
If you cancel your ceremony, you will receive a refund minus the booking fee.
Book your naming ceremony
You don’t have to live in Barnet to arrange a naming ceremony with us. Your ceremony can take place at one of our approved premises or at any location - including your home or garden.
To book a naming ceremony please contact us at the Register Office.
Contact
Barnet Register office
Hendon Town Hall
The Burroughs
London
NW4 4BG
Telephone: 020 8359 6400
Email: registrars@barnet.gov.uk
Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm