The City of Leicester Register Office offers naming ceremonies as a non-religious alternative to baptisms for families celebrating the birth of a new baby.
These ceremonies are an opportunity to gather together family and friends to:
- welcome a child into the family or wider community
- announce the names that are given and possibly the reasons behind their choice
- make promises of commitment to the child
- choose other adults prepared to promise a special supportive relationship to the child
A civil naming ceremony may also be used to welcome adoptive children and step-children into a new extended family or community.
Any parent can arrange a naming ceremony, whether married or not, with any spiritual or religious beliefs, or without, or from any cultural background.
Naming ceremonies are held at the Town Hall or at a number of suitable approved venues within the city of Leicester.
Civil naming ceremony fees
Ceremony at the Town Hall
Mon - Fri Standard - £115.00* (*£120.00 from 1st April 2012)
Enhanced - £180.00* (*£185.00 from 1st April 2012)
Saturday Standard - £135.00* (*£140.00 from 1st April 2012)
Enhanced - £205.00* (*£210.00 from 1st April 2012)
Ceremony at an Approved Premise
Mon - Fri - £200.00* (*£205.00 from 1st April 2012)
Saturday - £290.00* (*£295.00 from 1st April 2012)
Sunday or Bank Holiday - £345.00* (*£350.00 from 1st April 2012)
Please note that a non-refundable booking fee of £50 is required. This would be payable by either credit/debit card, in cash or by cheque made payable to Leicester City Council with a cheque guarantee card.
Leicester City Council would like you to be aware that the civil naming ceremony has no legal effect.
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