Following a further announcement by the Welsh Government on the 22nd June 2020, Birth Registrations and appointments for Notices of Marriage can recommence in Blaenau Gwent from 29th June 2020
Birth Registrations and Notice of Marriage appointments
In order to register a birth, and give Notice of Marriage the Welsh Government has now confirmed that it is reasonable for a person to leave their local area or be indoors with another person who is not a member of their household.
As we are dealing with a backlog of registrations, we will look to prioritise appointments based on baby’s date of birth, and date of marriage.
Registering a birth and giving Notice of Marriage will require a face to face appointment in the register office at Bedwellty House, Tredegar. Access will only be granted if you have a pre-arranged appointment and social distancing measures must be adhered to at all times. Further advice will be given in this respect when you make the appointment.
Please note that new arrangements have been made for all births within the ‘Gwent’ area covering the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. The five local authorities of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen are working together so that you can attend your local office to complete the registration and purchase your baby’s birth certificate at that appointment.
Please visit your local council website for further details:
- Blaenau Gwent Registration Service - registrars@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
01495 353372 - Caerphilly Registration Service - registrars@caerphilly.gov.uk
01443 864166 or 864170 - Monmouthshire Registration Service - RegisterOffice@monmouthshire.gov.uk
01873 735435 - Newport Registration Service - registrar@newport.gov.uk
01633 235510 or 235520 - Torfaen Registration Service - registrars@torfaen.gov.uk
01495 742132 or 742133
If you wish to book an appointment then please call 01495 353372.
Marriages and civil partnerships
The Welsh Government has updated its guidance in relation to the Coronavirus regulations which now allow for the solemnization of marriages in a place of worship registered for marriage and civil partnership formations where the place of worship is also an approved premises, subject to physical distancing requirements being in place.
We are awaiting further clarification from the Welsh Government in relation to marriages and civil partnerships in registry offices and on secular approved premises and will provide an update as soon as we can.
Couples who choose to give notice, with the uncertainty of whether their place of worship will be available, should be aware that if the venue stated in the notice does not reopen in the future for some reason and their marriage or civil partnership cannot take place at that venue then fresh notices would be required.
Registrations for the taking of notices of marriage will require a face to face appointment in the registry office at Bedwellty House, Tredegar. Access will only be granted if you have a pre-arranged appointment and social distancing measures must be adhered to at all times.
If you wish to book an appointment call 01495 353372.
A Welsh Government spokesperson has said:
“We have amended the coronavirus regulations to allow places of worship to be opened for the solemnisation of marriages and the formation of civil partnerships subject to the maintenance of social distancing measures. This will mean that limited ceremonies can take place in these venues and in register offices. This does not extend to receptions or other celebrations that many will want to enjoy as part of their wedding. Tackling coronavirus does not allow us to go further at this stage.
“These venues will be able to decide whether they want to open for such purposes. We are currently working on detailed guidance in partnership with stakeholders. Wedding or civil partnership ceremonies are not able to take place in approved premises, such as hotels or heritage sites, at this time as these are currently closed.
We are currently awaiting further guidance from The General Register Office and a further update will be provided shortly.”
Death Registrations
All death registration interviews will continue to be conducted over the telephone. Please contact 01495 353372 for help and advice.