A naming ceremony is a very special way of celebrating the birth of your child as well as welcoming the new arrival into the family and the wider community. It's a unique occasion for everyone to feel involved as they pledge their love and support for your child's future development.
The ceremony has six essential sections:
- introduction and welcome
- short reading
- formal naming of the child(ren)
- parents' promises
- promises by supporting adults
- closing words
There are many ways to make your child's ceremony a very personal and unique event.
The ceremony has no legal status and is simply something that parents choose to do as a public gesture of love and commitment to their child. Unlike a birth certificate which is a compulsory legal document, the record of the ceremony cannot be used as proof of identification. The ceremony is not legally binding on those who take part in it.
The ceremony can be held at a registration office or at any venue agreed between the couple, Senior Registrar and venue owner.