What is a naming ceremony?
A baby naming ceremony is a celebration not only to welcome your child into your family but it is also an opportunity for you as parents, your family and friends to make promises to your child that you will provide them with love, support, reassurance and guidance throughout their lives.
Adult friends or relatives, chosen by you, will have a role of civil guardians. They will make a special pledge to your child.
Naming ceremonies are not just for babies. Children of any age can have a ceremony or it can be used to celebrate adoptive and/or step children into your family.
Who can arrange a naming ceremony?
Any parent or legal guardian can arrange a ceremony. Parents do not have to be married and can come from any cultural background. A birth certificate must be produced when booking a ceremony.
Where can the ceremonies be held?
Your baby naming ceremony can be held at the Victorian Room at Hounslow Register Office or at other approved premises already licensed for civil marriage or partnership ceremonies in the borough. The cost depends on the venue and the date and time you choose.
Costs
The Victorian Room, Hounslow Register Office
Monday - Thursday £100
Friday - Saturday £200
Approved venues
Celebrant to attend venue £400
There are no additional fees for ceremonies at the Register Office but for ceremonies at approved venues, there are extra costs for room hire, etc. Please contact the venue for prices.
Your unique ceremony
We endeavour to make your naming ceremony a personal and memorable occasion. You will have the opportunity to discuss the content of your ceremony and you can enhance it to include music, readings and poems. In the ceremony you as parents will make promises and your civil guardians, family and friends attending the ceremony will make pledges too.
After the record has been signed by yourselves, the civil guardians and celebrant, you will receive a commemorative certificate.
Important information
Neither the naming ceremony nor any documents issued following the ceremony has any legal status
Naming ceremonies are secular and cannot contain any religious references
Registrars are designated as celebrants when conducting naming ceremonies
If the ceremony is held in the Victorian Room itself, please note that it is classed as a ‘private venue’ during the ceremony
For further information please email registeroffice@hounslow.gov.uk or contact us on 020 8583 2090.