Coronavirus: Births, Deaths, Marriages & Civil Ceremonies

Changes to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's registrar services due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) can be found below:

• Register a Birth

   
  You can register a Birth at Antrim Civic Centre or Mossley Mill.  This is strictly by appointment only.
  Please contact us via https://antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/residents/births-deaths-marriages-civil-partnerships/make-an-appointment/  
   
   

• Register a Death
  You no longer have to register a death, in person, with the Registrar. This process is now done electronically and by telephone.

  • The Medical Practitioner will send the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the General Register Office (GRO) who will then forward onto the Registrar in the Council area of which the person last resided

  • The Registrar will contact the nominated next of kin by telephone to obtain further details to allow the registration to be completed

  • Once the registration is complete the Registrar can issue death certificates at a cost of £8each

  • Payment can be made by card and the certificates will be posted to the next of kin

  • If certificates are not obtained at this time, they can be obtained from GRO via nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ordering-life-event-certificates at a cost of £15 each

  • Death certificates are usually required for closing bank accounts, claiming insurance policies, notifying private pensions and for Solicitors. 

  • ​To stop State Pension and or Benefits you should contact “The Bereavement Service” by T. 0800 085 2463

• Marriages / Civil Ceremonies

  This information is changing frequently, please contact the office directly for the most up to date information registrar@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk  / 028 90 340179 / 02894 481315
  
  Following guidance from the NI Executive, marriages can take place under the following restrictions:

  Religious Marriages

  • You can get married indoors with six people in attendance (includes the couple, two witnesses and the officiant).
  • If one of the parties is terminally ill you may get married in a place of worship with ten people in attendance (includes the couple, two witnesses and the religious officiant).
  • You can get married outdoors with thirty people in attendance (this includes the couple, two witnesses and the Officiant)
  • NOTE:  In all instances outlined above social distancing rules must be adhered to.

  • Please contact the office to make an appointment. 
    Antrim T. 028 94 481315  |  Mossley Mill T. 028 90 340179

  Civil Marriages

  • If you are planning a civil marriage at an outside location, the venue must be approved. Currently, Antrim Castle Gardens and Sentry Hill have the facility to accommodate a ceremony. A separate hire fee will be payable to them.

  • We have other non-council venues in the borough which are approved for civil ceremonies (click here to view), however, you need to contact them directly to check availability of the facility. If you would like a Registrar to conduct a ceremony at any of the above locations, please contact the office to check availability.

  • You can have a civil marriage / civil partnership indoors (such as in registration offices or approved venues) with six people in attendance (this includes the couple, two witnesses and the officiant). 
  • A civil marriage / civil partnership can take place in the person’s home, in a hospital or at a registration office if one of the parties is terminally ill with six people in attendance (this includes the couple, two witnesses and the Registrar/ Humanist Celebrant).
  • A civil marriage / civil partnership can take place outdoors with thirty people in attendance (this includes the couple, two witnesses and the Registrar/ Humanist Celebrant) as long the location has been licensed by the council as an approved place.  Couples will need to contact the registration office in the district the marriage is to take place in order to discuss the suitability of the location for the marriage and the action that may be required. 
  • NOTE:  In all instances outlined above social distancing rules must be adhered to.
  •  Please contact the Registration Office on T. 028 90 340179 or E. registrar@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk to discuss your arrangements.

   

  Marriage Notices

  We can only accept marriage notices by email or post at this time. 

  • Please scan and email your original completed marriage notice forms, along full birth certificates and passports and if applicable other accompanying documentation to E. registrar@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk or by post (a photocopy of birth certificate and passport is acceptable under these circumstances). 

  • The fee payable can be by card via telephone or cheque.

  • Please contact the office for fee details.

  • Please call the Registration Office on T. 028 90 340179 ot T. 028 94 481315 should you wish to discuss your marriage or obtain further information.

• Contact Us

  The situation can change daily and if you would like an update, or wish to discuss any other issue, please call your nearest Registration office on:
  
  Antrim Registration Office T. 028 9448 1315
  Newtownabbey Registration Office T. 028 9034 0179