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Naming ceremonies are a special way to celebrate your child's birth and welcome the new arrival into the family.

They are also an opportunity to welcome adopted children or stepchildren into your family.

A naming ceremony includes:

• naming of the child or children
• parent's promises
• promises by mentors and grandparents
• signing of the naming register

They also offer you can opportunity to:

• welcome the child into your family and wider community
• give reasons behind your name choices
• make promises of commitment to support the child into adult life
• reflect on the miracle of birth
• personalise your ceremony by adding additional sections

There is plenty of scope for making your child's ceremony a personal and unique event. For more information see unique ceremonies. 

Important information

• children of any age can have a naming ceremony
• more than one child can be named in these ceremonies, but they must belong to the same family
• children from another family, even though they may be related, cannot be included in the same ceremony

To book a naming ceremony and find out the options available, contact the Register Office.

Who

A parent or legal guardian of the child / children can book a naming ceremony.

Parents do not need to be married and can come from any cultural background with any or no spiritual or religious beliefs.

Cost

To book a naming ceremony you will be required to pay a non refundable booking fee.

Please see Register Office Fees for fees for this service, or you can contact the Register Office.

What to bring

Please bring the child / children's birth certificate(s) to the naming ceremony.

This must be presented to book the ceremony.

Every naming ceremony is unique and can be tailored to your individual wishes.

They are flexible to meet your needs and requirements.

You can personalise your ceremony by:

• giving promises to your child / children
• giving promise to your partner
• giving reasons for the names
• other family members and friends giving promises
• referencing absent guests
• giving your hopes for the future
• choosing from a selection of poems and readings to be read out
• presenting your child with a special gift to mark the occasion

Ceremonies usually take about 15 minutes. If you wish to personalise your ceremony it can take up to 30 minutes.

A record of the ceremony will be signed and given to you at the end of the ceremony.

Venues used for naming ceremonies at this present time are:

• Barrington Suite
•  Barrington Suite (Garden Room)
• Town Hall South Shields
• Town Hall Jarrow
• The Little Haven Hotel South Shields
• The Clarion Hotel Boldon
• The Sea Hotel South Shields
• The Customs House South Shields
• The Grotto South Shields
• The Hedworth Hall South Shields

Find out more about these venues.

Ceremonies can be held on most days of the week.

Naming ceremonies cannot be held in a private home.

For more information on times and fees, see South Tyneside Register Office.