Birth certificate presentation ceremonies

A new baby is a reason to celebrate. You can now enhance your birth registration by adding a commemorative presentation ceremony at Lambeth Town Hall.

It is a wonderful way to bring family and friends together to welcome your new arrival in one of our beautiful ceremony rooms at Lambeth Town Hall.

How it works

The ceremony takes place immediately after your legal registration appointment. While you complete the formal paperwork, your guests will wait in the ceremony room. Once finished, the registrar will join you to lead the celebration.

The ceremony includes:

• A formal presentation of your child’s birth certificate.
• Space for up to 10 guests (excluding babies or toddlers who do not need a seat).
• Up to 3 non-religious readings (under 2 minutes each) which can be read by family or friends.

Rules and eligibility

• Timing: The appointment must be within 42 days of the birth.
• Location: All birth registration appointment will take place at Lambeth Register Office, followed immediately afterwards by the ceremony.
• Attendance: Only 'qualified informants' (usually parents or person having charge of the child) can attend the legal registration part. Guests must wait in the ceremony room.
• Accuracy: You must check the registration details carefully before the record is locked during the registration appointment.
• Births outside Lambeth: If you are registering by declaration (the birth happened elsewhere), we can still hold the ceremony, but we cannot present the certificate on the day.

Rescheduling and lateness

We cannot delay the registration or ceremony for latecomers. If you need to reschedule, you must give us 2 working days’ notice. The new date must still fall within the 42-day legal limit to ensure legal compliance.