Register office (United Kingdom)

A network of local offices provided a public-facing function and were responsible for registrations within their respective areas.

Register offices were established in England and Wales in 1837, with similar legislation being introduced for Scotland in 1855 and Ireland in 1845.

In England and Wales the current registration service is overseen by the Registrar General as part of the General Register Office, part of the Home Office Identity and Passport Service but provided locally by local authorities.

Civil ceremonies may also take place in local approved premises, including hotels and public buildings.

[1] In the Republic of Ireland, a General Register Office exists as a central repository for records relating to births, stillbirths, adoptions, marriages, civil partnerships and deaths.