The local District Registrar based at the Council is responsible for registering births, deaths, still births, marriages and civil partnerships, as well as issuing authorities for forthcoming marriages, performing civil marriages, issuing certified copies and providing general information about this service to the public. This service is provided or overseen by the General Register Office (GRO) - a branch within the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, which is part of the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Births
All births occurring in Northern Ireland must be registered. You will require proof of the birth for various purposes including claiming child benefit and registering your baby with a doctor. Births must be registered within 42 days from the date of the birth. A 'Notice to Mothers' form must be filled in by the person registering the birth (usually the mother). There are two ways in which you can register a birth. You can either visit your local Registrar's Office in the District where the birth took place or in the District in which the mother normally lives or you can register the birth when the Registrar visits the maternity hospital.

• Birth Registration Form (This form needs to be completed to register a birth)
• Birth Cerificate Registration Form (This form needs to be completed to request a copy of a birth certificate)

Deaths
All deaths occurring in Northern Ireland must be registered. You will require proof of the death for various purposes. A death should be registered as soon as possible to allow funeral arrangements to be made but no later than five days from the date of occurrence except where the matter has been referred to the Coroner. In order to register a death you will need a medical certificate of cause of death issued by a doctor who has treated the deceased within twenty-eight days before the date of death. If the deceased had not been seen by a doctor within that period or where the death was not caused by natural illness the case would have to be referred to the Coroner - The Registrar or Funeral Director will advise you. There is no cost for registering a death. The only cost may be for copies of the death certificate if required. A death can be registered in the District in which the person died, or in the District in which the person normally lived.

• Death Registration Form (This form needs to be completed to register a death)
• Death Certificate Application Form (This form needs to be completed to request a copy of a death certificate)

Marriages and Civil Partnerships
All couples intending to get married, albeit a civil or religious ceremony, must give notice of their marriage to the local District Registrar by completing the Marriage Notice Application Form below. Civil marriages can only be solemnised by a District Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Marriages who has been authorised by the Registrar General. Both parties must submit their completed marriage notice forms, relevant documents, declarations and fees to the Registrar of Marriages in the District where the marriage is to take place, to inform the Registrar of their intention to marry. The notice forms may be submitted in person or by post to the Registrar. Certified copies of marriage certificates of marriages solemnised in the Registrar’s Office in Banbridge District can be obtained at any time from this office. The above also applies to couples planning a civil partnership.

• Marriage Notice Application Form (This form needs to be completed by all couples intending to get married)
• Marriage Certificate Application Form (This form needs to be completed to request a copy of a marriage certificate)
• Civil Partnership Notice Application Form (This form needs to be completed by all couples planning a civil partnership) 
• Civil Partnership Certificate Application Form (This form needs to be completed to request a copy of a civil partnership certificate)

Fees
Contact the local Registrar for information about fees.

Contact:
Elaine Gilmour - Registrar
Donna Hanlon and Denise Seeley - Deputy Registrars
Corporate Services Department, Banbridge District Council, Civic Building Downshire Road, Banbridge, Co. Down BT32 3JY
T: 028 4066 0614
F: 028 4066 0601
E: elaine.gilmour@banbridge.gov.uk