We use cookies to improve and customise your experience, for analytics and metrics, and to track any purchases you make both on this website and on others. To find out more about the cookies we use see our cookie policy
More info
- Collect and record details of all births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
- You'll need the ability to relate to people from all backgrounds and cultures
- You could be promoted from assistant registrar to deputy registrar
You could also be employed as a celebrant, conducting civil ceremonies such as marriages, civil partnerships and civil funerals without the responsibility of registering births and deaths. You could be employed by a local council, or you could work independently. If you share humanist beliefs, you could also become an officiant or celebrant of the British Humanist Association.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Interviewing parents and relatives after a birth or death
- Completing computerised and paper records
- Issuing birth or death certificates
- Informing the coroner (or procurator fiscal in Scotland) if there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding a death
- Collecting statistics to send to the General Register Office
- Taking payment for copies of certificates
- Keeping accurate records
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You may work some weekends and bank holidays. You may also work on-call outside of normal office hours. Part-time work is often available. You'll be based at a local register office, and may also attend marriages in various types of locations like hotels, stately homes and civic buildings. In some remote areas, you may be based at home or in a local post office and work when needed. You'll usually need a driving licence.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with the ability to relate to people from all backgrounds and cultures, tact, patience and empathy, for dealing with people who may be distressed, the ability to understand and apply rules and laws, clear and accurate handwriting, the ability to work under pressure, and administrative skills.
You'll need to be over 21 years of age for this role and doctors, midwives, ministers of religion, funeral directors and anyone working in the life assurance industry are not allowed to become registrars.
There are no set entry requirements, but you'll need a good general standard of education and excellent customer service, public speaking and IT skills.
Each local authority sets its own entry requirements, so check with them for details of what you'll need.
You could start out as an assistant or deputy registrar, and with experience and on the job training, you could then apply for a registrar position.
To apply directly, you'll need experience in management, in handling budgets, and knowledge of relevant legislation and legal processes. You might get this type of experience from working at managerial role in a registrar's department, local council or private sector company.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could be promoted from assistant registrar to deputy registrar, then to registrar and superintendent. Each district has at least one superintendent registrar and deputy, and each sub-district has a registrar and deputy.