Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
What is the work like?
As a registrar, it would be your job to collect and record the details of all births, stillbirths, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships in your area. You could also perform marriage, civil partnership, citizenship and naming ceremonies at register offices and other venues.
In this job your main duties would include:
- interviewing parents and relatives after a birth or a 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
- performing civil ceremonies.
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.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a registrar, you will need experience of dealing with a wide range of people, and you should be computer literate. You may find it useful to have some experience of public speaking. A driving licence is also useful.
You do not usually need any particular qualifications to become a registrar in England and Wales, although employers look for a good standard of general education. In Scotland, entry requirements can vary, although you will often need at least three S grades (1-3) including English – check with individual employers.
You cannot become a registrar if you work in certain jobs where there could be a conflict of interest. Professions which are barred include doctors, midwives, ministers of religion, funeral directors, and anyone working in the life assurance industry.
What further training and development can I do?
You will be trained on the job by your employer in registration law and procedures. You may also be trained in customer care and dealing with bereavement.
In Scotland, after around two years' experience in the job, you can take the Certificate of Proficiency in the Law and Practice of Registration, which is jointly awarded by the General Register Office for Scotland, the Association of Registrars in Scotland and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
Where can I go for more information?
3 West Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3YT
Tel: 0131 314 4467
Southport
PR8 2HH
Tel: 0151 471 4805
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Assistant registrars usually start on around £17,000 a year.
- Registrars can expect to earn around £25,000 a year.
- Superintendent registrars may earn up to £40,000 a year
- Part-time celebrants often earn a set fee for each ceremony they conduct.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a full-time job you would work 37 hours a week, including some weekends and bank holidays. You may also work on-call outside of normal office hours. Part-time work is often available.
You would be based at a local register office, and may also attend marriages in various types of locations such as 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.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the ability to relate to people from all backgrounds and cultures
- excellent communication skills
- tact, patience and empathy, for dealing with people who may be distressed
- the ability to apply rules and laws
- clear and accurate handwriting
- confidence speaking in public, for celebrating marriages and naming ceremonies
- the ability to work well both alone and as part of a team
- the ability to work under pressure
- computer and administrative skills.
What opportunities are there?
You would be employed by your local council but be responsible to the Registrar General or the General Register Office for Scotland.
There has been an increase in opportunities for celebrants. These jobs are often part-time and may be seasonal. You could be employed as a celebrant by a local council, or if you share humanist beliefs, you could become an officiant or celebrant of the British Humanist Association.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press, on local authority websites, and on the LGJobs website.
In England and Wales 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. In Scotland, you would be promoted from assistant registrar to registrar.
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