Registrar Of Births, Deaths, Marriages And Civil Partnerships
Job Description:Registrars collect and record details of all births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships.
Job Category:What you will do:
In this role you may:
- interview parents and relatives after a birth or death
- complete computerised and paper records
- issue birth or death certificates
- inform the coroner if there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding a death
- collect statistics to send to the General Register Office
- produce and take payment for copies of certificates
- keep accurate records
- perform civil ceremonies for events like marriages, civil partnerships, naming and citizenship
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of English language
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- administration skills
- customer service skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure (leadership skills)
- active listening skills
Entry Requirements:
To become a Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Civil Partnerships, there are no specific subject requirements. However, you typically need a good general education. Here are the subjects often taken:
- English Language: This is important for communication, record-keeping, and conducting ceremonies.
- Mathematics: Basic mathematical skills are useful for handling administrative tasks.
- Science: Although not mandatory, a science subject can provide a well-rounded education.
Again, it’s essential to check with the relevant local authority or Registrar’s office for any specific requirements, as they may vary by location.
Post School
You can usually get into this job through:
- working towards this role
- applying directly
Work
You could start as an assistant or deputy registrar. With experience and on-the-job training, you could then apply for a registrar position.
You could also work your way up from a managerial role at a local council or through getting relevant experience in a private sector company.
Direct Application
To apply directly for registrar jobs, you’ll need experience in management and handling budgets. It’s useful to have knowledge of relevant legislation and legal processes. You’ll also need excellent customer service, public speaking and IT skills.
You might get this type of experience from working at managerial level in a registrar’s department, local council or private sector company.
Career tips
Each local authority sets its own entry requirements, so check with them for details of what you’ll need.
Working Hours and Environment:
A typical week consists of 35-40 hours of work. You could be required to work evenings/weekends/bank holidays on a rota.
You could work in the community or in an office.
Career Path & Progression:
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.