FAMILIES marking a special ceremony in Hastings can now do so in historic surroundings as the town’s new Register Office officially opens.

The ribbon was cut at the new Town Hall facility by Cllr Chris Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for community services and Andrew Dent, Deputy Registrar General for England and Wales on Tuesday, March 1.

The Register Office moved from the Summerfields complex in Bohemia Road, enabling the county council to create a central base from which to provide services.

The facility boasts two beautiful ceremony rooms, four interview rooms and a strong room containing local registration documents dating back to 1837.

“The new venue offers people the chance to hold their special ceremonies in the Victorian splendour of the council chamber and the former mayor’s parlour, while providing comfortable surroundings for those registering births and deaths,” said Cllr Dowling.
Andrew Dent, representing the General Register Office, added “It was a pleasure to be able to join you for the official opening of your splendid new Register Office facilities at the Town Hall.  I am sure you will be able to provide even better services to the public from these well-appointed and centrally located offices”.
Member of the public can access key services at the Register Office including the registration of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, change of name deeds and request copies of birth, death and marriage certificates.

The building is available for a wide selection of ceremonies including weddings and civil partnerships, renewal of vows, baby naming and citizenship ceremonies.

The new Register Office will be open the same hours as previously, from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and at weekends and bank holidays for ceremonies only.

To contact the office for an appointment call 01424 726530 or email hastings.registrar@eastsussex.gov.uk