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How to become a Registrar

Registrar jobs

Registrar courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Registrar

Assistant Registrar

| Up to £18,000

Registrar

| Up to £35,000

Super-Intendent Registrar

| Up to £50,000

The role of a Registrar

What does a Registrar do?

Looking for a job for life? You should be a Registrar…

Registrars are probably best known for performing marriage and civil partnership ceremonies, usually within a register office.

However, they carry out a variety of other responsibilities which help document all stages of someone’s life, ranging from recording details of births in the area through to issuing death certificates.

Typical duties for a Registrar may include:

Interviewing parents after a baby’s been born
Issuing birth certificates
Performing marriage duties and officiating civil partnerships
Interviewing family members after a death
Issuing death certificates
Informing a coroner if there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death
Sending statistical information to the Office of the Register General

Is a career as a Registrar right for me?

To become a Registrar of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, you definitely need to be a ‘people person’.

You’ll be helping people make it through some of the happiest times of their lives, as well as some of the saddest. Being personable and compassionate will be key in getting through each day as painlessly as possible.

Those that find it difficult to hold it together every time they hear ‘I do’ need not apply…

Other necessary skills for a Registrar include:

Excellent interpersonal skills
Organisational skills (N.B. there may be some paperwork…)
Discretion
Tact
Empathy
The ability to work under pressure
Confidence when it comes to public speaking

What's it like to be a Registrar?

"I’ve been working as a Registrar for my local council for around three years, and I’ve never regretted it for a second of that. It can definitely be tough at times, and a typical week can be a real emotional rollercoaster. You can go from being an integral part of a couple’s big day one minute, to consoling a family after someone they love has passed away, and issuing the death certificate yourself. But the variety is kind of what I love the most. Also, sometimes you even get a piece of cake. That’s always nice too…"

Get qualified as a Registrar

While there are no strict educational prerequisites, a background in administration, customer service, or legal studies can be beneficial. Registrars must ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, Marriage Act 1949, and Civil Partnership Act 2004. They also must stay updated on changes to registration laws and procedures through ongoing professional development opportunities. For more detailed information on becoming a Registrar, visit the Local Registration Services Association (LRSA).

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