Baby welcoming ceremony

Baby welcoming ceremony A welcoming ceremony can be a very special way of celebrating the birth of your child and welcoming the new arrival into the family and the wider community.

It's also an opportunity to declare, before family and friends, your promise to be as good a parent as you can and for adult friends or relatives to confirm their special relationship with your child.

These ceremonies are not just for babies. Children of any age can have a ceremony and you may wish to include your other children as well as your new child.

A welcoming ceremony is, in every sense, a unique occasion for everyone to feel involved as they offer their love and support for your child's future development.

Choosing a venue

Ceremonies can be held in a range of specially selected venues, which have been approved by Kent County Council.

These include castles, stately homes, town and country hotels, wild animal parks, civic halls and gazebos. On fine summer days ceremonies may also be held in gardens attached to these venues. They can also be held in register offices.

The availability of dates and times of ceremonies does vary between venues and parents are advised to check.

For details of all ceremony fees, including our terms and conditions, please visit our Kentish Ceremony website.

Arranging the ceremony

A celebrant provided and trained by Kent County Council will conduct the ceremony.

Whilst the ceremony has no legal effect, the child's birth certificate will need to be produced before a ceremony can be booked.

If you are interested in arranging a Kentish baby welcoming ceremony or would like further details please contact us.

An appointment can be arranged at a local registration office for you to meet with one of our specialist ceremony officers to discuss your personal requirements.