First Sunday marriage at office

Couple can now have registry office weddings on a Sunday

The first ever Sunday civil service wedding in a London register office has taken place.

Brent Council Register Office in Wembley, north-west London, has opened its doors at weekends.

Couples will now be able have a civil marriage service there on Sundays as well as register their intention to marry on Saturdays and Sundays.

Families can also register births and deaths seven days a week from now on.

Registrar of births, deaths and marriages at Brent Mark Rimmer said couples whose cultural traditions mean they cannot marry on a Saturday will particularly welcome the innovation.

'Extra convenience'

"We are introducing this innovative seven-day service in Brent to provide an even better service to the diverse community we serve," he said.

"We provide an important service to people at what can be stressful times or happy times. The extra convenience is what they have told us they want."

The new flexibility for registration of births and deaths will also be of benefit bereaved relatives whose religion require a speedy funeral or anyone who wishes to take the deceased out of the country, he added.

But residents from outside the borough will have to wait about 18 months to be able to benefit from the extended hours.

Webcam innovation

In 2006 new legislation will allow families to register births and deaths with any local authority in England or Wales.

When this change comes in, Brent expects members of communities whose religious convictions require a speedy funeral to come from all over London to Brent.

Four years ago Brent became the first register office in the country to install a webcam, which allows couples to have their marriage broadcast on the internet so that family and friends all over the world can watch the happy occasion live.

The Cabinet Office confirmed that Brent was the first to offer the chance to get married in a registry office on a Sunday.