Changes to weddings and registrations in North Yorkshire during coronavirus lockdown

The Registration Service has also suspended any appointments to register births, and is asking residents to register deaths over the phone. The wedding suspension will be reviewed in three weeks’ time by the Government and the service will contact all couples affected, giving priority to those who have the most imminent ceremonies. North Yorkshire County Councillor Greg White, Executive Member for Customer Engagement, said: “We realise people will be disappointed at having to postpone their wedding plans, but we are also sure that they and their guests will understand just how important it is for all of us to heed the directive to stay at home as we all play our part in tackling the Covid-19 outbreak.” For existing bookings that are postponed or cancelled, revised dates will be accepted from 1 September 2020. New bookings can only be made for dates after 1 January 2021. At present, the service is unable to say when appointments to register a birth will resume. However, residents can make a claim for child benefit or universal credit prior to the birth being registered. Those wishing to register a death must do so over the telephone as offices will be shut to personal callers. When doctors have sent the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death by email, a telephone appointment can be made. Following the call, forms for the undertaker and a formal death certificate will be sent in the post. Those who have a paper copy of the Medical Certificate from the Doctor, can drop the envelope through a letter box at one of our offices or email it to us at registrars.mccd@northyorks.gov.ukMore information can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriagesA message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper. Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper. Thank you