There have been closures and changes to our births, marriages and deaths services due to COVID-19.
The following arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety of parents and our staff.
The service is strictly by appointment only. Parents need to call 0121 704 8002 to book an appointment and order any birth certificates required. Payment is by credit or debit card only.
Please note: the registrar will only be able to issue certificates that have been ordered and paid for at the time of booking. You will also be able to order certificates after the registration
Your appointment will be confirmed by email along with details of the new process and which documents you need to provide.
All appointments will take place at:
The Core
Theatre Square
Solihull
B91 3RG
There are a significant number of births waiting to be registered. Residents are asked to be patient as there will be a very high demand for appointments.
If you live in Solihull and gave birth at a Birmingham hospital
For the first few weeks we will be working with Birmingham Register Office to help reduce the number of births waiting to be registered. If you live in Solihull and gave birth at one of the hospitals listed below you will be able to complete a full registration at our Solihull office:
- Heartlands Hospital
- Birmingham Women’s Hospital
- Good Hope Hospital
Please call 0121 704 8002 to book an appointment and order any birth certificates required, payment is by credit or debit card only.
Any copy certificates required after the registration must be ordered from Birmingham Register Office.
Declaration appointments
We are only able to offer a limited number of declaration appointments for any other district
Solihull Register Office is accepting applications for Solihull re-registration of births but not for Birmingham re-registration of births.
If your child was born in Birmingham and you need to re-register, please contact Birmingham Register Office direct on 0121 675 1000.
From 2 December 2020 small weddings and civil partnerships can go ahead but only if they can be held safely in line with the Government guidelines. Ceremonies will be kept as short as possible and limited to the parts of the ceremony that are required for the marriage or civil partnership to be legally binding.
Face coverings are required to be worn by all guests at weddings and civil partnership ceremonies taking place in register offices, places of worship or other approved venues. Face coverings will not have to be worn by the couple being married or joined in civil partnership.
There is a strict limit on the numbers attending in line with social distancing guidelines and this will be dependent on the size of the room and venue.
Solihull Register Office
- The Ceremony Room - The couple and up to eight guests
- The Jubilee Room - The couple and two witnesses
Statutory marriage or civil partnership services are currently being held in the Register Officer foyer
For the most up to date Covid-19 guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships please visit the Gov.UK website.
If you have any questions regarding your ceremony please call 0121 704 8002 or email eventscoord@solihull.gov.uk and we will be happy to help.
The Register Office is only open for pre-booked appointments.
As the government continues to review the restrictions on gatherings and activities, the council is keeping the arrangements for funerals and cemeteries under review.
The ongoing challenge is to balance the importance of enabling people to pay their respects to friends and family, whilst maintaining a safe environment for mourners and employees.
Visits to cemeteries
Robin Hood, Widney Manor and Woodlands Cemeteries are open all day now, however please ensure that you follow both national and local Covid-19 laws and guidance:
- November to January - 9.00am to 4.15pm
- February, March and October - 9.00am to 5.00pm
- April to September - 9.00am to 6.00pm
- Sundays and Bank Holidays open at 10.00am and close at the same times as above.
- Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day - 10.00am to 2.30pm
Attendance at funerals - burials
Attendance at a graveside for a burial is 30 mourners.
NB: if there is a preceding service at an onsite chapel, the number of mourners for this must be adhered to (see below). Social distancing guidance should be followed when gathering at the grave and during/after the service.
Attendance at funerals - cremations
The number of mourners at cremations (in the chapels at Woodlands and Robin Hood) has to be more restrictive, as the service is inside and the chapel has to be sanitised between each service. From Monday 11 January the number of mourners will be limited to 20 mourners at both Robin Hood and Woodlands chapels to accommodate two metre social distancing.
People will not be allowed to congregate outside and the external speakers will not be in use.
Social distancing guidance should be followed in the chapel, and before/after the service.
Mourners are welcome to use mobile phones to film and share funeral services with those not able to attend, using media platforms such as Facebook Live provided they have permission from the funeral applicant and the officiant/minister. We are also offering webcasting at Robin Hood and Woodlands.
Solihull Council is currently waiving the cost for the live webcasting service so that mourners unable to attend can still pay their respects but recordings and keepsakes are chargeable. Your funeral director can provide details of fees and book this service for you.
The Government has also introduced new restrictions for the scattering of remains and memorial placements. During the national lockdown a maximum of six people can attend these and must observe social distancing.
Scatterings and cremated remains interments can be booked through your funeral director.
Memorial headstone permits are being processed and stonemasons should email these to robinhoodcemetery@solihull.gov.uk. We are sorry but we are unable to accept postal applications at this time.
Citizenship Ceremonies are permitted to take place if they can be held safely in line with the Government guidelines. Ceremonies will be kept as short as possible and limited to the parts of the ceremony that are required. There is a strict limit on the numbers attending in line with social distancing guidelines.
Virtual citizenship ceremonies are also available on request.
For the most up to date Covid-19 guidance please visit the Gov.UK website.
To help us deliver our copy certificate service:
- you must apply online
- as our offices are closed to the public we are not currently offering a collection service
- please allow up to three weeks for processing and postage
Following a change in legislation (Coronavirus Act 2020) the registration of deaths will now be completed over the phone until further notice.
Arrangements are also being implemented so that the notification can be done by medical personnel rather than relatives where required.
Qualified Informants Changes:
- the list of qualified informants is temporarily extended to include a funeral director (where they are acting on behalf of the family)
- funeral directors are an addition to the existing list of qualified informants rather than a replacement and family members are still allowed (and may be preferred).
To make a telephone appointment please ring 0121 704 8002 and ensure you give us your preferred telephone number to contact you on. A registrar will contact you at the appointment time and complete the registration with you over the telephone.