Help shape the future of Register Office services in County Durham

During January and February 2026, we asked people who had recently used our Registration Service to tell us about their experiences and how they would like services to be delivered in the future. Over 200 people responded, and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views.

What you told us

Overall, the feedback was very positive. You told us that:

• you value the care, professionalism and sensitivity shown by our staff during important life events
• having the option to speak to someone in person remains important, particularly at times of joy or loss
• The Story is an excellent venue for ceremonies of all sizes, offering high‑quality rooms and a unique setting that attracts couples from both within and outside County Durham

Some practical issues were also raised, including accessibility within the building and parking arrangements. We have already taken steps to improve signage and directions to The Story and will continue to use feedback to inform further improvements.

What this means for our services

The feedback has helped us review how and where we provide Registration Services across the county. It has reinforced the importance of focusing our limited resources on venues that:

• provide a high‑quality experience for customers
• meet modern expectations
• are financially sustainable in the long term

As part of this review, we are proposing to focus ceremony provision at The Story as our main venue. Please read through the information in phase 2 below, for our plans to close the Barnard Castle Registration Office.

About us

The Registration Service supports people through some of life’s biggest moments - from the joy of a new birth to the celebration of marriage or civil partnership, and the sadness of losing a loved one. We aim to provide caring, professional customer service during these important times.

Our main role is to carry out the legal registration of births, deaths, stillbirths, marriages, and civil partnerships in County Durham. Each year, we register around 5,000 deaths, over 2,000 births, and help deliver around 2,000 ceremonies.

In addition to legal registrations, we offer a range of ceremonies including:

• marriages and civil partnerships
• citizenship ceremonies
• naming ceremonies
• renewal of vows
• celebration ceremonies

We’re also responsible for licensing venues where couples can get married or form a civil partnership. These include hotels, castles, village halls, and even glamping sites. At our main venue, The Story at Mount Oswald in Durham, we welcome couples daily and offer a choice of rooms and prices to help make each ceremony unique and memorable.

If you also get a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate from us,

This consultation about the closure of Barnard Castle Register Office is open until 30 April 2026

To find out more email theregisteroffice@durham.gov.uk.

To have this information in a different format contact letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk.