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.
2 weeks left
Phases
Closure of Barnard Castle Register Office
As we continue to learn from feedback regarding our registration services, we are pleased that our survey has found that people feel The Story provides an excellent venue for marriages of all sizes.
Mindful of the Register Services available at The Story and the improvements we will continue to make to ensure it provides is an attractive and unique offer, we have decided to close the Register Office which currently offers a space for ceremonies in Barnard Castle. Registrations of births, deaths and other statutory services including statutory marriages are already carried out at The Story. The Barnard Castle office currently provides a space for celebrations only.
The Barnard Castle venue is not of the same standard as The Story, and there are several alternative and well‑established venues in the area where ceremonies can take place. Due to budget constraints and the low number of ceremonies held at the office, we are unable to invest in improving the building or sustain its future running costs.
All ceremonies already booked at Barnard Castle during 2026 will still go ahead. However, no new bookings will be taken, and future ceremony bookings will be offered at The Story.
We want to hear from you
We recognise that this proposal may have an impact on people and communities in the west of the county. We would like to understand:
- how you may be affected by this change
- what support or adjustments could help reduce any negative impacts
Your feedback will help us shape how Registration Services are delivered in the future.
Please complete a short form to tell us how you may be impacted by the future closure of the Barnard Castle Register Office.
Attached is a copy of the survey questions to assist you in planning your response and completing the online survey. Alternatively, you can use this document to guide your response which you can email to letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk or post to: Consultations Team, Durham County Council, Rivergreen Centre, Aykley Heads, Durham, Co. Durham, DH1 5TS which must arrive by the closing date.