The Register Office
By law, each Registration District has to designate a 'register office' and provide a Civil Marriage or Civil Partnership Ceremony at a statutory rate.
You may wish to hold an intimate ceremony in the Register Office on the second floor of the Civic Centre.
The Register Office holds a maximum of 4 people - the couple marrying or entering into a civil partnership and two witnesses.
The ceremony is brief and consists of the legal declarations and the signing of the schedule. Couples can exchange rings but vows, readings and music are not included.
Ceremonies can be booked in the Register Office:
- Monday to Saturday at 9am and 9.30am
To book a ceremony in the Register Office:
- phone 0191 2787878 (and ask for registrars)
The Carliol Room
The Carliol Room is on the second floor of the Civic Centre and is accessed via the building’s Grand Entrance (the staircase with a red carpet).
The ceremony is brief and consists of the legal declarations and the signing of the schedule. Couples can exchange rings but vows, readings and music are not included.
The room holds a maximum of 12 people including:
- the couple marrying or entering into a civil partnership
- witnesses
- guests
The registrars are not included in this number.
Ceremonies can be booked in The Carliol Room:
- Monday to Friday between 9am and 10.30am
To book a ceremony in The Carliol Room:
- phone 0191 2787878 (and ask for registrars)
The Leazes Room
The Leazes Room is on the second floor of the Civic Centre and is accessed via the building's Grand Entrance (the staircase with a red carpet).
The room holds a maximum of 50 people including:
- the couple marrying or entering into a civil partnership
- witnesses
- guests
- anyone working the ceremony such as musicians
The registrars are not included in this number.
In addition to the statutory declarations The Leazes Room offers couples the option of including music, the exchange of rings and vows and readings.
Ceremonies can be booked in the Leazes Room:
- Monday to Saturday.
To book a ceremony in the Leazes Room:
- phone 0191 2787878 (and ask for registrars)
Ceremony rooms
We have approved premises licences for the:
- Armstrong/Stephenson Room
- Silver Gallery
- Grand Staircase
- Banqueting Suite
- Council Chamber
- Collingwood Room
- Pandon Room
For details: