MARRIAGE and civil partnership ceremonies have resumed in Flintshire this month.

Flintshire Council has confirmed that the ceremonies at the Register Office have now resumed but restrictions on the number of people allowed at one time are in place.

Social distancing measures will also be in place to help ensure that officers and visitors are safe and to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The maximum number of people permitted in each room is:

• Register Office – 6 people

• Ceremony Room – 11 people

Flintshire Council said until more information from Welsh Government is received, ceremonies cannot be conducted at approved premises such as hotels.

Registrations for babies born in Flintshire will also resume.

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Assets, Councillor Billy Mullin, said: "We are pleased to welcome couples to the Register Office for civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies from 1 July, 2020.

"We recognise ceremonies will be different, the format and content of ceremonies will be limited as will the number of people invited to attend a ceremony. However, we trust everyone involved will appreciate that this is necessary to keep everyone safe while permitting couples to celebrate an important milestone in their lives.

"In addition to ceremonies, I am pleased to resume birth registrations for babies born in the county during lockdown and our team at the Register Office look forward to supporting couples as we resume these important services."

Provision has now been made for the registration of births to be done in part by phone. To complete the registration, a parent/parents must sign the register in person at the Register Office and we will discuss the arrangements for this when booking an appointment.

Registration of deaths and still births may now be done by phone. The council is working closely with health practitioners to share information electronically to remove the requirement for bereaved families to visit the Register Officer during the current emergency situation.

For up-to-date information on all registration services, can be found online at Flintshire Registration Service.

To make an appointment for phone registration please call the Register Office on 01352 703333.