Community directory

Certification and Registration of Places of Worship

Introduction

The certification and registration of places of worship is carried out by the Registrar General.

There is no legal requirement for premises to be certified as a place of worship.

However changing a building into a place of worship is likely to require planning permission as it involves change of use. Building work may also may also require planning permission and or compliance with building regulations. The appropriate authority for planning matters is the District or Borough Council.

If the officers of the place of worship wish to have marriages conducted there, and marriage registers held there, then the building must first be certified for worship.

Premises that are certified as a place of worship may be entitled to a reduction in or exemption from council tax.

How to Apply for Certification

Please contact your nearest Register Office and ask to speak to the Superintendent Registrar.

You will be sent form 76. This has to be completed with details of the layout of building together with a weekly timetable of the religious and any other activities that take place in the building. This is to enable the Registrar General to be satisfied that the building is primarily used for religious worship.

The application has to be accompanied by a fee and you will be advised as to the correct amount.

Registration for the Solemnisation of marriages

To apply for this the building must also be certified as a place of worship. However if the building is not already certified the two applications can be made at the same time.

You require form 78 and this is available from The Superintendent Registrar at your nearest Register Office who will also advise on the fee payable.

The form must be signed by twenty householders who regard the building as their usual place of worship and countersigned by a trustee or the proprietor of the actual building.

Finally what to do if...

• you stop using the building
• you demolish the building but rebuild on the same foundations.
• the building is demolished and rebuilt on different foundations.
• you make structural alterations to the building
• you wish to change any of the recorded details of the building.
• you need a further copy of the worship certificate.

In all these cases please contact your Register Office. They will advise you on the correct procedure and supply any necessary forms.