Bournemouth Registry Office

Registry Services in Bournemouth

Bournemouth Register Office is housed in the historic Town Hall on Bourne Avenue, serving England’s largest resort in Dorset and one of the most popular seaside towns in the South West. Founded in 1810 by Lewis Tregonwell as a health resort, Bournemouth transformed from barren heathland to a magnificent Victorian destination attracting over 5 million visitors annually. With seven miles of pristine golden sandy beaches, award-winning gardens stretching over a mile inland, and stunning coastal views, Bournemouth provides couples with the perfect romantic setting for their special day.

How to Apply for Certificates

Booking Your Appointment

Bournemouth Register Office operates exclusively on an appointment-only basis. You can book appointments by calling 01202 123777 or emailing registrars@bournemouth.gov.uk. Located in the elegant Town Hall, which was originally the luxury Mont Dore Hotel with 122 bedrooms and once held England’s third telephone, advance booking is essential for all services. A £100 non-refundable deposit is required for ceremony bookings.

Required Documents

When applying for any certificate, you’ll need to provide:

• Valid photo identification (passport, driving licence)
• Full name as registered on the original certificate
• Date of event (birth or marriage)
• Place where event was registered
• For births: mother’s maiden name
• For marriages: spouse’s full name

Processing and Fees

Standard certificates cost £12.50 and are typically processed within 15 working days. Wedding ceremony bookings require a £100 non-refundable deposit with one free change permitted; subsequent changes incur a £25 administration fee. Bournemouth’s stunning coastal location and Victorian heritage provide couples with spectacular venues and photography opportunities.

Planning Your Visit

Victorian Resort Heritage

Bournemouth Register Office is located in the Town Hall on Bourne Avenue, in the heart of England’s premier Victorian seaside resort. The town transformed from barren heathland in 1800 to a thriving resort following Dr. Augustus Granville’s 1841 inclusion in “The Spas of England.” The arrival of railways in 1870 sparked massive growth, with the population exploding from 17,000 in 1880 to 60,000 by 1900.

Golden Beaches and Gardens

Bournemouth boasts seven miles of award-winning golden sandy beaches consistently rated among Britain’s finest, backed by dramatic sandstone cliffs and offering stunning sea views. The town’s magnificent Grade II listed Pleasure Gardens stretch for over a mile along the Bourne stream, created during the Victorian era and featuring the famous “Invalids Walk” (now Pine Tree Walk) where visitors once sought the health benefits of pine-scented sea air.

Cultural and Natural Beauty

Beyond its beaches, Bournemouth offers couples access to remarkable attractions including the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in a spectacular clifftop mansion, the Grade I listed St Peter’s Church with its 202-foot spire, and the historic Winter Gardens (1875) and cast iron Bournemouth Pier (1880). The town’s location provides easy access to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and New Forest National Park.

Premier Victorian Seaside Resort

Bournemouth Register Office serves England’s most successful Victorian seaside resort featuring:

• Purpose-Built Health Resort – Founded in 1810 by Lewis Tregonwell, transforming from smugglers’ heathland to elegant resort
• Seven Miles of Golden Beaches – Award-winning pristine sandy beaches consistently rated among Britain’s finest
• Victorian Railway Boom – Population soared from 17,000 to 60,000 between 1880-1900 with railway arrival
• Grade II Listed Gardens – Over one mile of magnificent Victorian Pleasure Gardens along the Bourne stream
• Historic Town Hall Venue – Former luxury Mont Dore Hotel with pioneering telephone and elegant ceremony spaces
• Cultural Heritage – Home to Russell-Cotes Museum, Winter Gardens, iconic pier, and St Peter’s Church spire