Bradford Registry Office

Registry Services in Bradford

Bradford Registry Office is magnificently housed in the iconic Grade I listed City Hall, one of England’s finest examples of Victorian Gothic civic architecture. Designed by renowned local architects Lockwood & Mawson and officially opened in 1873, this spectacular Venetian Gothic masterpiece stands proudly in Centenary Square with its distinctive 220-foot clock tower inspired by Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio. The building relocated the registry service here in October 2014, combining Yorkshire’s industrial heritage with modern wedding services in an architectural gem that has featured in Peaky Blinders, Coronation Street, and numerous other productions.

How to Apply for Certificates

Booking Your Appointment

Bradford Registry Office operates exclusively on an appointment-only basis. You can book appointments by calling 01274 432151 or contacting the council switchboard on 01274 432111. Located in the magnificent Grade I listed City Hall, one of Britain’s most architecturally significant Victorian buildings, advance booking is essential for both certificates and ceremonies in this prestigious West Yorkshire landmark that symbolizes Bradford’s former status as the “Wool Capital of the World.”

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 10 working days, with priority applications available for next working day processing. The historic City Hall offers intimate ceremony suites for up to 14 guests maximum, providing simple, modest ceremonies in elegant Victorian Gothic surroundings. Additional civic rooms are available for weekend bookings, with the building’s silver corridors and ceremonial staircases providing stunning backdrops for photography.

Planning Your Visit

Location and Transport

Bradford Registry Office is located in City Hall on Centenary Square at the heart of Bradford city centre, easily accessible from Bradford Interchange station and major motorway networks. The building sits prominently in West Yorkshire’s largest city, with excellent transport links to Leeds, Manchester, and throughout the Yorkshire region. The central location provides direct access to Bradford’s vibrant cultural quarter and the historic Little Germany district.

Yorkshire’s Wool Capital

Located in Bradford, the historic “Wool Capital of the World” known for its magnificent Victorian architecture and rich industrial heritage. The city’s transformation from textile powerhouse to modern cultural center provides couples with diverse backdrops for wedding photography, from the Gothic Revival splendor of City Hall and the Wool Exchange to the beautiful parklands of Lister Park and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Saltaire.

Parking and Access

While City Hall doesn’t have dedicated parking, numerous city centre car parks are available nearby. The building features accessibility accommodations with ground floor ceremony suites available. The iconic 220-foot clock tower with its 13-bell carillon serves as a distinctive landmark visible across Bradford, and the building’s Grade I listed status ensures preservation of its spectacular Victorian Gothic features.

Victorian Gothic City Hall

Bradford Registry Office is housed in one of England’s most magnificent Victorian civic buildings featuring:

• Lockwood & Mawson Masterpiece – Designed 1869-1873 by Bradford’s most famous architects, also responsible for Saltaire and the Wool Exchange
• Venetian Gothic Splendor – Grade I listed building inspired by Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio with local Gaisby rock sandstone construction
• Iconic Clock Tower – 220-foot tower with 13-bell carillon weighing 17 tons, dominating Bradford’s skyline since 1873
• Royal Statuary – Exterior adorned with statues of British monarchs from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria, plus Oliver Cromwell
• Shaw Extension – 1905-09 extension by Richard Norman Shaw adding banqueting halls and ceremonial spaces
• Film & TV Fame – Featured in Peaky Blinders, Coronation Street, and numerous productions celebrating its authentic Victorian grandeur