Diocesan Registry

The Diocesan Registry looks after many legal matters for both the Diocese of Salisbury and the Diocese of Winchester and many of its constituent parts. The processing of faculty applications, the maintenance of the records of the Diocese, the regulation of ordinations and clergy appointments, the legal aspects of marriages, consecrations of land and buildings, and advising on the representation of the laity in church government are all part of the day-to-day service of this office.

Other Registry work includes the issue of Common Licences for marriage, which are used in place of the calling of banns in certain circumstances, and the preparation of legal papers in connection with the ordination and appointment of clergy to parish and diocesan posts.

The title "Registry" suggests the keeping of records, and the Registry also keeps many of the legal records of the Diocese, including the deeds to some churches, up to date and easily accessible.

The specialist knowledge of the Registrar and staff is available to anyone with a proper interest in church matters and it is often not available elsewhere, as church law is very little-known to lawyers in general. Genealogical enquiries, unfortunately, are outside our scope, and our records simply do not extend to these matters, nor to burial records.

Although this office cannot act against any officer of this Diocese or constituent parts of the Diocese itself, the Registrar, Andrew Johnson, is well established in helping people and parishes from other Dioceses. This may relate to the complicated issues of approaching Consistory Court cases, or to clergy dealing with matters of discipline and the like.

If you have any queries regarding the Diocesan Registry then please contact the direct telephone line: (01722) 432390.

Other more general queries about the work of each Diocese may be found on the relevant Diocesan Website

Salisbury Diocese may be dealt with on the website www.salisburyanglican.org.uk

Winchester Diocese may be dealt with on the website www.winchester.anglican.org