A third area, certificate stock and security, was rated Moderate, with improvements being addressed through an agreed action plan.
The service recorded a birth registration performance rate of 99 per cent during the assurance period, against a national target of 98 per cent.
Its death registration performance rate was 96 per cent, above the 95 per cent target.
According to Oldham Council’s account of the review, the service maintained 100 per cent appointment availability across all registration areas throughout 2025/26.
The General Register Office awarded Satisfactory, the highest available rating, for service delivery performance and Public Protection and Counter Fraud.
Reviewers described Oldham’s operation as a “highly effective and well managed service, delivering excellent performance across all statutory registration functions.”
Oldham was among the first councils to undergo the GRO’s revised assurance process and the first in the North West, the council said.
The review recognised staff training, flexible working across registration functions and safeguarding links with adult and children’s services.
It also highlighted business continuity arrangements designed to maintain services during disruption.
Although certificate stock and security received a Moderate rating, the review confirmed that all certificate stock was accounted for and records matched those held by the GRO.
The council said it had strengthened monitoring and introduced quarterly stock checks.
Fran Lautman, assistant director of customer experience, said “We are incredibly proud of the outcome of this review, which recognises the strength of our Registration Service and how well it performs for residents.”
She added “Our team supports residents through some of the most important and emotional moments in their lives. They may be helping a family through the registration of a death one moment and supporting a couple on their wedding day the next, always delivering the same high standard of care, compassion and service.”
An action plan agreed with the GRO will be monitored by the Proper Officer and Superintendent Registrar throughout 2026/27.
