Archive Website of the UK government

What certificates are available?

All certificates are exact copies of the full record made at the time of the birth, marriage or death. The exception to this is the 'short birth certificate', which is an extract of the full record, and contains the name, date of birth and gender.

You can use the help sheets below as a guide to the information you may find in a certificate.

• Download 'Birth certificate' help sheet (PDF, 151K)

• Download 'Marriage certificate' help sheet (PDF, 185K)

• Download 'Death certificate' help sheet (PDF, 156K)

• Help with PDF files

How to order certificates

It’s quick and easy to order certificates online using the General Register Office (GRO) online ordering service. You can also order a certificate by telephone, post or from the local register office where the event took place.

Extra copies of the same certificate can be issued at the same time for all applications. There is a fee of £9.25 for standard service and £23.40 for priority service.

• Order certificates online Opens new window

• Search for your local register office Opens new window

Ordering certificates online

You can order birth (full certificate only), marriage or death certificates online from 1837 onwards using the General Register Office index reference. If you do not have the reference, you can still order certificates as long as you can give enough information to identify the birth, marriage or death.

You can find out more about using the General Register Office index reference by reading the 'Using the General Register Office to research family history' article - link below.

Extra copies of the same certificate can be issued at the same time for all applications. There is a fee of £9.25 for standard service and £23.40 for priority service.

• Using the General Register Office to research family history

• Order certificates online Opens new window

Standard Service

If you supply the certificate index reference, the certificate is sent within four working days. Without the reference, it is sent within 15 working days.

All standard service certificates, including each additional copy, cost £9.25.

Priority Service

If you order online by 4.00 pm on a working day, your certificate is sent the next working day by First Class post. If you want to use Special Delivery options, orders must be placed by telephone on +44 (0) 300 123 1837.

All priority service certificates, including each additional copy, cost £23.40.

Ordering certificates by telephone or post

Telephone

You can order birth, marriage and death certificates by telephone from the General Register Office or you can contact the local register office where the event took place.

Call +44 (0) 300 123 1837, Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, or Saturday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. The General Register Office accepts Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Visa Debit or Maestro.

• Search for your local register office Opens new window

Post

Use the links below to download birth, marriage and death certificate applications forms. Please read the accompanying guidance notes - also available on a link below - before you complete your application form.

Send the completed form, with the correct payment by cheque or postal order, to General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2JD.

Make cheques or postal orders payable to 'IPS' (Identity and Passport Service).

• Application form guidance notes Opens new window

• Birth certificate application form Opens new window

• Marriage certificate application form Opens new window

• Death certificate application form Opens new window

How much will it cost to order by post or phone?

Standard Service

If you supply the certificate index reference, the certificate is sent within four working days. Without the reference, it will be sent within 15 working days.

All standard service certificates, including each additional copy, cost £9.25.

Priority Service

If you order by 4.00 pm on a working day, your certificate is sent the next working day by First Class post. Special Delivery options are only available on telephone orders.

All priority service certificates, including each additional copy, cost £23.40.

For events in Scotland or Northern Ireland

You can contact the relevant General Register Office using the links below.

• General Register Office for Scotland Opens new window

• General Register Office for Northern Ireland Opens new window

Useful contacts

• The National Archives

• Census information Opens new window

• General Register Office