Birth certificates, death, marriage or civil partnership certificates, etc. are vital legal documents and are required for many purposes such as visa and passport applications in the UK. But do you know how to order these certificates? This article will introduce several ways to order such certificates and provide details on them such as payment and delivery.
What Information Do I Need for The Certificates?
Birth certificate: A birth certificate is the first legal proof of identity of a person. This certificate contains all the information about the birth of a person. As a primary identification document, it is required in certain circumstances such as obtaining passports. To order birth certificates, you need to provide the following information:
- Full name of the child
- Date of birth
- Place of birth (such as a hospital or home address)
- Full names of the parents.
Death certificate: If you hold a funeral or arrange a cremation for the deceased, you should apply for a death certificate ahead. To apply for a death certificate, you need to provide the following information:
- Full name of the deceased
- Date of birth
- Date of death
- Place of death
- If married or in a civil partnership, the full name of the spouse/civil partner.
Marriage certificate: If you are married, a marriage certificate is required by law in the UK. This document not only proves that you are legally married but also provides some important legal protections for you and your partner. To apply for a marriage certificate, you need to provide the following information:
- Full names of both partners of the marriage
- Date and place of the marriage ceremony.
Civil partnership certificate: In the UK, the civil partnership certificate is for couples who can’t obtain a marriage certificate by law, same-sex couples, for example. Like married couples, civil partners share many of the same benefits, rights, and obligations, such as the same property rights and the ability to obtain parental responsibility regarding the children. Therefore, it is a vital legal document as well. To apply for a marriage certificate, you need to provide the following information:
- Full names of both parties of the civil partnership
- Date and place of the civil partnership ceremony.
How to Order The Certificate from The UK?
There are four different ways to order the certificates in the UK. You can choose whichever way is convenient for you. Below is a guide for each method.
Ordering online
Ordering online is the quickest and easiest way to get the certificates. Besides, you can choose this method if you live outside the UK or you don’t have a UK address.
Step 1. Access the General Register Office site and register or log in.
Step 2. Click “Order a Certificate or PDF”.
Step 3. Fill up the required information under the instructions.
Step 4. Select service options including delivery and additional copy if applicable.
Step 5. Pay for the application fee with a card.
Step 6. You will receive the certificates within several working days.
Ordering by phone
To order certificates by phone, you may call the General Register Office and provide the required information depending on the certificate you wish to apply:
Telephone: 0300 123 1837Text relay: 18001 0300 123 1837Working hours: Monday to Friday: 8 am to 6 pm; Saturday: 9 am to 1 pm.
Please note that call charges may be applicable.
If ordering by phone an additional administration fee of ￡4 is payable. You may pay for the total application fee with a credit or debit card.
Ordering by post
You may download and complete the relevant GRO certificate application form, and send it to the following address by post:
General Register Office PO Box 2,
Southport Merseyside United Kingdom PR8 2JD.
If ordering by post an additional administration fee of ￡4 is payable. You may pay for the total application fee with a credit or debit card or a check to the “HM Passport Office”.
Ordering from a local register office
Suppose you are unable to complete the mandatory fields in the other three methods or you are worried that your mail may be lost. In that case, you can also order the certificates from your local register office where the birth, death, or marriage was registered. Access the local register office site and enter a postcode to locate the register office. You can apply for the certificates and pay for the application fees in person from the register office. When the certificate is produced, you may collect it in person.
GRO index reference number
All births, deaths, marriages, and civil partnerships registered in England and Wales have a GRO index reference number. This number helps you research your family history and family tree. In addition, you may order the certificates with a GRO index reference number to speed up the application process. Please refer to this site to find the index reference number. If you do not have a GRO index reference number, you will have to pay ￡3 extra when ordering a certificate.
How Much Does It Cost to Order A Certificate?
When you order a certificate, there are two service options with different prices for your choice.
Standard service
Your certificates will be despatched on the 4th working day after you make the payment (if a GRO index reference has been provided), or the 15th working day (if a GRO index reference has not been provided).
Priority service
Your certificates will be despatched on the next working day after you make the payment. You may select 1st class postage, Royal Mail Next Day Delivery, or DHL Overseas Delivery (for overseas addresses).
Below is the price list of all services under different order methods:
| Service | Online | Phone or Post | |
| Priority service | A certificate with a GRO index reference number provided | ￡35 | ￡39 |
| A certificate without a GRO index reference number provided | ￡38 | ￡42 | |
| Additional copy of the certificate at the same time | ￡35 | ￡35 | |
| Standard service | A certificate with a GRO index reference number provided | ￡11 | ￡15 |
| A certificate without a GRO index reference number provided | ￡14 | ￡18 | |
| Additional copy of the certificate at the same time | ￡11 | ￡11 | |
| Online view digital image | ￡2.5 | N/A | |
| ￡7 | N/A | ||
| A Commemorative Certificate with a GRO index reference number provided | ￡35 | ￡39 | |
| A Commemorative Certificate without a GRO index reference number provided | ￡38 | ￡42 | |
How to Correct Errors on UK Certificates?
If you find errors on your certificates, you may apply for corrections made to the original information only. You are not allowed to apply for a correction to show new information. If the application is approved, a note will be added to the margin of the certificate and the original information will always be shown.
It costs ￡75 or ￡90 to apply to correct one mistake in a certificate. You should point out what information was wrong and provide documents with your application that show the correct information. Generally, the applications can take up to 25 days for you to get a reply.
Birth Correction
The mother or the father (if his details are on the certificate) of the birth certificate holder may apply for a birth certificate correction such as removing the wrong father’s details.
Access this site, download, and complete the relevant application form. And send it with the documents to the register office where your child’s birth was registered.
Documents include:
- A valid passport
- Driving licence
- Bank or credit card statement
- Letter from a hospital or doctor
- Letter from a government department.
Death correction
Anyone providing a letter regarding the information of the death can apply for a correction on the death certificate.
Visit the official site, download and fill out the application form. Then send it with the required document to the register office where the death was registered.
Documents include:
- A valid passport
- Driving license
- Bank or credit card statement
- Letter from a hospital or doctor
- Letter from a government department
- Utility bill.
Marriage or civil partnership correction
Either one of the married or civil couples can apply for a correction on the certificate.
Navigate to this site, download, and complete the relevant application form. Then submit relevant documents to the register office where the marriage or civil partnership was registered.
Documents checklists:
- A valid passport
- Driving license
- Bank or credit card statement within 3 months before the marriage or civil partnership
- Letter from a hospital or doctor
- Letter from a government department.
FAQ
- Can I get a PDF of my birth certificate UK?
Yes, you can get a PDF of your UK birth certificate by ordering it on the General Register Office site. The PDF will be available to view in your online account within 5 working days after you make the payment of ￡7. You will be notified by email when the PDF is completed. If you still haven’t received your PDF after this time, please use the online form for inquiry.
- How do I get a UK birth certificate abroad?
If you are living abroad, you may order a birth certificate on the General Register Office site and pay for the application fee of ￡35 with a GRO index reference number provided, and ￡38 if without one.
- Can I get a UK marriage certificate if I am married abroad?
Yes, if you are married abroad, you can get an overseas marriage certificate by post or online. It is easier and cheaper to order marriage certificates online.
- Is UK civil partnership recognized in the USA?
No. According to US immigration law, non-marital civil partnerships such as UK civil partnerships are not recognized in the US for immigration purposes. Therefore, civil partners will have to apply for a US visa in his or her own right.
Conclusion
This article offers rich information about how to order birth, death, marriage, or civil partnership certificates from the UK. There are four ways to order: online, by phone, by post, and from a local registry office. Each way costs a different price.
Erin Lo