FAQ

The details contained on a full birth certificate include:

• Name, date and place of birth.
• Father's name (if given at time of registration), place of birth and occupation.
• Mother's name, place of birth, maiden surname and, after 1984, occupation.
• (Registrations made before 1969 do not include details of the parents' place of birth and mother's occupation.)

The details contained on a marriage certificate include:

• Date and place of marriage.
• Name, age and marital status of man and woman.
• Occupation and usual address.
• Name and occupation of each party's father.
• Names of the witnesses.
• Name of the person who solemnised the marriage.

The details contained on a death certificate include:

• Name, date and place of death.
• Date and place of birth (before 1969 a certificate only showed age of deceased).
• Occupation and usual address.
• Cause of death.
• The person who gave information for the death registration.

What is a GRO index reference.

Shop 4 Documents search this information free of charge before submitting your application. The General Register Office allocates a reference to every event of birth, marriage or death registered in England and Wales. This relates to the year, quarter, and district that the entry was registered in. By giving the office this index reference it allows the register to quickly identify the correct entry.

When will my certificate(s) be despatched?

• England & Wales & Scotland Standard service with GRO reference supplied: orders will be despatched within 7 working days (not including weekends or bank holidays) . Please allow 7-10 working days for Northern and Southern Ireland certificates.
• Standard service without GRO reference supplied:.If we cannot locate or read the reference numbers we will contact you prior to ordering.
• Priority service: orders will be despatched the next working day.
• All Certificate applications made after 3pm Monday to Friday will be treated as the next day's business. Applications may be made on a Saturday or Sunday but will not be processed until the following Monday (excluding Bank Holidays where orders will be processed on the tuesday)

How will my certificate(s) be delivered?

UK certificate(s) will be despatched by 1st class Royal Mail post, Royal Mail estimate delivery 2 working days.  For customers overseas there is an additional charge as the package will be sent by international signed for or Airsure and will take up to 5 days, Rest of World- up to 7 days. 

Alternative Courier services can be arranged on request please enquire for pricing.