Apply for a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate

What we need to know when you apply by post for a certificate

Birth certificate

To apply for a certified copy of a birth record we need to know:

  • full name of the child (as registered at birth)
  • date of birth
  • Place of birth (eg hospital, home address)
  • parents names (as shown on the original registration)

Two versions of the birth certificate are available, the extract (short) certificate and the full certificate. The extract (short) certificate contains the child’s full name, gender, date of birth and place of birth. The full certificate contains the same information as the extract (short) certificate and also the parents’ details.

Death certificate

To apply for a certified copy of a death record we need to know:

  • the deceased's full name
  • their date of death
  • where the person died

Marriage certificate

To apply for a certified copy of a marriage record we need to know:

  • full names of the bride and groom
  • date of the marriage ceremony
  • name of the wedding venue

Civil partnership certificate

To apply for a certified copy of a civil partnership record we need to know:

  • full names of both parties
  • date of the civil partnership ceremony
  • name of the venue

Two types of certificate are available, the extract (short) certificate and the full certificate. You need to know the address of the couple at the time of the civil partnership for a full certificate.

Incomplete information

The General Register Office hold records of all life events that took place within England and Wales and can carry out wider searches where details are not known. Submit an application to the general register office online or phone 0300 123 1837.