Where to get a copy of birth certificate

You need to register on the General Register Office (GRO) website to get a copy of a birth, adoption, death, marriage or civil partnership certificate in England and Wales.

You can use this service to research your family tree.

Order with the GRO index reference number.

It takes around 10 minutes and you’ll need a debit or credit card.

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Contents

  • More information
  • Other ways to apply

There’s a different process for getting certificates in Scotland and getting certificates in Northern Ireland.

Certificate fees

Certificates cost £11 and are sent 4 days after you apply.

If you do not have a GRO index reference number, you’ll have to pay £3 extra for each search. Certificates are sent 15 working days after you apply.

If you need the certificate sooner, you can use the priority service for £35. It’ll be sent the next working day if you order by 4pm.

Extra copies are the same price.

Get help ordering a certificate

Contact the General Register Office for help ordering a certificate or questions about an order.

General Register Office
(for general enquiries)
Online form (for enquiries after you’ve applied for a certificate)
Telephone: 0300 123 1837
Textphone: 18001 0300 123 1837
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Saturday, 9am to 1pm
Find out about call charges

General Register Office
PO Box 2
Southport
PR8 2JD

Registration of births or deaths abroad

If you’ve registered a birth or death with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Overseas Registration Unit, you cannot get a copy from the GRO until the November of the following year.

If you need a copy sooner, email the name of the registered person, the registration date and reference number to:

  • for birth registrations
  • for death registrations

You’ll get a reply telling you how to get your copy and the cost - usually £50 plus courier fees.

Ordering by phone

To order certificates by phone, call the General Register Office.

General Register Office
Telephone: 0300 123 1837
Text relay: 18001 0300 123 1837
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Saturday, 9am to 1pm
Find out about call charges

Ordering by post

To order certificates by post, fill in the relevant GRO certificate application and send it to the address on the form.

Register offices

You can also order certificates from the local register office where the birth, death or marriage was registered.

New York State Department of Health can provide copies of birth certificates for individuals born outside of New York City’s five boroughs.

Average Time of Transaction

Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate

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Overview

Who is eligible to obtain a birth certificate copy?

  • The person named on the birth certificate
  • A parent of the person named on the birth certificate whose name appears on the birth certificate
  • A spouse, child or other person who has an order from a New York State Court to obtain a copy of a birth certificate

*For births in the five boroughs of New York City, contact the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Guidance

Download the mail-in application to obtain a copy of a birth certificate.

How To

Refer to this step by step process to order a birth certificate:

  1. Gather the necessary identifying information (See list below)
  2. Complete the application online, by telephone or by mail
  3. Pay the required fees with credit card (internet only), check drawn from a U.S. bank or with a money order - DO NOT send cash.
  1. Submit the application

Ready? Have with you:

Applications must be submitted with either:

  • A driver’s license
  • A state-issued non-driver photo ID card
  • Passport
  • U.S. military-issued photo ID

Or applications may be submitted with TWO of the following:

  • Utility or telephone bills
  • Letter from a government agency dated within the last six months

What if I’m making a request from a foreign country?

If the country you are in requires a U.S. Passport for travel, you must also provide a copy of your passport with your application along with the other identification documents.

Fees

ORDER TYPE FEES (per copy)
Online or Phone Orders $45 + $8 vendor processing fee per transaction (not per copy)
Walk-in Orders $45
Mail Orders $30

Apply

Ready to Apply?

APPLY NOW

OR

By Telephone:

Call VitalChek Toll Free at 1-877-854-4481
The Service is Available in English and Spanish
Call 24 hours a day, seven days a week

By Mail:

Send requests for regular handling to the following address:

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

How do I replace my birth certificate in Singapore?

Once a birth certificate is lost and a replacement is required, applicant has to apply for a birth extract. All applications for a certified extract of these records have to be made on the requisite application forms. Applications can be made in person or via the Internet. The BC holder or his parents.

Where can I download birth certificate in Singapore?

You may contact ICA at [email protected] if you have any query relating to the birth registration process and digital birth certificate. Note: ICA no longer issues physical birth certificates from 29 May 2022. Digital birth certificates will be issued only for births that are registered from 29 May 2022.

How much does it cost to get a copy of your birth certificate in Virginia?

The Code of Virginia requires a cost of $12.00 per certificate/search. There is no refund if the certificate is not found. If no record is found for a birth certificate request, a “No Record” letter will be issued. METHOD OF PAYMENT – Online requests can be paid by credit card or mailed in with a check or money order.

What is the fastest way to get a birth certificate in Texas?

What is the quickest way to order my birth certificate? The quickest way is to order online at Texas.gov. How do I purchase a long form birth certificate for my passport? Long-form or full-size birth certificates may be requested online, by mail or in-person.