How to Obtain a British Birth Certificate

Order your British birth certificate online, by phone, or by mail.

Whether you need a British birth certificate to get your marriage license, get a new passport, or research your family tree, you need to go through the General Register Office. Ordering the birth certificate is easy to do by phone, mail, or online. If you choose the standard method--with a smaller fee--you'll receive a copy of the birth certificate within 15 working days; for a small surcharge, the GRO will send it out the next day.

Instructions

Online

1. Register with the General Register Office online system. You'll only have to do this once. Simply provide a name, address, and password for the system.

2. Select the type of certificate that you need. Specify whether the person was born in the United Kingdom or overseas.

3. Enter the year of the event. Click the "Submit" button.

4. Confirm your delivery address. This should be the address that you gave at the time of registration. You can make changes if necessary.

5. Enter the details of the birth certificate. You'll need to enter the person's name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names.

6. Choose the delivery service and the number of copies you'd like to receive.

7. Give the order a personal reference. This can be any word that you'll remember. It's something to reference should you have a problem. Click the "Submit" button when finished.

8. Confirm the order and checkout. You'll be asked for a credit card number to pay for the service.

Telephone

1. Call the General Register Office. The office is open Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is [phone].

2. Give the representative the details for the birth certificate. For example, name, place of birth and parents' names. You'll also need to tell her where to ship the birth certificate.

3. Pay for the order by credit card. The representative will take your card information by phone.

Mail

1. Request a copy of the application form. You can do this by calling [phone] or emailing [e-mail]. Put "GQ" in the subject if you're requesting by email.

2. Fill out the application. You'll have to give your information in addition to the information for the person whose birth certificate you're ordering.

3. Write a check to "IPS." This should cover the cost of ordering the copies. Check online for current rates.

4. Mail the documents and payment. The General Register Office address is:
   General Register Office; P.O. Box 2; Southport, Merseyside, United Kingdom, PR8 2JD

References

• Directgov: Order Birth, Marriage or Death Certificates

Resources

• General Register Office: Certificate Ordering System