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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Damian Keady on Thursday 20 September 18 03:52 BST (UK)
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Hi all...
This has probably been covered many, many time's before, so I apologise in advance for being a pain!!
However.. does anyone know how to order a Birth Certificate online when you don’t have the actual DOB for the eForm field on the (England / Wales) GRO website… I am trying to order a copy of a birth certificate for what I feel may be a relative born in 1971.. I can fill all the other fields in just not the DOB as I do not know it.
The thing is I know the GRO Index reference already from searching the registers, but it still wants to know an exact DOB as it is a required field. That is one of the reasons I want to get a copy of the birth certificate, because if I already knew that, I would probably be able to do more research without a copy of the birth certificate..
Any help much appreciated..
Thanks for looking...
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The GRO wants to know the exact date of birth for all Birth Certificate requests where the birth is in the last 50 years.
It's to combat fraud and identity theft.
You can write to the GRO, or email them. See:
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/contact_us.asp
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The reason you need an exact date is that that person would now only be aged 47 if still living. Apart from having a right to their own privacy, they most likely also don't want Nigerian scammers attempting to steal their identity.
However if you wait a couple of years you can get anyone's birth certificate after 50 years without a date of birth. Apparently once you turn 50 you get a magical ring of protection, possibly something to do with unicorns.
Debra :)
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First thing you must understand is the difference between the GRO's legal obligations (law) and their office policy (a policy dreamed up without any thought to the laws they have to comply with).
Their legal obligation is to supply a copy of any marriage, birth and live birth registration in their custody to any person in the world who supplies the required fee and enough information to identify the registration required.
They have no choice in the matter, even the GRO have to obey the law even though they sometimes think they can operate above the law.
Write to them giving the information you have , enclose the required fee and they will supply the certificate.
Cheers
Guy
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They do say
You will be prompted to supply further details for more recent births and deaths (within the last 50 years) as you complete the online application form.
If you are unable to complete the mandatory fields, then you will not be able to apply online.
If you would like to order a certificate by post you can download an application form and guidance note via GOV.UK - or write to GRO at the address shown above confirming the number and type of application forms required.
Stan
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As Guy says they do have to supply (but like to make it difficult for you).
It may be easier (and probably quicker) to order from the local registration office that holds the original record - they will ask why you want it but "family history research" is an acceptable answer.
Or some professional researchers have an access code ( I do) that allows them to bypass the GRO restriction so one of them could get it for you.
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As Guy says they do have to supply (but like to make it difficult for you).
It may be easier (and probably quicker) to order from the local registration office that holds the original record - they will ask why you want it but "family history research" is an acceptable answer.
Or some professional researchers have an access code ( I do) that allows them to bypass the GRO restriction so one of them could get it for you.
So is the facetious "I want to impersonate the subject", I tried this a few years ago when they first started their games.
Cheers
Guy
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Dear all
Many thanks for your replies and sound advice, it is very much appreciated!
I will write to them with the info I have and post it off with the relevant fee!
I will let you know if they deny me a copy.
Thanks again
Damo
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Or some professional researchers have an access code ( I do) that allows them to bypass the GRO restriction so one of them could get it for you.
I've got one too but the GRO don't issue them anymore.
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Hi All
As mentioned i will be ordering a copy of the Birth Certificate I want a copy of by post.. however from what everyone is saying here, it seems like another money making exercise?
So you can do the research yourself, and then provide the GRO index ref. and other details, and then get charged to actually get a copy ??
What do they then do? the GRO I mean... If you can search online and then find what you want, why not be able to buy it online... securely of course.. and traceable if needed to see who took what...
Just putting it out there.
Damo
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In theory, you can get the GRO ref and order directly, but as the birth you are looking for is less than 50 years old, the GRO will ask to suplly further information to 'validate' your enquiry.
If you have the GRO ref, then phone them and order over the phone but they will ask you for the child's date and specific place of birth and the full names of both parents including the mother's maiden name. They will also ask you for your relationship to the child in question.
If you cannot supply everything they ask, it will be up to the GRO to decide whether to supply or decline.
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Hello
The Government probably believe that if born in the last 50 years, that generally relatives know their relations and are able to trace and contact them direct in most cases.
My ex wanted to keep my Childrens Birth Certificates and I needed them for my children living with me.
The easiest way was to have a morning Appointment with the District Registrar covering the area of where they were born and went by train with my Passport and family papers, showed my papers, completed an Application, paid the fee and after dinner she handed them personally to me.
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I really don't mind whatsoever Public Authorities being 'awkward' and having to prove I was related, prove who I claimed to be and where I lived. Because I hate fraud and the massive amount of public money being wasted and genuine claimants getting a bad name.
Some councils have discovered they have Let 10 to 20 homes to the same person, who is running a sub-letting scam, in some cases people have got multiple I.D. papers.
This fraud is denying people who have waited on the list for social housing and applied properly.
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Sometimes tracing and contacting your relatives direct, with just an old location and full name might be possible?
Many relatives are usually happy to speak by 'phone and exchange old information and old photos by email, when they have sussed you out!
We traced ours forward from early 20th Century in the Archives to a 1980s address (the last year my relative lived there). One sunny afternoon (with my Passport & proof of who I was) called there, but no reply, then to a neighbour no reply, then to another neighbour, who sent me to another lady, who told me my relative had died and knew his Daughter and within several hours I was face to face with a relative (by marriage) who said nothing despite me introducing my full name and who I was related to, until I said my Grandfather was killed in an ... and showed him this old letter about it. Ohhhhhhhhhhh I know who you are, was his reply.
Mark
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Hi All
As mentioned i will be ordering a copy of the Birth Certificate I want a copy of by post.. however from what everyone is saying here, it seems like another money making exercise?
So you can do the research yourself, and then provide the GRO index ref. and other details, and then get charged to actually get a copy ??
What do they then do? the GRO I mean... If you can search online and then find what you want, why not be able to buy it online... securely of course.. and traceable if needed to see who took what...
Just putting it out there.
Damo
I just put family research, works for me . . .