How long are GRO certs taking?

[richarde1979]

To my understanding the scanning of the Deaths and Births has already been done, (up to around 1930's?) just the marriages remain. You would think then, at least even if we could not see these online, at very least the GRO would be able to already make use of these to digitally call up and print the certificates and send. However according to a recent post on another thread by Guy Etchells, this doesn't seem the case, and they are apparantly still following the old system

I thought they were using the digitised records?  Surely that was the primary purpose of the exercise, to modernise the GRO systems. 

I'm not conversant with the details, but Guy has said more than once that there has already been an attempt to change the law, which fell through.  I assume it was the law which insists that Register Offices may only provide us with information in the form of certified copies? 

Well this is it, you would think so wouldn't you? But if they were using the digitised images already surely this would have already have cut their overheads considerably? I cannot see anyway they'd in that circumstance be able to justify any sort of price rise. Guy said in another thread that producing a certificate is not as simple as a 'click of the mouse' and his own personal estimate for producing a single cert under current system was between 15 to 20 pounds. From that it does not appear they can yet be doing so.

In regards the law, that is also my understanding, it has already fallen through once, (because it was poorly framed?), and now it wont be touched by any M.P. This is why I think it may perhaps be more constructive ultimately to petition for this law change than simply protest at the price rise, perhaps make someone in a position to do so, think it worthwhile taking up the baton?  Sadly I don't think the current petitions will achieve very much,  they are not likely to drop prices now they have raised them.

Somebody made a good point on this same thread that change was more likely to come from within the GRO, than without. Even if they do simplify their system, I can't see they will ever make as much profit at near ten pound a certificate under such system, than they would with a digital system similar to Scotlands People. Ultimately it must be in their interest as well as ours,  to move towards such a system, but whether they see it that way.....

[amp001]

I ordrered certs on the 23rd March, told they would be despatched on 30th. Hmm still waiting

[coombs]

I am noting down entries on the same page or in the same quarter and seeing if the entry has been added to someone elses tree or on the IGI to try and narrow down the actual date while I wait for the cert.

[dawnsh]

Hi amp001

As mentioned previously, due to the increase in demand to beat the price increase, you need to add 4 "working" days to the quoted despatch date, then a couple of extra days for the Easter holiday closure.

My best guess is that they'll be dated today 8th or tomorrow 9th and you'll get them Monday or Tuesday next week.

You have to wait at least 7 working days after the due despatch date before you can claim (see below) they've gone astray in the post.

https://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1292.htm


Dawn

[amp001]

Hi Dawn
Thanks for the info. These are the first certs I have ordered online so thought it was maybe some mistake I had made.

[coombs]

That means mine will probably arrive next Monday or Tuesday as I ordered mine on the 24th March.

[Sloe Gin]

But if they were using the digitised images already surely this would have already have cut their overheads considerably? I cannot see anyway they'd in that circumstance be able to justify any sort of price rise. Guy said in another thread that producing a certificate is not as simple as a 'click of the mouse' and his own personal estimate for producing a single cert under current system was between 15 to 20 pounds. From that it does not appear they can yet be doing so.

I knew I'd seen it somewhere.

What has happened to the records which have already been digitised?
The digitised records are now being used by GRO within its certificate production system, known as EAGLE. As well as a database and image store, the EAGLE system also allows for the recording and tracking of all customer orders.

http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1090.htm

[richarde1979]

That's very interesting Sloe Gin. It does seem that they ARE being used doesn't it. I cannot see then, at least for the certs that are covered and have been scanned, how it can possibly cost 15-20 pounds to produce a copy, it must surely have made it much simpler, just call up the image from a database, print and send. How much can that cost them? I think that makes the price rise even more dubious and extremely hard to defend. Also wasn't it taxpayers money that paid to have them scanned..shouldn't any benefit be passed on to us?

[ozlady]

Finally............ my cert arrived yesterday! Even taking into account hols etc., 15 days seems to be a long time for a priority order.