Are historic certificates arriving from the GRO in the current pandemic?

[andycadman]

I ordered an 19th century Marriage certificate from the GRO a while ago as part of some research that I am doing. I know that they currently have significantly reduced staffing due to the current pandemic. I am sure that they have more urgent cases to deal with at the moment and I will most probably have to be very patient in waiting for it to arrive. Does anyone know if none urgent orders are arriving through the post at the moment and how long they are taking?

[Gadget]

Have you seen the message on the GRO website:

Due to Covid-19, certificate orders will not be completed within the published timescales

In line with public health guidance to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, the General Register Office is currently operating with reduced staffing to comply with social distancing restrictions.
We remain committed to processing orders as fast as we can, however please do not contact us for updates as we will be unable to confirm when your order will be completed.
If your order is not urgent, please help us to support those who need our services the most by coming back at a later date to apply.

For priority orders using Royal Mail Special Delivery or DHL Delivery, please check the relevant website for updates on delivery information.

[Girl Guide]

They are arriving but will take longer than they would do normally.  I ordered a marriage certificate and it did arrive but took longer than normal.

I am assuming you meant a marriage certificate dating from 1837 or later.  18th century marriages are in parish records.

[andycadman]

Thank you for getting back Gadget & Girl guide:

I missed this when I applied a while back.  I just guess that I will just have to be extremely patient.  I just wondered if any none urgent certificates were getting through at the moment as “lock down” is being relaxed just a little.

(It's a post 1837 certificate).

[KGarrad]

I ordered  a marriage certificate on 28th April - it arrived a couple of days ago.

And just to reiterate - there weren't any certificates before 1st July 1837

I would assume priority orders are quicker - but there's an extra cost for them!

[andycadman]

Many thanks for letting me know KGarrad.  That's just the information that I needed. I did not want to pester the GRO in the current crisis and now I know that my certificate is likely to arrive with a little patience.

(Sorry for the typo- should have originally read 19th Century certificate!- now updated)

[groom]

Judging by posts on another forum it seems they are taking about a month to 5 weeks for paper copies and a bit quicker for pdf ones.

[AntonyMMM]

Most, but not all, local registration offices are still supplying certificates, and are generally much quicker than GRO at the moment ( although no PDF option).

The last paper certificate I ordered from GRO finally arrived recently after about 7 weeks.

So I've been ordering most of mine locally over the last couple of months and I don't think any have taken longer than a week - some just a couple of days.

[Norfolk Nan]

I ordered two death certificates (1916) from Hounslow Register Office at the end of May and had them in my hand yesterday.