GRO delays

[Pennines]

Is anyone else experiencing delays with the receipt of orders from the GRO please?

In the last 3 weeks - I firstly received an incorrect paper copy of a certificate. I reported this and eventually received the correct copy. However in their emailed reply the GRO said they would be sending an envelope separately to return the incorrect one, with a covering letter.

That has not yet been received a week later.

In addition - 2 ordered PDF copies, supposed to be 'despatched' on 29th July 2022, have still not been uploaded. I have reported the delay - but no response as yet.

I have NEVER had problems previously with the GRO. The service has always been excellent, so I wondered if anyone else was having similar experiences - or, indeed, whether they know if something is amiss generally.

[AntonyMMM]

My most recent PDF order, a couple of weeks ago, was received about 6 days after the due date ...so things are slow at the moment.

I've heard that some staff may have been transferred over to help with passport delays ( they are part of the same department), although it may only be a rumour and I have no confirmation of that.

The issuing of historic certs has never been GROs primary business, so it is the first service to suffer when any issues arise. But there are plans being tested to make things very different, so it may improve soon.

[Pennines]

Thank you Anthony -- that makes sense.

It would be a good idea if they posted a notice on the certificate ordering page about delays, because they will be receiving emailed queries to add to their burden.

Many thanks again.

[pandacub]

I've noticed delays with GRO too and I've also heard the rumours about some of the staff being temporarily sent to help in the Passport Dept.  I ordered a couple of marriage certs to be sent by post as they weren't available as PDFs.  The GRO site said they had been posted on time but they took nearly 2 weeks to be delivered.  My last batch of PDFs arrived 8 days after the due date.  The time on the email was 6am so perhaps they are working extra hours to try to clear the backlog.   

[Pennines]

So glad to know that they aren't just 'picking on' me!!

Thank you pandacub (really cute username by the way!!)

[LizzieL]

I sent for a death cert PDF about four weeks ago, arrived 8 days after estimated date. But since my ancestor has been dead 150 years a few more days to know exact date didn't bother me.
I hope staff   have been sent over to help out issuing passports, so many people having to cancel or postpone travel abroad because of the delays.

[Andy J2022]

They've still got some way to go to beat the Library and Archives of Canada (LAC). I ordered the Second World War  military record of a cousin in August 2019 and LAC don't anticipate being able to fulfil the request until June 2023 at the earliest. Admittedly the service is free and my request was in the lowest priority group, but still...

[rosie99]

Thank you Anthony -- that makes sense.

It would be a good idea if they posted a notice on the certificate ordering page about delays, because they will be receiving emailed queries to add to their burden.

Many thanks again.

It is currently showing this message

Service Updates

Due to current high demand, some customers may experience a short delay in receiving their order. If you need to contact us please do so using the online form that can be found on GOV.UK or email us at certificate.services@gro.gov.uk.

[Pennines]

I hadn't seen that message Rosie - thank you. Obviously I need to go back to Specsavers!

If I had seen it, I wouldn't have been so concerned about the unusual delay. They are so efficient normally.

Andy! It's hard to believe that delay from the Canadian Library and Archives!