GRO certificates/PDFs/Digital downloads

[EeyoreBlue]

Can someone explain to me what the difference is, if I order a birth certificate (1911) from GRO online.  The options are certificate, PDF, or digital download. But I'm not sure if a PDF or Download is just a copy of the GRO index or if its those versions of a certificate. Unless I'm missing something completely, it's not explained on GRO website.

Thank you 😊

[rosie99]

This is what the digital download looks like.  The dearer copies are mounted on the form (if that makes sense)


https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=888468.msg7618398#msg7618398

[Dave Francis]

There is also a potential issue with 'digital download' certificates - i.e. JPG images.

I recently ordered a batch of these, but one of the entries hadn't been properly scanned. Basically, the top half of the image was missing.

I reported this to the GRO and they replied as follows:

"We have arranged for a full refund of £3.00 to be credited to your account via Worldpay. As we are unable to manipulate the image, if you still require a copy of the above entry, you will need to place a further order for a PDF image (which can be manipulated) or a certificate."

I assume this means that the JPG images are individually scanned (perhaps automatically) but the PDF and paper versions are manually created on request (and therefore cost more).
 

[EeyoreBlue]

Thank you, dso a digital download would, if its there, show parents names

[rosie99]

It would give exactly the same information as a paper certificate bought from the GRO

[Tickettyboo]

I usually take the option of a digital download on the basis that its the cheapest way of getting the full info of the registration and its also the only 'instant' result - as soon as you pay you get the link to download it.
If, as sometimes happens, the scan has been misaligned, you can see that immediately and report it (though the refund is not instant it will be made in a couple of weeks)

So if I don't get what I want , then I report it and go for the next cheapest option of a .pdf

The certificate at £12.50 comes on a posh piece of paper which I don't want/need.  I want the record and the info it contains. I really can't see the point of paying an extra £9.50 for a piece of paper that will have the same info on it.

Boo
 

[AntonyMMM]

The main difference is that the digital downloads won't show any marginal notes present on the register - pdf and paper certificates will.

Most entries don't have them, but if they do they are incredibly  important.

[rosie99]

Thank you for that added piece of information AntonyMMM.  We will have to look for clues that there may be extra bits when we get the digital copy then