Frequently Asked Questions about Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates UK

In most cases, yes. This depends on what information is missing and when the event took place. Events in the past 50 years generally require more information to be provided by law. However, in most cases we can use our access to official records of information to fill in the blanks and correct any errors.

We can, but it may take longer because of the complexities of the UK archive system.

Official certificates are classed as public records according to UK legislation. That means anyone can request a copy of a certificate for someone else. However, for births and adoptions in the last 50 years you do need to provide full details like date of birth and parents’ names to prevent identity fraud.

UK Certificates provide official long-form birth certificates, which can be used for all relevant legal purposes – including passport and visa applications.

The birth certificate copy will include the following information:

• District, sub-district and county of registration
• The person’s full name
• Date of birth
• Location of birth
• Full name of the mother, including maiden name and other past names
• The signature, residence and description of the informant – usually the mother
• Father’s full name and occupation – if named
• The date the birth was registered
• The date the certificate was produced
• The signature of the registrar

Birth certificates do not usually include the time of birth, with twin births as a typical exception. We are unable to provide the time of birth if it hasn’t been recorded.

In England and Wales, birth certificates are registered from July 1st 1837, while Scottish and Northern Irish registrations date back to 1855 and 1864 respectively.

UK Certificates provide official long-form adoption certificates, which can be used for all relevant legal purposes – including passport and visa applications.

The adoption certificate copy will include the following information:

• District, sub-district and county of registration
• The person’s full adopted name
• Date of birth
• Full name and address of the adoptive mother and father
• Occupation of adoptive parents – in some cases
• The date of the adoption order and the court at which it was administered
• The date the entry was registers
• The date the certificate was produced
• The signature of the appointed officer

Adoption certificates replace birth certificates for people who have been adopted. In most cases, where proof of identity is required, an adoption certificate is the correct document. If details of your natural birth are required, then a birth certificate is needed. However, this can only be supplied with details of a person’s original birth name.

In England and Wales, adoption certificates are registered from January 1st 1927, while Scottish and Northern Irish registrations date back to 1930 and 1931 respectively.

The marriage certificate copy will include the following information:

• District, sub-district and county of registration
• The groom’s full name and age
• The bride’s full maiden name and age
• The date and location of marriage
• The occupation of the bride and groom
• Their residence at the time of marriage
• The father’s full name and occupation for the bride and groom
• The denomination of the ceremony
• The name and signature of both witnesses
• The name of the registrar and the official conducting the ceremony
• The date the certificate was produced

In England and Wales, marriage certificates are registered from July 1st 1837, while Scottish and Northern Irish registrations date back to 1855 and 1864 respectively.

The death certificate copy will include the following information:

• District, sub-district and county of registration
• The full name of the deceased – including maiden names where applicable
• Their sex
• The date and location of death
• The informant’s full name, address and relationship to the deceased
• Cause of death
• The coroner’s full name
• The date of registration
• The registrar’s full name
• The date the certificate was produced

In England and Wales, death certificates are registered from July 1st 1837, while Scottish and Northern Irish registrations date back to 1855 and 1864 respectively.