Genealogy Chat

Just recieved a birth cert that i have waited over 2 weeks for and it arrived in a small envelope folded, what goon folds Certificates, they have really pushed it this time, have emailed them for either a refund or credit note, dont they relise certificates need to be sent in an A4 envelope, If they are over worked because of a bloody TV show, Get more staff, its called expansinon. Hope anyone that is waiting does get this appaling service. thanks

This is probably in part due to the recent increased postal charges for larger envelopes. I would be miffed at a folded copy too. Gwyn

Part of my order of 3 came this week in an A4 and for some reason was told I would have to wait another week for the remaining certificate, defeating the idea of rising postal costs. Local Register Offices have always folded cetificates into A5 or less, and sent second class ,unless you send a SAE. The fold has never really bothered me because A4 envelopes are often damaged and crumpled by the postmen in wet weather trying to get them through the letterbox. I've had to occasionally put the iron on them to straighten them out!

If you'd had the originals, handed down through generations, they'd probably be in a far worse state than just being folded! Reg

Had one delivered yesterday in A4 envelope, looked like postie had screwed it up in a ball and danced on it - took 20 mins to iron out the creases, would far rather have them in small (DL) envelopes and iron out two creases!! regards Looby

I am compiling information for a book, it is essential that documents are in the best possible condition, would you fold photographs ?? answer no same with certificates,

Hi, although i can see why you'd be miffed with the folding of cert.its not the same as photos. If you require them for a book could you not state when ordering the certs,that you wish them not to be folded ? Even then you risk the postie crunching them up. Maybe by offering a service where by the GRO use small tubes this will solve the problem.Although it will mean , more postage cost and poss trip to main post office when your not in to receive your mail.This is a way that lage photos and transcripts are often sent. Tina

one piece of paper, one envelope, = £7.00 now think about a minumum service you would expect, I would quite happlier do the job as a private enterprise a lot cheaper with a minimum standard, having previously worked as a Senior Civil Service member of staff for many years, We would work within guide links and to charters, what it basically comes down to is a member of staff that cant be bothered because they have run out of envelopes because of this TV show, Goverment departments need to reajust stationary budgets to compensate this. Gonna go and do some research now

I read that if you order by post, the cert is usually dispatched in a folded letter envelope as it allows for easier processing. The address fits into a window on these envelopes and saves them hand writing. If you order online, the cert is usually in an A4 envelope as the address label is printed on an A4 piece of paper, and again, fits into the window on these envelopes. If you want to order by post and have an A4 envelope, you must specify this, or send your own. I always order online as it's easier for me and have never had anything but an A4 envelope.

Hi Patricia As an ex civil servant, you should be only too aware that the person actually processing and posting your order is probably a lowly AA on not a lot more than a minimum wage who really doesn't care whether your cert is folded or not - they just have to get through their in tray every day. regards Looby ex civil servant

My sister went to Islington office and ordered a certificate last Tuesday and she received it this Tuesday she ordered another on Line the same day but has not yet received that one. Margaret

My 2 certificates I ordered online have arrived today in 2 seperateA4 envelopes, I did expect the envelopes to be hard backed to stop creasing, I warned my postie the other day that I had a couple due and could he take care not to crease them by bending to fit through letter box, he was good enough to look out for the envelopes, but carrying a bunch of mail he has creased the top endge of them both. Gillie.

Looby Loo, you took the words right out of my mouth. Ann Glos another ex civil servant.

I wondered what a stationary budget was? I thought all budgets had to be flexible.................... Reg

Didnt we have a thread about this recently? Someone pasted the reply they had from the GRO regarding this matter. I must say it was a clear answer and explained why they cannot send certs in an A4 IF - IF - you use the automated on-line service. It doesnt particularly bother me, I have to say, as none of the certs we get from any source are the originals. OC

Before the wonderful asset of online ordering, some of us actually travelled to the GRO or the local office and picked them up ourselves. They weren't folded or creased. Jay

I agree with OC - it has come up before and no, it doesn't bother me too much either that certs come folded. As far as dealing with upsurges in requests, in fairness to the GRO after the first series of Who do you think, they DID sit up and take notice, their process was streamlined and they took on a considerable number of additional staff - unfortunately, you can't just pop down to the local job centre and take on anyone who happents to be hanging about. Then there is training and familiarisation as well and this takes time. I notice on the website there is a warning about possible delays as a result of the current tv series.

Even if you ask the postman nicely to be careful when putting certs through your letterbox, we have no control of the treatment they are getting in transit. When you consider what mail goes through in a sorting office.

And of course it's not just training - it's all the extra photocopying equipment etc they need - one photocopier can only do X amount of copies in 24 hours. It IS annoying if you particularly do NOT want folds and creases, but I seem to remember that the answer referred to above said that if you order by post, you can specify an A4 envelope with stiffened card. Your order will be dealt with by hand, which may mean some delay. I look forward to the day, 2008, isn't it? when we can download the certificates, for £3.50! OC

is that right we will be able to download our own certs, are we getting technology in this country, thought all our goverment money was spent on war, Well i for one will get the flags out on that day, till then i will pesonally specify what i want, as for extra delay 2 weeks, people dont expect normal service,