Genealogy Chat

Hello. Does anyone know if the GRO are very behind at the moment. Been waiting ages for Certs to come. Should have been here by 23rd March. Thanks Pam.

Like you, I ordered mine online on March 9th and was given an estimated date of 23rd March. Still waiting! I ordered another one this morning and have been given April 19th. They're really behind. Says on their site that they should get back to normal after Easter. Lizzie

The latest lot of of cert`s i ordered turned up 2 days ago. (6 days past there dispatch date) I think they are just snowed under.

Hi Pamela, I ordered one on the 4th March with despatch date 20th March am still waiting for it Margaret

orderd mine 3weeks ago and said dispatch date 4th april angie x

Post just been, nothing. Mine was due 22nd, ordered 8th.

Just received mine, can't read name though Margaret

I think GRO shouldn't debit our cards until the despatch date as they have our money a long time before they sent cert's out. Angela

I rang the GRO last Thursday to make an enquiry,this death cert was a tricky one,drowned at sea,after speaking to a very helpful lady,she said it would be posted on Tuesday. Sure enough it arrived this morning. I guess I was one of the lucky ones. Hope you all get your certs soon. trish

Angela That's exactly what I said the other day. If they are snowed under and despatch dates are later, then so be it, even though it's very disappointing. But they shouldn't take our money until the day of despatch - they are running a business in this respect, and we are paying for goods and services. Other companies don't debit your card until the day of despatch. Mandy

Thanks for all replies. Not in post today. One of them I am waiting for should have some really good info on (I hope) so am really excited about receiving it. How sad. Still, its better than ironing!!!!!! Patience is a virtue, so they say. Happy hunting to all. Pam.

2 of mine ordered on the 8th arrived this morning - still waiting for 3 more though! Jayne x

pamela, dont you think it would be nice if for just once we could get someone from the GRO to leave a message on this site explaining the situation? then we might all know whats happening and the reason why there's such a back log. The reason they will surely give is the demand due to the BBC programme, but that cant be the only reason, Im sure. If it is then surely they should take onmore staff on a temporary basis, thats what other bussiness do, thinking of large stores at Xmas time, and eating out places etc. even father Xmas must take on extra staff just before Xmas, or he would never get all his order completed. TED.

ELeanor, what a shame they ignored you, that is a fantastic idea, would cut down on them having to answer telephone queries about how long 'til despatch, so would be good for them too!!!

hi, is there a difference between GRO certs and local office ones? i only ask because i order all mine through the relevant office and always get them within one week, the last one i dealt with was cheshire and they told me that due to new rules anyone who applies for a new passport has to have a full birth cert and its this that is causing a lot of the backlog, hope this helps, derek,

I am still waiting for one from February. They already debited my card too. I hope the wait is worth it, if it is the right one it will open many doors so I am being as patient as I can.

Derek, that is something I didn't think of. My daughter applied for a passport recently and, as you say, had to have a full birth certificate. I ordered it from the local registrar's office and it was here within 2 days. Amazing. Let us all hope the wait is worth it when we receive our certificates. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later too. Pam.

The GRO website is currently dispalying the following message: Service Announcement This is our busiest time of year (January to April) and our service to customers is currently being affected by exceptionally high levels of demand. Although we are working hard to ensure certificates are despatched as soon as possible we expect these problems to continue until after Easter. Maureen

Hello. Thanks again for replies. Still waiting! Never mind. Pam.

Just had email from London Met Archives saying they have medical records of year my ggm died in Friern Barnet Asylum. Will go on to that now while waiting for certificates to arrive!!!! One Cert I am waiting for is ggm (no.2) who married ggf the quarter after first ggm died in Asylum and ggm (no.2) was 7 months pregnant with ggf's child. The plot thickens!!!!! Pam.