Genealogy Chat

What I like about GRO is that regardless of where you live, the GBP 7 is the same and you don't get charged extra for postage. Most sites want you to get a reply thingie from your post office if you live abroad. Pam

I agree with what Margaret said - if I am sending for a certificate for a birth or a death registration, then I always apply to the register office, from which the cheque for £7 is returned if the registration cannot be found. In my experience, superintendent registrars have been extremely helpful and ''gone the extra'' mile for me. And nine times out of ten, the certificate has been sent to me by return of post. :-) Joy

Thanks for the tip, I might try that next time. The GRO only give you a partial refund if they can't find the one you're looking for, and certainly won't go out of their way to do so if the details don't exactly match those given.

The other sites are just out to make a profit because of the popularity of genealogy at the moment. It's just like those folks on Ebay who are charging £1.50 to send you a copy of the Census page with your rellies on.

JEEPERS! My dad had 18 brothers and sisters lol...I better re-mortgage the house!

hi i sent for a birth cert ,[not from gro] it was another site and they charged me £22.22and i had to wait over 3 weeks for it to arrive but then one of you kind people told me that i should have gone to gro which i now have i'm waiting for 1 marriage and 4 death certsto arrive [i cant wait ] hazel.

i sent for two certs april 11 origin from scots and still not reveived them but i emailed them on 3rd may and received information on death and birth straight away , does that mean i wont receive the certs in post

Nudge Nudge

Thanks for this Lunar Just what I was after Gypsyjoe

I too was shocked at the prices some sites charge. Luckily I've only ever used the GRO and have never bothered with the others. Bristol Record Office was very good too and only charged the minimum fee, even when I didn't have an exact year for my Grandma's Birth...this was when I first started my family tree and didn't know about the GRO. Hampshire Records Office excelled them selves when I wanted a copy of my Gt Grandfathers Birth Record...pre 1837. They sent me a copy of his Baptism Record, plus 2 of his older siblings AND a copy of the Marriage record of their parents...all for £20. This included them having to do a search too..damn good value for money I reckon!

I have read on other threads that some of the London registry offices won't do certificate requests. Does anyone else have experince of this. So far I have been lucky with the GRO, but a couple of odd entries which I think have been transcribed incorrectly into the main register make me think I should go to the 'horse's mouth' Thanks kevin

Nudging for Eric

A rather late contribution, but I just ordered my first marriage certificate, direct from the local register office. They took payment by card over the phone and said they would put the certificate in the post the same day. V helpful indeed.

And when your certificate comes it is crumpled bent in half and in a right state ! I shouted after the postman I've paid £7 for this.( Luckily he didn't hear me) Why cant they put some cardboard behind it. I shall have to get the iron out. The certificates that you can download from the scotland site are £1.20.

Talking about obtaining the cert from the relevant register office. According to a ref. found on the BMD, ie..8b 186, Liverpool, how do i find the relevant register offic?? Kathlyn

i had two certs sent by gro costing 7 pound each and i live in holland,i always oder on line order one from scotland but it was extract and that cost 10 pound,so i think 7 pound is quite good they come from southport in liverpool lol joyce

Wow - thanks I've only just started out so great to know now. Gonna try and get as far as I can until I need the certificates. Can I be thick and ask what the difference's are between having 'no references' & 'references' Sorry still learning here!! Thanks, Cherry

I always use the Register office wherever the BMD's were registered, at a cost of only £7.00 for a full Birth/Marriage Certificate. Sometimes you don't even need to pay, they have given me some information without paying!!!

nudge

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