Genealogy Chat

Someone has mentioned on one of the threads I posted on recently that you can order death certs without an exact date. Apologies to whoever it was, can't locate the post!
Can someone please tell me if this is correct before I start trying to order a cert?
Many thanks.
Jan

You can order death certs with just the usual GRO refs. Its birth certs under 50 years old you need the exact date

Andy

Thanks Andrew. Lucky for me this cropped up as I haven't been ordering death certs assuming I can't! Silly me, but at least a new source of reaearch has now opened up.
Thanks again.
Jan

That was ME Jan on the Tory MP thread look up .

I have got several death certs with just the GRO refs that were under 50 years old.

Its birth certs that are restricted although I have seen you can order these too by not quoting the GRO ref and giving an approx year and parents names which, to me, makes nonsense of data protection/identity fraud ,They cost a little more but do save buying the wrong cert .

Hi Shirley! Glad you saw this as your comment has helped me a lot.

That seems very strange about ordering without a ref. doesn't it. Bit of a loophole there. Do you happen to know the rules re. marriages? Might as well pick your brains while you're here!

Goodness, just shows you can still learn even after doing this for a while!

Jan

Marriages are fine too !

Thanks Shirley. Must start engaging my brain a bit more.
jan

Certs can be ordered without giving the full info but they cost exactly the same.

This was the reason the the previous reference checking was stopped as there is no authority within the present legislation to charge more than the standard fee, therefore they could not justify extra work that reference checking involved for no additional remuneration.

However, the GRO and indeed any local Register Office id bound by law to issue a cert provided that sufficient info is given to identify the appropriate event.

This is the relevant piece of info from the GRO:-

"If you do not have the GRO index reference you may still apply online for any event which took place on or after 1st September 1837 to 6 months from the current date (for marriages this period is extended to 18 months). A 3 year search for the index reference will be carried out. You must supply the exact date of event if you have it. If you don't have the exact date enter 01/01/YEAR and we will search the specified year and one year either side"

Incidentally, if they can't find the event from the info you provided, you now get a full refund.

Thanks IPG, that's very useful info. Please leave as I am bookmarking this.
Jan

nudge to keep

Yes me too --- posting on to my threads --preferred to bookmarking

nudge to keep

nudge

This subject has come up last night on a adoption thread so i checked my take on the 50 year rule for births and here is what i found all from the GRO

from their web site

If you do not have the GRO index reference you may still apply online for any event which took place on or after 1st July 1837 to 6 months from the current date (for marriages this period is extended to 18 months). A 3 year search for the index reference will be carried out. You must supply the exact date of event if you have it. If you don't have the exact date enter 01/01/YEAR and we will search the specified year and one year either side.( Is this the loophole ) because it goes on to say on the next paragraph

Again, you will be prompted to supply further details for more recent births and deaths as you complete the online application form. If you are unable to complete the mandatory fields then you will not be able to apply online

below is the application form,

Particulars of the person whose certificate is required
Below is an England and Wales Birth Certificate Application Form where full information is required.

without GRO info
Required fields will be followed by the * character


Year birth was registered
Surname at birth *
Forename(s) *
Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)*
Place of birth*
Father’s/Parent’s surname *
Father’s/Parent’s forename(s) *
Mother's maiden surname *
Mother's surname at time of the birth
Mother's forename(s) *

and with GRO info
Year birth was registered
Surname at birth *
Forename(s) *
Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)*
Place of birth *
Father’s/Parent’s surname *
Father’s/Parent’s forename(s) *
Mother's maiden surname *
Mother's surname at time of the birth
Mother's forename(s) *


Roy

That was the gist of what I said in February.....!

In the case of certs less than 50 year where you are asked to provide additional information, if you don't have this you can still apply for the cert by post, giving as much information as you do have and the reason why you require the cert.

IGP, I have added the extra info to give the full info and clarify the situation with regard to the GRO for online applications

Roy