Skip to main content
Guidance

How to order and pay for civil registration records

This guide explains what civil registration records you can order from the General Register Office, and how to order and pay for them.

Updates to this page

From:
HM Passport Office
Published:
10 September 2015
Last updated:
13 September 2025
Show all updates

  1. The General Register Office phone line is no longer open on Saturdays.

  2. Added accessible HTML version.

  3. Updated to reflect change of fees.

  4. Updated to reflect the extension of years available for death records through online view.

  5. Updated with details of the online view service.

  6. Multilingual standard form service withdrawn with effect from this date.

  7. New version of English document uploaded.

  8. Welsh booklet removed. New one to follow soon.

  9. New document to replace the old and reflect new GRO fees.

  10. Leaflet updated.

  11. First published.

Documents

How to order and pay for civil registration records (accessible)

HTML

How to order and pay for civil registration records

PDF, 616 KB, 13 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

You can order civil registration records from the General Register Office (GRO). GRO holds records for all births, deaths and marriages that have been registered in England and Wales from 1837.

This guide tells you:

  • what records are available
  • how much they cost
  • how long it takes to get a civil registration record
  • information about short and full certificates
  • how to use civil registration records overseas
  • information about PDFs
  • how to order and pay

The guide is available in English and Welsh.

You can order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate online or fill in GRO certificate application forms to apply by post.

Sign up for emails or print this page