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My last order was estimated for despatch 12th November. Still haven't received it. Rang on Wednesday, was told they were posting out orders due for despatch 11th Nov then. Apparently the BBC prog "Who do you think you are?" has caused a b-i-g increase in orders. But from placing an order on 7th Nov and still not having received it today (Friday 19th) seems a very long wait). Anyone else still waiting? Barbara

Yes, and I'm getting VERY annoyed ! A week over due now! They have had such a HUGE demand for certs since that stupid programme went out on BBC2 that they can't cope. They work a 24 hour day M - S and open 12 hours on Sundays ! Haven't got the room for any more staff to be able to cope ... so each day they get further and further bogged down. 28,000 requests last week. I think they will suspend the service soon, until the backlog clears. Elaine :-)

Mine obviously aren't going to arrive on time then!! I ordered, on the 8th, the despatch date was given as 24th Nov!! Which is over 2 weeks!! I hardly ever use the GRO now, and this is why. I generally use the local RO's to the event, and usually get them by return of post - next day! Debbie

Ooops, Slight apology to GRO. Misread the printout, I ordered on the 15th - not the 8th. Anyway, it's still too long! And they aren't going to arrive on the 24th, I can see that! If they have such a backlog, why are they giving unrealstic despatch dates? If it's gonna take 3 weeks, say so, and at least we'll know and not keep phoning them up. That must get them down as much as us! Debbie

I've never tried ordering from Registry Offices. What does it cost? Do you need an application form or can you just write a letter and send a cheque? Barbara

Same here, a few weeks ago they were sent out within the 4 days, I bet if the GRO could get hold of the BBC there would be B****y murder!! - there again I feel the same way as I live abroad and can't order from Local record offices, I just have to wait!! I also made a stupid mistake as I wanted to order two birth certs! I ordered one then went to check to order the other one and can't find a record of it!! (told you I was stupid!!) Now I have to wait for the first one to arrive before ordering the 2nd one - you can imagine how long that is going to take!!! IF ANYONE KNOWS PEOPLE IN THE GRO, LET THEM KNOW WE FEEL FOR THEM AND KNOW ITS NOT THERE FAULT, IT IS THE BBC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AAAARRGGGGGHHHH

i ordered wednesday over phone to kent county council.my certificate arrived this morningin the past i,ve ordered from hull yorks who are very helpful and you could order by phone also all certificates usually come back return post lancs rochdale you have to write givind details but again return of post reply cheshire and lancaster.all helpful.ALL ADDRESSES ARE ON UK BDM WEBSITE.all certs £7-£7.50

I order my certificates yesterday and the website still says six days. I wondered how long I will have to wait for mine. Nicky

Looking at all your replies, I've been quite lucky then. Ordered 4 certs last week with a despatch date on Nov 15th. Got 2 of them this morning, 2 still missing, so not bad all things considered Lou

Hi Barbara, Depends a lot on the individual RO's. 2 of the ones I use the most, have online ordering and paying. Still cost £7 per cert plus postage. Most charge 28p per batch, (nor per cert) but HALS in Hertford charges £1!! Still it's worth it to get them quickly. Debbie

Thanks to Deborah and Beverley re sending for certificates via ROs. Do either of you know if Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Birmingham have ordering online as these are the areas my lot all hail from, and I shall certainly be looking to other sources if problem with GRO persists. Barbara

dispatch date 11 Nov Money taken 8 nov date on cert 13 nov finallt rec'd 17th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shelli p.s. and it's the right one !!!!!!! ther was another similar thread on tips about this, and not only is the wait longer for certs but i read somewhere that it is now a madhouse at FRC and LMA in London. The BBC have a lot to answer for, lets just hope it's a fad !!!!

For those of you who placed an order .. despatch date 12th ...Keep eye on Postman today ...MINE have arrived this morning !!! YIPPEE !! Elaine :-)

Hi Commiserations to everyone still waiting; my certificate should have been despatched on 12th, still no sign. I was told on Tuesday it would have been sent that day or the day before, and on Friday I was told the same. As other people have said, it's the BBC programme that's done it. I really felt for the poor bloke I spoke to, as he was grateful I wasn't rude to him, and he said he'd had a lot of abusive people ringing up. Like Tracie said, it's not their fault; personally, if someone had actually messed up and it was something urgent or important, I'd be more likely to feel annoyed, but for me, it's a hobby so I can wait, however much I'm champing at the bit, and they're just snowed under, so I wouldn't give them grief. Hopefully the demand will get more manageable after the programme finishes... Hope all our certies arrive soon Lysianne

I ordered mine on the 4 november and my despatch date is 23 november, so reading some of these threads they must not be doing them in order!!!! Christine

YES BARBARA I AM STILL WAITING FOR A CERTIFICATE FRO GRO. IT SHOULD HAVE BEN DESPATCHED ON THE 16TH NOVEMBER, I ORDERED IT A WEEK EARLIER AND USUALLY THEY ARE PRETTY QUICK. I MUST ADMIT I WAS STARTING TO GET A BIT WORRIED BUT IF IT'S A GENERAL THING I WILL WAIT A BIT LONGER. DIANE

Hi everyone My 3 certs (estimated despatch date 12th Nov) arrived today -posted yesterday (19th). So am feeling a bit better now - although the one I was hoping would break down a brick wall doesn't. Aint it always the way?! Barbara

Watch this space GC friends for I have ordered 4 certs today and the despatch date says 30th November. they did have a pre warning dated 15th Nov that due to demand certs will take 6 working days to despatch from date of order. I'll come back to the thread on the 1st december to let you know if I have my precious darlings : )) Meanwhile a speedy delivery to you ALL & much happiness Debi

I don't know why I should be so lucky but all certs I've ordered in the last few weeks have been efficiently dealt with one only 2 days later that stated. There now I've gone and done it, broke my lucky run. Seriously they have one hell of a job on with limited resources bet they don't put the wages up with all the extra revenue they must be getting!!

My most recent order was supposed to be despatched from GRO on 16/11 it turned up today 24/11 so I suppose a week late isn't too bad.