Genealogy Chat

Evening everyone,

thanks for all the replies. I think getting a certificate from GRO £7.00 is my best option.

Heather x

I live in France and recently had to claim my English State Pension. They needed to 'see' my marriage certificate, either the original or a certified copy.. I went to a local Notaire (solicitor) with the original. They photocopied it, signed it as a true copy, put their official stamp on it - and all for free! Might be worth the ferry fare!!

Jackdaws

It may be cheaper to buy another cert. from gro or local registrar.
Edit
My wife thinks that a certified copy means just that,not a photostat.

When I worked in a Bank in the '70's we used to certify copies of documents if requested. I don't think we charged in those days, but that might have changed.

In some case originals are required, for example we wouldn't accept copies of Probate or Letters of Administration

I expect that this does not apply to you, but just to add a different slant to this thread in case it may help someone.

I was married abroad, but registered the marriage in this country. I received a certified copy of our marriage from Southport which runs to several pages which includes the original and translation, but the original is stored there.

I wonder if in the future, if anyone cares, what someone would receive if they sent for a copy?

I would never send my originals of anything as companies & bureaucracy have a tendency to lose them!

A certified copy in Aus, & I'm pretty sure in the UK, is a photocopy signed by an accepted person & stating that they know it is a true copy of the original.

I've tried googling the UK requirements & it seems you need a solicitor which is very restricting. In Aus any JP or Clerk of Courts or even a police officer can sign it. (& probably others)

Ozi.

Update - just found this. It was from someone needing a certified copy of a deed poll:

"They sent a list of officials who are able to certify the copy:
- UK lawyer
- Bank official
- Authorised financial intermediary
- Mortgage broker
- Accountant
- Commisioner of oaths
- Councillor: Local or County
- Justice of the Peace, Magistrate, or Judge
- Commisioned Officer of the Armed Services (Active)
- Police officer"

They don't have to know you particularly, just see the original document & the copy. In Aus JPs are listed in the business section of our phone directories.



Here's another google find. This was posted April 2008:

Q: "I’d heard that it is possible for solicitors to do this service [certified copies] for about £2. However when I contacted three local solicitors (all in London) for quotes they all gave me a price of £70-£80 for certifying two A4 copies. Anyone know where those £2 solicitors are? Not in London it would seem."

A: "Instead of paying these rip-off prices I found out about the Post Office Identity Checking Service. For a fee of £7 they will check up to three different documents and certify them.

Not all Post Offices offer this service so I checked online and went to one that did. When I got to the counter and asked for the service it seemed obvious that they don’t provide it very often. The guy behind the counter had to study the application form carefully before he worked out what to do."

Thanks for replying Lindsey

I'm at work and have just asked the question one of my colleagues had the same think when he got wed and his new wife changed her policies and bank accounts, they got a certified copy done by a solicitor and it cost £30!

I know the GP charges £20 to sign passport forms so I imagine it will cost about that.

Ta

While the postal strike is on I wouldnt risk sending it.
Ask them if they will accept a photo copy signed by your doctor or someone like that ?

Morning,
I have changed my name and want to change the details on my life insurance, but the company have asked me to send the original certificate or a certified copy. What is a certified copy? How safe is it to send original certs by post?

Thanks
Heather