Genealogy Chat

Can anyone tell me where to order certificates please. I have ordered through GRO online before, but they take so long. Most of my ancestors are in the Hackney district so do I order through the local (Hackney) registry office or does it have to be GRO? There has been lots about this on the boards before but I can't remember now. Thank you in anticipation, Viv. P.S How much are they?

Philip, Thank you. Typed it in and got what I needed. I will be contacting them next week. Regards, Viv.

think it's more expensive than ordering online tho. Val

Val,, I always get mine from the relevent register office,,,I send a cheque for £7-00 for each cert and a stamped addressed envelope and in most cases,,i get it back within 4 days, Address for register offices are in GENUKI. Are the certificates offered at a lower price online?

When ordered from GRO the certificates are £7.00 each. Regards Viv.

Claire, I was going to phone them but should I write? Viv.

Thought certificates offline were more in the region of £11, and varied a little between registry offices. We have ordered them from a register office by phoning and pay by credit/debit card, quicker than writing. Val

Not sure what to think now, can anyone else shed some light on prices please? Viv.

viv, i have just ordered one on line,it costs £7, this is the first one i have ordered!! chris. ps. it's a 10 day wait before they are sent out tho,cos they are so busy.

Hi Although I am very impatient when ordering certificates I do tend to order via the GRO and wait extremely patiently for a few weeks (my hubbie isn't agreeing that I can be patient!). In my experience the ones I have ordered from registry offices arrive very quickly but are either typed up or hand written by the registrar. The ones I have had from the GRO have had the original register entry photocopied onto the certificate so I am able to see myself what was entered and don't run the risk of the registrar not being able to read the handwriting and transcribing the entry incorrectly. Sam x

There is no standard for registration offices. Some give transcriptions, others give copies of originals (which they hold) Some London offices are not co-operating with family historians (which is probably not legal). Always remember that many records exist at local level which are not on GRO. Also the GRO certs are often copies of transcriptions from the originals. You can tell them because the handwriting is all the same. The originals (esp. marriage certs) have the signatures of your ancestors. Ask your local office what they supply first. (sorry to those who have heard me say all this before but it is basic and important) Bob

Bob, do you have any idea which London offices are not dealing with family historians? I may have to contact Islington and Camden as well as Hackney in the near future. Viv.