Certified Copies Of Birth/death Certs?

[Kromovaracun]

I need certified copies of a bunch of documents for an application I am making.

In the past I have used the post office for this (for passport etc) - but I notice on their form for document certification, it states that the service cannot be used for birth/marriage/death certificates "due to crown copyright regulations":

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/dam/jcr:1ba36119-abee-41e5-8e20-c0e3a9dad340/document-certification-service.pdf

Does this mean that it is not possible to certify a photocopy of a birth/death certificate in general, or simply that it is not possible through the post office? Is it possible to get a copy certified by a notary or is the only way to order duplicates from GRO?

[woofgang]

not possible through the post office. You can get them through this website https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

[EDDIE51]

I had to do this and got the local library to do it. A qualified librarian can do the certification.

[woofgang]

are you saying they certified a copy of a birth death or marriage cert eddie?

[bednobs]

it will depend on the organisation that is asking for the certified copies as to which certification they will accept. In my last job we needed certified copies of birth/marriage certificates for the claims we were dealing with and in all honesty, we didn't really care who certified them, or even look all that closely at them!

[Kromovaracun]

woofgang

I already have the original birth cert (it's my mothers). But we'd rather not send the original itself in the application, and getting a certified photocopy would, if possible, be quicker than ordering it. Of course, if there's no other alternative, I will just have to order a duplicate and wait.

[NoMercy]

Woofgang's is the best suggestion. I had to get a copy of my birth certificate to apply for my marriage licence. Then my dozy mother found the original after I'd parted with £23.

[anotheoldgit]

At one time one could just photocopy the said certificate and everyone accepted them, why the change these days, are there more fraudsters around these days to what there once was?

[Kromovaracun]

Fair enough. Guess I'll just have to order one through GRO.

Thanks all.

[naomi24]

ag, when was that? I can't remember photocopies ever being acceptable.

[naomi24]

^sorry, 'aog'.

[jno]

You don’t have to wait long if you pay the extra, but it depends how much of a rush you’re in.

[anotheoldgit]

naomi24

I was requied to send a copy of my marriage certificate only a few years ago, and I scanned ity on my computer and printed it out, no problems whatsoever.

I also know of female family members who have got married and needed to change their surnames on various documents and that also wasn't much trouble.

I mean how many certified copies, does one need these days?

Property Deeds, Driving Licence, Vehicle Ownership ie Log Book, Electoral Register, Pensions, National Insurance, Bank Accounts Etc Etc.

[bednobs]

it really depends on the organisation who is asking, and what you are doing it for. If for example you are making a claim for money from a public body, they may require more proof than other organisations

[jackthehat]

See if a local Solicitor (Notary) can help you.

[naomi24]

aog, I think it depends upon who wants to see certificates. In my experience for anything 'legal' the originals are required - and returned to you - so you don't need many copies.

[Buenchico]

Solicitors can certify copies of documents. There's a standard flat fee for the service, which hasn't changed for many years, so it's now amazingly cheap (in comparison to what solicitors charge for most other services). That fee is just £5 and, whenever I've needed a document certified by a solicitor, I've never needed to make an appointment. (I've simply spoken to their receptionist, who has summoned a solicitor to do the job immediately).