Replacement Birth certificates

renowen

I need to get copies of my 2 youngest children's full birth certificate - I have short versions and need long ones for passport application but for some reason don't seem to have long versions .... I don't know if I have lost them or never had them in first place!! (Bad mother I know)

I know if I send of for them via GOV website it is about 10 pounds each but can anyone tell me if it is cheaper to go to the registry office direct? Also if I was never given one in first place does that make a difference?

Thanks So cross with myself that I can't find them/don't have them but searched high and low

Gels

I managed to get my first passport with a short version birth certificate (6 years ago) and they never questioned it. My parents have since got me a full one from the local registry office and it was £10. Apparently, they were never offered a full version one when I was born (1970s). I think you have to show ID to get one at the registry office (in my parents case, they do family tree research around the country and have some sort of pass to reflect this).

renowen

Thanks for the reply I will call office and ask about ID tomorrow

Kt13

It doesn't make much difference. It's the same record that is held at the General Records Office.

I have always ordered them direct from the G.R.O. Never had any issues, costs the same. (well cheaper when you consider parking and fuel). Saves driving to the office, getting kids out the car, and its the same certificate.

Whatever is easier for you!. One thing though, when I obtained a passport last month for my son, I had to provide his birth certificate, my birth certificate, and my mothers birth certificate.

Good luck anyway.

hawk30

Things may have been different when you registered your children, but when I recently registered my daughter you got the short version for free, but had to pay for a long version. So it could be that you never had the long version in the first place.

dizziblonde

Gels wrote: »

I managed to get my first passport with a short version birth certificate (6 years ago) and they never questioned it. My parents have since got me a full one from the local registry office and it was £10. Apparently, they were never offered a full version one when I was born (1970s). I think you have to show ID to get one at the registry office (in my parents case, they do family tree research around the country and have some sort of pass to reflect this).

I have only got a short format one - when my mum fled DV with my dad my original documents got left behind and she could only afford a short replacement certificate. The one time it's caused issues was when we went to give notice to get married - there's a cut-off point based on date of birth after which they won't accept the short certificates for giving notice. Had a heart in mouth moment until we worked out I was the right side of the cutoff so it was OK.

It's on my list of things to get organised and done when I get a chance.

You only get the short one for free round here when you register births anyway - but they do make a point of telling you about the only thing it's acceptable for is sending off to get your child benefit claim sorted out!

Gels

dizziblonde wrote: »

You only get the short one for free round here when you register births anyway - but they do make a point of telling you about the only thing it's acceptable for is sending off to get your child benefit claim sorted out!

Blimey, maybe I got lucky with the passport then! I recall looking through the passport application at the time and not seeing anything about short/full birth certificate rules, but also in my case, I couldn't fill in the boxes for parent's passport numbers as they have never had passports. I did pay £15 per passport to our GP to certify who we were, not sure if that would make a difference or not as to the 'officialness' of the person certifying - can't think why it should though.

Our (small town) used to register births one afternoon a week in the assembly rooms if you didn't want to trek into town to the registry office 8 miles away, so reckon that is why a full one wasn't offered.

My OH, born in the next town, but in a different county, was born the same year as me and has always had short and full versions of his birth certificate.