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How do you get a passport?

I'm about to apply for a Passport but it asks for birth certificate.

I only have a certified copy which they say isn't acceptable.

Also applying for child's at the same time, which also requires my birth certificate.

What do I do?
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Comments

  • benjus
    benjus Posts: 5,433 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

    Note that when it says "Copy" here it means that the certificate is a copy of the entry for your birth in the register book kept by the government. Technically speaking the register book is the only original version of your birth record. As far as passport applications and other paperwork goes, the birth certificate from here is considered an original, not a copy.
    Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks
    On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon
    And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Birth, marriage and death certificates are all 'certified copies' of what is written in the register.
  • benjus
    benjus Posts: 5,433 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    edited 28 September 2015 at 12:15PM
    Mojisola wrote: »
    Birth, marriage and death certificates are all 'certified copies' of what is written in the register.

    True, but if the OP has a photocopy of one of these that has been certified by a notary/solicitor, it may be acceptable for many things but is not good enough for a passport application.

    OP - what do you actually have? An original certificate from the government, or a photocopy certified by someone?
    Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks
    On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon
    And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning
  • Simple solution then go and get an original one, its not dear
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    benjus wrote: »
    True, but if the OP has a photocopy of one of these that has been certified by a notary/solicitor, it may be acceptable for many things but is not good enough for a passport application.

    If that's what the OP has, that's right, but people get confused over the official certificate saying "Certified copy of an entry of birth" thinking that this means it isn't the real thing.
  • TonyMMM
    TonyMMM Posts: 3,431 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    UKSBD wrote: »
    I only have a certified copy which they say isn't acceptable.

    A "certified copy of an entry of birth", is the normal heading on any birth certificate and it is an original document. Acceptable for a passport application.

    What is not acceptable is a photocopy of a birth certificate, whether it has been "certified as a true copy", by someone or not.
    UKSBD wrote: »
    Also applying for child's at the same time, which also requires my birth certificate.
    What do I do?

    Send the two applications together, with your birth certificate.
  • UKSBD
    UKSBD Posts: 842 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Thanks all,


    On mine (the one I sent of for) it says;


    Certified to be a true copy of an entry in the certified copy of* a register of births....


    it then has
    *if the certificate is given from the original register, the words *certified copy of* are struck out.


    It also says,
    WARNING: A CERTICATE IS NOT EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY.


    Is that good enough for applying for a passport?
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    UKSBD wrote: »
    On mine (the one I sent of for) it says;

    Where did you get it from?

    And, yes, even the official certificates say that they are not evidence of identity.
  • UKSBD
    UKSBD Posts: 842 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Mojisola wrote: »
    Where did you get it from?

    And, yes, even the official certificates say that they are not evidence of identity.



    Pretty sure I got them from the GRO website http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    UKSBD wrote: »
    Pretty sure I got them from the GRO website http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/

    Then you've got an official certificate.
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