Community directory

How can I get a copy certificate?

Please note that the services listed on this page are for births, marriages and deaths that took place in Hertfordshire, UK, since 1st July 1837 only.

(Note that we do not hold records for the London Borough of Barnet).

Where do I get a copy certificate from?

You can get a copy certificate of a birth, death, marriage or partnership from the Register Office in Hertfordshire local to where the registration of the birth, death, marriage or partnership took place.

Applications may be made in any of the following ways :

• Online, from one of the links to the right, above. This method uses secure online card payment.
  Please ensure that you are able to supply all of the required information, as mentioned below.
• By post. Print one of the forms from the link to the right, then post the completed form, with your payment (details below), to the relevant Register Office.
• In person at the relevant Register Office.

What information do I need?

You must know the date and place, in Hertfordshire, where the birth, death or marriage occurred, and the name(s) of the person(s) involved.

It is not possible to supply a Copy Certificate where insufficient information has been given.

You may find it more helpful to contact the district office by telephone first to make sure you have the right district, and to establish whether the record is indeed held by the office - records pertaining to recent events may be still being held by the Church where the event took place, for instance.

There is a charge for the certified copy (see below).

What if I do not have all the correct information?

If you only have the GRO reference number, you must apply to the General Register Office at PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2JD (0845 603 7788) - see their external website link to the right, above.

Alternatively, you can contact the Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies Library (HALS) - see their website link to the right, above or visit any Hertfordshire Public Library and see the indexes free of charge on ancestry.com

What do I do to get a copy certificate of a birth, death or marriage before 1837?

Events recorded before 1 July 1837 may have been recorded in Church Baptismal, Marriage and Burial registers that may be in the custody of the local archivist. The Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies Library (HALS) will be able to advise you (see link to the right, above).

How long will it take?

This is a Priority Service. Your copy certificate will be sent out within one working day of receipt of your application.
However, we cannot guarantee this priority service if the information we receive is inaccurate or insufficient.

What will I have to pay?

Standard Certificate of Birth, Death or Marriage	Cost
From a deposited register held by the Superintendent Registrar : These certificates may be ordered on-line.	£10.00
From the current register of the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages : Please note it is not possible to order these certificates on-line. However, these can be purchased by personal or postal application	£3.50

General Search	Cost
General search in Indexes (please ask for details) :	£18.00

Prices are inclusive of postage and packaging.

NOTE: We have discontinued the availability of the "Short Certificate of Birth" for on-line ordering. This type of certificate can be purchased by personal or postal application. The "Standard Certificate of Birth" is now the only type of Birth Certificate available for ordering on-line.