United Kingdom - Apply for Copy of Marriage Certificate

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Procedure

The General Register Office (GRO) based in Southport, Merseyside, holds records for all births, deaths, and marriages that have been registered in England and Wales since 1837. UK Official Records Contact Details

Order by Online:

1. One can order marriage certificates online from 1837 onwards using the General Register Office index reference.
2. If you do not have the reference, you can still order certificates as long as you can give enough information to identify the marriage.
3. You can find out more about using the General Register Office index reference by reading the 'Using the General Register Office to research family history article - link below.
4. Using the General Register Office to research family history link
5. Order certificates online

Order by Telephone

1. One can order marriage certificates by telephone from the General Register Office or you can contact the local register office where the event took place.
2. Call +44 (0) 300 123 1837, Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, or Saturday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
3. The General Register Office accepts Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Visa Debit or Maestro.

Order by Post

1. Download and complete the marriage certificate applications form. Please read the accompanying guidance notes before you complete your application form.
2. Send the completed form, with the correct payment by cheque or postal order, to General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2JD.
3. Make cheques or postal orders payable to 'IPS' (Identity and Passport Service).
4. Alternatively, you can get a form by sending an email to [email protected] confirming the number and type of application forms required.
5. For postal applications Payment can be made either by credit/debit card, cheque, postal order, or international banker’s draft payable to ‘Her Majesty’s Passport Office’.
6. Payments made by international banker’s draft should be in sterling. The draft must bear the name and address of a clearing bank within the UK.
7. Please do not send cash
8. Where you wish to use the priority service please clearly mark your envelope ‘priority’
9. A stamped self-addressed envelope is not required

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Required Documents

• Identity Card (ID Card)
• Residential Proof

Office Locations & Contacts

UK Official Records4200 Waterside Centre,
Solihull Parkway Birmingham
Business Park,
Birmingham B37 7YN
United Kingdom
From UK Telephone: 0121 247 4304
From Outside UK Telephone: 0044 121 247 4304
From UK Fax: 0121 247 4304
From Outside UK Fax: 0044 121 247 4304
Email:[email protected]
UK Official Records Contact Details

Eligibility

• Either married couples or children of the couple are eligible to apply.

Fees

Standard Service

• All standard service certificates, including each additional copy, cost 9.25.

Priority Service

• All priority service certificates, including each additional copy, cost 23.40.

Validity

• A marriage certificate is valid Forever unless both parties agree to a legal separation (divorce)

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

Standard Service

• The certificate is sent within four working days if you supply the certificate index reference. Without the reference, it will be sent within 15 working days.

Priority Service

• If you order by 4.00 pm on a working day, your certificate is sent the next working day by First Class post. Special Delivery options are only available on telephone orders.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Instructions

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e.g. The state office holds birth records since January 1908.

Required Information

• Full names of bride and groom
• Date of marriage
• Place of marriage
• Name and occupation of bride and grooms fathers
• Contact address
• Telephone Number

Need for the Document

• If you need to obtain your marriage certificate or if you would like to have an additional copy of your marriage certificate you can obtain one from the General Register Office (GRO).

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

• A Marriage certificate can typically be used as proof of marriage and for another legal purpose.

External Links

Directgov - Information you need to order a birth, death or marriage certificate
Directgov - Order birth, marriage and death certificates
Order and pay for Civil Register Document

Others

More information which might help people.