Births

How do I obtain a copy of somebody else’s birth certificate?

How do I obtain a copy of somebody else’s Birth Certificate?

He/She was born in Westminster, Paddington or Marylebone

You can obtain a copy from the Westminster Register Office at Westminster Council House, Marylebone Road, London (NW1 5PT). The application for a birth certificate can be made in person or by post

If you apply in person you simply attend the office between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday to Friday. You complete an application form at our reception desk and submit the appropriate fee. If you have provided the correct information you will normally get the certificate within 4 hours of completing the application form. Please note that if you arrive after 12pm then the certifcate will be ready to collect the following day or, if you wish, we can post the certificate to you.

If you apply by post you simply send a brief letter setting out the full name at birth, the date and exact address of birth and the names of the parents including the mother’s maiden name. Fees for a full or standard certificate are £7.00 for each copy, or for the short certificate, £5.50 for each copy. You will need to enclose a cheque or postal order, made payable to “City of Westminster”. The certificate will be sent out within 3 working days of us receiving your application.  Please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope with your application.

Address your letter to: Superintendent Registrar, Westminster Council House, 97-113 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5PT.

If you are writing from abroad payment has to be made in the form of an international money order expressed in Pounds Sterling.

Alternatively, payment can be made by Credit or Debit Card for births registered more than eighteen months ago. In this instance you may obtain the certificate directly from the Registrar General’s Office. A credit or debit card number must accompany a phone or email message, quote card type; expiry date and card number. Telephone: 0845 603 7788 or email: certificates.services@ons.gov.uk

He/She was born in England / Wales

You can obtain a birth certificate from the Register Office of the district in which they were born. If you want details of the address and telephone number of the appropriate office you can telephone Westminster Register Office on 020 7641 1161.

He/She was born in Scotland

You will need to apply to the General Register Office in Scotland. The address of that office is: Registrar General, General Register Office, New Register House, Edinburgh, EH1 3YT (Telephone 0131 334 0380)

He/She was born in N.Ireland

You will need to apply to the General Register Office in Northern Ireland. The address of that office is: Registrar General, Oxford House, 49-55 Chichester Street, Belfast BT1 4HL (Telephone 02890 252000)

He/She was born in the Irish Republic

You will need to apply to the General Register Office in the Irish Republic. The address of that office is: Registrar General, Joyce House, 8-11 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2 (Telephone 003531 671 1000)

He/She was born in none of the above areas or countries

You would have to apply for a copy of your birth certificate from the registration authorities of the country in which they were born. The Embassy or High Commission of the country in which they were born should be able to provide you with advice on where the application should be made.

I don't know where this person was born

You will need to apply to the General Register Office Family Records Centre 1 Myddelton Street, London, EC1R 1UW. The records held by the General Register Office cover the whole of England and Wales. If you visit the Family Record Centre and make your application in person you can collect your certificate on the fourth working day after the application was made or you can have it posted to any address you have supplied to them. If you want to apply by post you should address your application to: General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside PR8 2JD. If you want the latest information on the costs of certificates obtained from the General Register Office for England and Wales telephone 0151 471 4816.