Buying a Birth Certificate Online UK: Complete Step-by-Step Guide 2025
Need to buy a UK birth certificate online quickly and securely? This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire process of ordering through the official GRO website. Learn exactly what information you need, current costs (from £12.50), processing times, and avoid common mistakes that delay applications.
📑 Table of Contents
⏱️ Quick Summary – Online Birth Certificate Purchase
- Where to buy: Official GRO website (England & Wales)
- Cost: £12.50 standard, £38.50 priority service
- Time needed: 10 minutes to complete order
- Delivery: 4-15 days standard, next day priority
- Payment: Debit/credit card required
- Available: 24/7 online service
Having your GRO index reference number saves £3.50 per certificate and reduces processing time from 15 days to just 4 days. You can find this reference for free using the GRO online index search.
Can You Buy a Birth Certificate Online in the UK?
Yes, buying a UK birth certificate online is the fastest and most convenient method available. The official General Register Office (GRO) provides a secure online service that’s available 24/7 for ordering birth certificates registered in England and Wales.
Who Can Buy Birth Certificates Online?
You can buy a birth certificate online if you are:
- The person named on the certificate (aged 16+)
- A parent or legal guardian
- A sibling, spouse, civil partner, or child of the person
- A solicitor with written authorization
- Someone with a legitimate reason (genealogy research, etc.)
Which Certificates Can Be Ordered Online?
- England & Wales: Via GRO website
- Scotland: Through National Records of Scotland
- Northern Ireland: Via GRONI website
Many unofficial websites charge premium fees (£30-£50+) for ordering certificates. Always use the official government websites listed above to pay the standard fees. Third-party sites simply order from the GRO on your behalf at inflated prices.
Before You Start: What You’ll Need
Gathering the right information before you start will make the online ordering process quick and smooth. Here’s exactly what you need:
📋 Essential Information Required
- Full name at birth – Exactly as registered, including all middle names
- Date of birth – Day, month, and year
- Place of birth – Town/city and county (hospital name helpful)
- Mother’s full name – Including maiden surname
- Father’s full name – If listed on the certificate
- GRO index reference – Optional but saves time and money
Payment Information
You’ll need a valid debit or credit card. The GRO accepts:
- Visa (debit and credit)
- Mastercard (debit and credit)
- Maestro
- American Express
Additional Requirements
- A valid email address for confirmation and updates
- Your current postal address for delivery
- About 10 minutes to complete the process
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Birth Certificate Online
Follow these detailed steps to successfully order your birth certificate online:
Step 1: Access the Official GRO Website
- Open your web browser and go to www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/
- Click “Start” to begin the ordering process
- The site uses cookies – click “Accept” to continue
Note: Don’t use the browser back button during ordering – use only the site’s navigation buttons.
Step 2: Create or Login to Your Account
- New users: Click “Register” and create an account
- Enter your email address and create a secure password
- Verify your email address via the confirmation link
- Existing users: Simply log in with your credentials
Step 3: Select Certificate Type
- Choose “Birth Certificate” from the options
- Select “Full Birth Certificate” (recommended for official use)
- Indicate if you have a GRO index reference number
Step 4: Enter Certificate Details
Fill in all required fields accurately:
- With GRO reference: Enter the reference number (saves £3.50)
- Without GRO reference: Provide:
- Full name at birth (exactly as registered)
- Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
- Place of birth (be specific)
- Mother’s maiden name
- Father’s name (if applicable)
Step 5: Choose Service Level
Select your preferred delivery option:
- Standard Service (£12.50): 4 days with reference, 15 days without
- Priority Service (£38.50): Next working day if ordered before 4pm
- Multiple copies: £12.50 each (same order)
Step 6: Enter Delivery Details
- Provide your full postal address
- Double-check the address is correct
- International delivery available (additional time required)
Step 7: Review and Pay
- Review all entered information carefully
- Check the total cost including any search fees
- Enter your card details securely
- Complete the payment process
Step 8: Confirmation
After successful payment:
- You’ll see an order confirmation screen
- Note your reference number for tracking
- Check your email for confirmation receipt
- Print or save the confirmation for your records
Costs and Delivery Options
| Service Type | Cost | Processing Time | Total Delivery Time* | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (with GRO ref) | £12.50 | 4 working days | 5-7 working days | Regular applications |
| Standard (no GRO ref) | £16.00** | 15 working days | 16-20 working days | When details uncertain |
| Priority Service | £38.50 | Next working day*** | 2-3 working days | Urgent needs |
| Additional copies | £12.50 each | Same as main order | Same as main order | Multiple requirements |
* Includes postal delivery time
** Includes £3.50 search fee
*** If ordered before 4pm on working days
International Delivery
- Available to most countries worldwide
- Add 5-10 working days for international post
- Consider priority service for faster processing
- Tracking not available for standard international delivery
Finding Your GRO Index Reference
The GRO index reference is a unique identifier that significantly speeds up your application and saves money. Here’s how to find it:
Free Online Search
- Visit GRO Index Search
- Search births from 1837-1917 (currently available range)
- Enter the person’s details
- Note the reference: Year, Quarter, District, Volume, Page
Alternative Sources
- FreeBMD: Free database covering 1837-1983
- Ancestry/FindMyPast: Subscription services with extensive indexes
- Family Search: Free genealogy website
- Local libraries: Many have GRO index microfiche
🔍 Understanding GRO References
A typical GRO reference looks like: 1985 Q2 Birmingham 6d 1234
- 1985: Year of registration
- Q2: Quarter (Apr-Jun)
- Birmingham: Registration district
- 6d: Volume number
- 1234: Page number
Payment Methods and Security
Accepted Payment Methods
The GRO website accepts the following cards for online payment:
- Visa Debit and Credit Cards
- Mastercard Debit and Credit Cards
- Maestro Cards
- American Express
Payment Security Features
- SSL Encryption: All transactions are encrypted
- Secure Payment Gateway: Government-approved processor
- 3D Secure: Additional verification for card payments
- No card details stored: Information not retained after payment
- Ensure your card is enabled for online purchases
- Have sufficient funds including any foreign transaction fees
- Some banks may flag government payments – inform them in advance
- Keep your confirmation email as proof of payment
After Ordering: Tracking Your Certificate
What Happens Next?
- Immediate: Confirmation email with order reference
- Within 24 hours: Processing begins
- During processing: Status updates available online
- Dispatch: Email notification when sent
- Delivery: Standard Royal Mail post
How to Track Your Order
- Log into your GRO account
- Click “Track an Order”
- Enter your reference number
- View current status and expected delivery
Order Status Meanings
- Received: Order confirmed and payment processed
- In Progress: Certificate being prepared
- Dispatched: Sent via Royal Mail
- Query: Additional information needed (check email)
Common Problems and Solutions
Payment Issues
- Card declined: Check details, funds, and online purchase settings
- Transaction timeout: Don’t use back button – start fresh
- Foreign card problems: Contact bank about international transactions
Can’t Find the Certificate
- No search results: Try alternate spellings or broader date ranges
- Wrong details: The £3.50 search fee helps GRO staff locate difficult records
- Pre-1837 births: Civil registration started July 1837 – check parish records
Delivery Problems
- Not received: Allow full delivery time before contacting GRO
- Wrong address: Contact GRO immediately to update
- International delays: Can take 3-4 weeks total
Certificate Errors
- Wrong certificate received: Contact GRO for free replacement
- Spelling mistakes: May be original registration error
- Missing information: Some old certificates have limited details
Alternative Ways to Buy Birth Certificates
While online ordering is usually fastest, there are other options:
📞 Order by Phone
- Call: 0300 123 1837
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm
- Have card ready for payment
- Helpful for complex queries
📮 Order by Post
- Download application form from GOV.UK
- Complete in black ink, block capitals
- Include cheque/postal order payable to ‘GRO’
- Post to: General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport, PR8 2JD
🏢 Local Registry Office
- Visit the registry office where birth was registered
- Often same-day service available
- Prices may vary (£11-£35)
- Find your local office at Registry Office Directory
Related Birth Certificate Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can buy UK birth certificates online from anywhere in the world through the GRO website. You’ll need a valid debit or credit card and a postal address for delivery. International delivery typically adds 5-10 working days to the standard processing time.
Yes, buying from the official GRO website is completely safe. The site uses SSL encryption, secure payment processing, and is run by the UK government. Avoid third-party websites that charge premium fees – always use the official GRO website.
Standard service (£12.50) takes 4 working days with a GRO reference or 15 days without, plus postal delivery time. Priority service (£38.50) is processed the next working day if ordered before 4pm, making it ideal for urgent passport applications or visa requirements.
Yes, but you must be their parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, civil partner, child, or have written authorization. The GRO doesn’t verify relationships for online orders, but using certificates fraudulently is a criminal offense.
You can still order without complete information, but it will take longer (15 working days) and cost an extra £3.50 for the search fee. Provide as much accurate information as possible, especially the full name and approximate year of birth.
These are third-party services that order from the GRO on your behalf. They charge premium fees but provide no additional value. Always use the official GRO website where certificates cost just £12.50 (standard) or £38.50 (priority).
If the GRO cannot find the record after searching, they will refund the certificate fee (£12.50) but keep the search fee (£3.50). This rarely happens if you provide accurate information. You’ll be contacted if there are any issues locating the record.
You can order multiple copies of the same certificate for £12.50 each. This is more economical than placing separate orders. Many people order 2-3 copies for different official purposes (passport, driving license, marriage).
Ready to Buy Your Birth Certificate Online?
Order now through the official GRO website – the fastest, safest, and most affordable way to get your UK birth certificate.
📞 Need Help Buying Online?
Contact the General Register Office for assistance:
- Phone: 0300 123 1837 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm)
- Email: certificate.services@gro.gov.uk
- Online form: Contact form for existing orders
- Address: General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport, PR8 2JD