Find out how to order copies of birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates, or how to correct an error on a certificate (which will amend the register).
Who can apply for a copy of a certificate
Anyone can order a copy of a certificate if they know the information that will appear in the register entry.
To get a copy of a birth certificate you will need to tell us the:
- full name on the certificate
- date and place of birth
- mother’s full name and mother’s maiden name (where applicable)
- father's/parent's full name
To get a copy of a death certificate you will need to tell us the:
- the full name of the person who died
- date and place of death
- spouse’s/civil partner's full name (if applicable)
To get a copy of a marriage certificate you will need to tell us the:
- full names of both people
- any other surnames they may have used
- date and place of marriage/ceremony (i.e. venue, church name etc.)
To get a copy of a civil partnership certificate you will need to tell us the:
- full names of both people
- any other surnames they may have used
- date and place of marriage/ceremony (for example, venue, church name)
- full addresses for the couple at the time they entered the civil partnership
How to apply
Before you apply you may want to check the Bath BMD website to see whether we hold the original entry - their records go up until 2007.
You can order and pay for copies of certificates by calling our register office on 01225 47 72 34 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 3.30pm). Each copy costs £12.50, plus a handling and postage fee of £2 for first class postage. If you would like it sent first class signed for postage, there is an additional charge of £3. Payment is taken over the phone by credit or debit card.
Certificates will usually be ready within 5 working days.
We also offer a priority service, which means that your copies will be available within 24 hours. This costs £35, plus a handling and postage fee of £2 for first class postage. If you would like it sent first class signed for postage, there is an additional charge of £3. Your application must be received by 2pm to be processed the same day.
If you notice that something is wrong on the certificate after you have registered a birth, marriage, death, or civil partnership, you will need to contact the register office in the district where the registration took place, and they can correct the register. There is a charge of £83 if the register can be corrected locally, but if it needs to be corrected by the General Register Office the charge will be £99.
Email register_office@bathnes.gov.uk or call 01225 47 72 34 to discuss the correction, and we will tell you which route you need to take, and arrange any appointment you might need with us.
If the correction needs to be made by General Register Office, you will need to complete the relevant application form.