How to Get a Copy of Your UK Birth Certificate (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you are dealing with a French succession (inheritance), the French notary will often request birth certificates for the deceased’s children to establish the family relationship.

Fortunately, obtaining a replacement UK birth certificate is straightforward and can be completed entirely online through the UK Government’s General Register Office (GRO).

How Much Does It Cost?

There are two possible costs involved:

• £3.00 – to search the GRO indexes and obtain your GRO reference number (if you don’t already have it).
• £12.50 – to order each birth certificate.

In most cases, if you first need to search for your reference, the total cost is £15.50 per certificate.

Certificates are normally dispatched within around 4 working days, although delivery times can vary depending on demand and the postage option selected.

Step 1 – Visit the GRO Website

Begin by visiting the UK Government’s certificate ordering service:

https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

If you have not previously used the service, you’ll first need to create a free GRO account.

Step 2 – Sign In

Once you’ve registered and signed in, you’ll arrive at the GRO dashboard.

If you don’t already know your GRO reference number, choose Search the GRO Indexes.

Step 3 – Search the GRO Indexes

Select the relevant:

• Year of birth
• Certificate type (Birth)

The search form will then expand to allow you to enter additional information.

To improve your chances of finding the correct record, enter as much information as possible, including:

• First name
• Middle name(s) (if applicable)
• Surname
• Sex
• Mother’s maiden surname
• Birth registration quarter (if known)
• Registration district (usually the town or district where the birth was registered)

For most people, providing these details is enough to locate the correct entry.

Click Search to view the matching records.

Step 4 – Order the Certificate

Select the correct record from the search results.

An Order Certificate button will appear, allowing you to proceed with the application.

Step 5 – Verify Your Identity

Before your order can be processed, you’ll be asked to provide some additional information to verify the record.

This typically includes:

• Date of birth
• Father’s full name
• Mother’s full name

These details are used as a security check and are not automatically populated, even if you located the record using the search.

Step 6 – Enter Your Delivery Address

Next, provide the postal address where you’d like the certificate sent.

You’ll then be shown a summary of your order before payment.

Step 7 – Pay for Your Certificate

Payment is made securely online using the Government’s payment provider.

Once payment has been completed, your application is submitted and your certificate will be posted to your chosen address.

Which Birth Certificates Will You Need?

For a French inheritance case, you will usually need the birth certificate of each child of the deceased.

For example, if the deceased had three children, you should normally obtain a birth certificate for each of those three children, as the French notary may require them to establish the legal line of succession.

If you’re unsure which documents your notaire requires, check with them before placing your order, as requirements can vary slightly between cases.

Need Help with a French Succession?

Obtaining UK birth certificates is often one of the first administrative steps in a French probate matter. If you’re unsure which certificates are required or need assistance gathering the documentation for your notaire, our French succession support service can guide you through the process and help ensure nothing is overlooked.