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General Registrar Office or Local?
Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 10:18 pm
by AndrewA
WHere do you order your certificates from and why? how much is cost a factor? I have been using the GRO, but thought why not use local registrar offices instead, however some charge a few quid more than the GRO, but would the quality of the certificate be any different, if at all? WIll local offices hand write a copy instead of photo copy of the original?
Re: General Registrar Office or Local?
Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 10:30 pm
by Maths girl
AndrewA wrote:WHere do you order your certificates from and why? how much is cost a factor? I have been using the GRO, but thought why not use local registrar offices instead, however some charge a few quid more than the GRO, but would the quality of the certificate be any different, if at all? WIll local offices hand write a copy instead of photo copy of the original?
I have had a variety of different types of copies from Local registry Offices -from photocopies of originals to typed --
Re: General Registrar Office or Local?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 12:57 am
by gardener
The GRO certificates are not "original" originals. They are usually images of the copies which each local office made and then submitted. If they are poor quality then even the GRO will send a typed version. Either way you won't see an ancestor's script on the certificate.
Re: General Registrar Office or Local?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 7:25 am
by Marchesgirl
Nowadays, I usually order them from the GRO as they are slightly cheaper. However, my experience of local register offices in the past was very positive - they were often significantly quicker than the GRO and on several occasions included a compliment slip/letter offering an interpretation of less legible entries based on their local knowledge. As I remember, Nottingham was extremely efficient - you could expect to receive your certificate through the post within 48 hours of posting the request.
Like Maths girl, the type of copies vary - I've had hand written, typed and photocopies of the original.
Re: General Registrar Office or Local?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 8:08 am
by Northern Lass
gardener wrote:The GRO certificates are not "original" originals. They are usually images of the copies which each local office made and then submitted. If they are poor quality then even the GRO will send a typed version. Either way you won't see an ancestor's script on the certificate.
You get the originals at Dudley regis office so they are the actual signatures I checked with them ages ago.
They photo copy the originals where they can
might be an idea to ask the question if you use local ones
I think Birmingham do original copies too so you get signatures as they are in Parish regis at archives.
I use both Gro and local
Local are better for being able to ask questions