How can I apply for a replacement or copy certificate?

When applying for a replacement or copy certificate please note:

You can apply in post or in person to our Register office, Town Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

If you wish to apply in person, we will normally be able to issue your certificate within 20 minutes. The length of time can vary though according to the information you give us.

You can pay for your certificate by cash or cheque (with a valid cheque guarantee card).

If you apply by post you will need to send us sufficient details for us to find the correct record. We will normally be able to deal with your request by return of post. Family history requests, which are not protracted or indefinite searches, may take a little longer due to the need for searching.

Family Historians are requested to leave their applications at the register office, together with the certificate fee of £7.00 for each certificate. The office will undertake a three year search, free of charge, on the day receipt.

We are unable to search and issue family history certificates whilst you wait due to other statutory responsibilities. We aim to issue these certificates within three working days.

Marriage searches quoting the General Register Office index reference, are protracted and indefinite searches. Unfortunately, this index reference does not assist us in locating the marriage. If you are unable to provide the name of the church or building you must apply directly to the General Register Office, quoting their reference number and sending a cheque or postal order for £8.50 to : ONS, Certificates Section, Smedley Hydro, Trafalgar Road, Southport, PR8 2HH.

Any person with a protracted or indefinite search has the right to make their own personal search of the indexes for which the General Search Fee of £18 is payable.

For applications of a non protracted or indefinite nature, please send us a letter or application form (available from the Register Office) together with your cheque or postal order and a stamped addressed envelope. Your cheque or postal order should be made payable to the 'Superintendent Registrar'. If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom please enclose 2 international reply coupons or add postage of £1 to your fee.

As a guide please provide us with the name of the person whose certificate you require (both names for a marriage certificate), the date of the event and the place. For birth certificates the parents' names and mother's maiden name are required.

If we can not trace the record you are looking for we will return your fee.

Certificates may be issued to anyone who is able to give us the full personal details of the person whose certificate is required. No proof of identity is needed.

how can i apply

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