Copy certificates

Replacement birth, death, marriage or civil partnership certificates can only be issued by the register office where the event took place or by the General Register Office.

Before you apply

Please ensure the details you provide in your application are correct before submitting to us. Refunds will not be made for errors on your part. Further details can be found in our terms and conditions (revised version in place from 28 May 2024).

Were you born in Leicester?

We can only issue certificates for births, deaths, marriages or civil partnerships which took place in the city of Leicester. Please check where the event took place before applying.

Records we do not hold

For events that took place in the county of Leicestershire, you will need to get in touch with the Leicestershire Register Office, visit the Leicestershire County Council website.

We do not hold birth, death, marriage or civil partnership records which took place in Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, Coalville, Hinckley, Market Harborough and other areas outside of the city boundaries. We also do not hold records of marriages or civil partnerships which took place at County Hall, Glenfield and Anstey Frith House. For all of these you will need to apply to the Leicestershire Register Office – using the link above.

Boundary changes

We have details of births, deaths and marriages which have taken place in the city from 1 July 1837, when civil registration began. Records of marriages held in the city before 1899 are kept by us.

Due to boundary changes, some birth and death records may be held at the Leicestershire Register Office. See the full list of locations and the years we hold them below:

Records at Leicestershire Register Office

Marriages in the city from 1899 are subject to boundary changes and may be registered at the Leicestershire Register Office.

If you were married in a Church in Leicestershire, we advise you call us or Leicestershire Register Office before applying to check who holds the register.​

How much is a certificate?

A copy certificate is £12.50 per certificate.

Is there a cost for postage?

• Second class: Free
• Recorded delivery: £3.50
• Overseas: £4.50 (standard postage)

Do you provide a priority service?

If you select this option it does not mean you will receive your certificate next day. We will process your application 48 hours from day of receipt. Day of receipt is the first working day after you have placed your order.

• Priority certificates: £38.50 per each certificate issued + £3.50 for Recorded Delivery (postage)

What is a short birth or death certificate?

Short birth certificates only show the child's name, date of birth, place of birth and gender. They have limited use. You must check with the organisation requesting it if they need a full (long/standard) certificate.

Short death certificates have been introduced for the first time on 9 September 2024. They will not show the cause of death or the gender of the deceased. As these are a new type of certificate, many organisations will not have seen them before and may not accept them for official purposes. You must check with the organisation requesting it if they need a full (long/standard) certificate.

How do I request a copy certificate?

1. Applying online

The easiest way to apply for a copy certificate is online. We will receive your order the following working day from when you submit your application.

You can apply online by selecting the relevant form below:

2. Applying by post

You can download a birth, death, marriage or civil partnership application form. Completed forms must be returned to us at the following address:

• Registration Service, 115 Charles Street, Leicester, LE1 1FZ.

You should include a stamped addressed envelope with your application. If one is not included - your certificate will be sent by second class post.

• Download the birth certificate application form (PDF)
• Download the death certificate application form (PDF)
• Download the marriage certificate application form (PDF)
• Download the civil partnership certificate application form (PDF)

How long does it take?

Standard applications will be issued within 15 working days. If there is a problem with your application this may cause a delay.

Priority service applications will be processed within 48 hours from day of receipt. If there is a problem with your application this may cause a delay.

Certificates will be sent via the postal option you have selected. All overseas applications will be sent via standard post.

Please allow enough time before contacting us with regards to your order. Any unnecessary contact may delay your application and the processing of others.

If you are unable to supply specific information, it may take longer for us to locate the entry.

Refunds

You will receive a refund of your certificate fee if you have applied to the wrong office, there is no trace of the record or there is not enough information provided for a certificate. Further details can be found in the terms and conditions below.

If you apply for a short birth or death certificate by mistake, you will need to reapply for the full certificate and pay the statutory fee again. The Registration Service cannot advise on which certificate you will need.

Warning

Beware of companies overcharging for replacement birth, death or marriage certificates. A number of private services have been set up online, which often appear to be official. They may pay to appear at the top of internet search results and listings on websites to grab your attention. However, they can charge you extra administration fees, and ask you to call premium rate telephone lines. In most cases, you will have paid more for exactly the same service.

Have any questions?

See our frequently asked questions and terms and conditions.

Contact us

Write to us: Registration Service, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ
Ring us on: 0116 454 1000 (Monday to Friday: 9am - 4pm)