Genealogy Chat

thats brillant Judith :)))....Lilly

Yes the demand for an original seemed daft, but I suppose the reasoning was that someone trying to steal my identity might have bought a copy cert. They only asked for a birth certificate because I don't have a passport or driving licence so no official photo ID. I did wonder whether to offer my National Identity Card, issued in 1950 but thought that might confuse them further :-)

Hi Nell, sadly this isn't the case anymore....everyone wants full birth certs. jobs, passports, I even had to produce MY PARENTS wedding cert to the Passport people this June, to prove MY DAUGHTER's grandparents were born in this country..when we applied for her full passport.....It really is getting beyond control now.....My son's partner, is American, they both had to prove that they weren't getting married for convenience sake....The silly bit in all of this...is my son has worked for the Home Office (as I did to at one point) for 10 years, they only have to check THEIR records to see that we are 'OK' lol......Lilly

A short birth cert, which just gives child's name and date and place of birth, is accepted as proof of identity. I've used my short (and tatty) one for years. Only got a full one when I started doing this tree lark. I think my dad was too mean to fork out the extra! On the other hand - what would prove who you are, apart from a DNA test? I remember thinking it wierd that my own bank wouldn't cash my unused travellers cheques until I produced my bank card. I pointed out that if I'd stolen the cheques I could also have stolen the card and that my student union card was better proof as it had my photo on it, but I might as well have saved my breath. I think all this stuff about identity is total tosh.

Hmmm...I know what you mean.my daughter had to produce her birth cert for her little part time job...which she did, even though they didn't both to look at it....but it made me wonder at the time about all these single parents, the parents that never married. of course it would show this on the child full birth cert. I do think this is a bit to personal for the child, as maybe the child doesn't know, or would be embarrassed at the thought of stranges knowing something so personal...Maybe embarrassed enough not to apply, for what seems many Jobs, that request this information.....Lilly

The people who are performing the ceremony should know, but for peace of mind you can contact the relevant local register office, which will be responsible for the registration. nell

Slightly off topic i know,but a lot of employers are mistakenly asking for birth certs from job applicants,as stated earlier a certificate is not proof of identity (and it is stated on a cert) many employers believe it is an acceptable document to prove whether someone requires a work permit. I had a heck of a game after christmas,a local council would not accept a short adoption cert (only a full one,which i was not prepared to supply),they then required my full birth certificate too. To 'prove' the certs were for the same person they also requested the details of my adoption (date,issuing court etc). So the situation was as follows; I had to prove i was the person named on the adoption cert,then prove i was the person named on the birth cert by using two documents which are not proof of identity!! Let's just say i terminated the interview within a minute of the subject arising,and didn't get the job. The council still asks for birth certs for 'identity purposes' on all its application forms. Glen

Judith...that's a bit draft! don't you think??...how many people have their original birth cert......I don't think I ever seen mind....lol......so what happens if you can't produce it?????.....Lilly...ps I have my dad's original baptish cert. 1905...funny what we can keep and what does get lost! just in everyday life..........

Nothing to do with weddings but a few months ago I applied to be CRB checked and they would only accept an original (ie issued at the time birth was registered) birth certificate as proof of ID, not a modern copy certificate.

Hi Seasons, yes they have done all of that,,,just thought it strange that a birth cert was never mentioned.........It isn't Register or Church, so they don't need to be 'living in the area' for 7 days.....maybe.... I am overreacting....mums do that best don't they?, it just accured to me this morning, son hasn't got a full only half birth cert...I remember asking him a few weeks back, if he had a full cert and he said no.....have text him, but all you lovely people have answered me, and he hadn't lol......I expect they are out 'shopping' only 11 more days to go!!!!!!......Lilly

Many thanks Kathleen and everyone.....I think I will just pop to the local register office on Tuesday and order one, son is getting married on the 7th Sept, so should be OK.....that way, if there is any problems on the day....I can just say...'hey! I've got one of those, here it is'...and be the hero of the day ha ha.....Until I started our tree, we only bought short certs (they were cheaper to)...but I haven't bother to replace the childrens ones.... .....but with all this security we need now adays...its seems that short ones just aren't acceptable anymore...it just seems daft that you can get a passport with a birth cert....which as you ladies said is not proof of ID!!!! strange world we live in.....many thanks again.....Lilly.

Found this by googling 'documents needed for marriage':- ------------------------------------------------- Documents needed When you visit the Superintendent Registrar or Vicar to make the formal arrangements you will need to produce certain documents, for example if you have been married before a decree absolute of divorce bearing the court's original stamp, or if your previous spouse has died a certificate of death. It would also be useful if your birth certificate or passport (or some identity document) could be produced. Photocopies are unlikely to be accepted. Other documents may also be needed depending on the circumstances, for example, the consent of parents to a marriage where one of the partners is under the age of 18 years old. If you are not able to provide any of the above documents the Superintendent Registrar will explain what other documents may be acceptable. ------------------------------------ It looks like the birth certificate would be useful, but not essential. Personally I would ring up and ask now, before the wedding day, just to be sure. Kath. x

Thanks guys, I hear what you are saying.....but.....lol.....they are getting married in Wilshire at this lovely Place (they have real peacocks running around!!)in the middle of nowhere, and it is a civil wedding, not Church or Register.....I know birth cert isn't proof of ID....but.....I had to show full birth cert for my daughter passport, couple of months back, as she was 18 and had to come of mind.....when I applied for my years ago, it was a short one....I would hate things to go wrong on the day, because they hadn't the right documents arrrrrr.....you must need proof of who are, mustn't you.?.....I think I might get a copy for him anyway, to ease my own peace of mind.......Lilly..... a very nervous Mother of the Groom lol

Yes Willow, I just checked, and I'm sure you are right too, that it's because anyone can order anyone else's birth certificate if they know the details. Kath. x

and Kathleen just had a look and your right they all say Warning: A certificate is not evidence of identity. (probably because we can all apply for them)

Some ask for birth cert's other's don't, depends on the registrar or whoever is marrying them. Would take it just in case Debbie

I don't think you need a birth certificate to get married, although if they are getting married a long way from home it might be sensible to have it with them just in case. I haven't got any of my certificates handy at the moment, but I'm almost sure it says on the bottom something like 'a certificate isn't proof of identity'. I could be wrong so would be interested in any other replies. UPDATE - Just checked some birth certificates and it does say 'certificate is not proof of identity'. Kath. x

When I got married I never showed my birth certificate, that was 10 years ago. and OH mum got married 2 months ago and she never showed hers.

Has he booked the wedding thro a travel Agent,Not sure by your enquiry if the wedding is abroad or not. If it is then the travel Agent should know OR if cant he find out then why not take his birth cert with him anyway. Shirley

Hello. just had a thought about my sons wedding!!!! does he need to show a full birth cert, to prove who he is? funny question I know, but with all this ID security going on. I would have thought he might....wife to be says no. but all due respects, she is American, so she wouldn't really know would she?....the person who is marrying them hasn't mentioned it. and as they are getting married 200 miles from home, they can't just pop over..any ideas more than welcome...many thanks....Lilly