Records of births, marriages and deaths are used to prove life events. They can help with legal matters or tracing your family history. In England and Wales, civil registration began in 1837.
Older records may be in parish registers. These are held by churches or local archives.
Many records are available online. You can search for them using:
Ancestry (£)
Findmypast
The General Register Office (GRO)
You can order copies of certificates online. They usually cost £11.
Before you start
What these records include
Records usually show full names, dates, and places. Some also include parents’ names, occupations, or addresses.
Where to look
Use civil registration records from 1837 onwards. For earlier dates, check parish records.
If you know where the event happened, check the local district or register office. Some local records include extra details.
What you’ll need
To search more easily, try to find:
full names (including any spelling variations)
dates (or an estimated year)
where the event took place
Access and costs
Most records are available online. Some may only be viewed in person at a local archive. Always check access rules before visiting.
Standard copies of certificates from the GRO cost £11. Local offices may charge different fees.
Search online records
You can search for birth, marriage and death records using several websites.
Civil registration indexes (1837 to 2007)
Search these indexes on:
Ancestry (£)
Findmypast (£)
Recent records may not be available on all platforms. Visit the GRO family history page for full details.
Other useful records
Non-conformist records (mainly before 1837)
These include records from churches outside the Church of England, such as Methodist or Baptist churches.
The National Archives holds these in record series RG4 to RG8. They include:
baptisms, births, deaths and burials from the 1600s to 1800s
Quaker records up to 1837 (RG6)
clandestine marriages up to 1754 (RG7)
You can search these on:
Ancestry (£)
Use advanced search options to filter by area or church denomination.
Note: Between 1754 and 1837, all legal marriages had to take place in a Church of England church.
Church of England marriages (1837 to 1920s)
Some marriage registers from this period are available on:
Ancestry (£)
Findmypast (£)
These can be helpful when looking for ancestors married in a church.
Where else to find records
Many local archives or county record offices keep copies of:
indexes
original certificates
parish registers
Use these if you can’t find a record online.
Order certificates (1837 to present)
You can order birth, marriage or death certificates from:
the General Register Office
the local register office where the event was registered
Standard certificates cost £11 from the GRO. Local offices may charge more.
Parish records (before 1837)
For earlier events, check parish records of baptisms, marriages or burials. These are usually held in local archives.
To help find the right parish, you can use:
English Jurisdictions 1851 (FamilySearch)
The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers (3rd edition)
These tools are especially useful for rural areas.
Frequently asked questions
What are vital records?They are official records of births, marriages and deaths. They are used to confirm life events and build family histories.
When did civil registration start in England and Wales?
It started in 1837. Before then, churches kept records.
Where can I search online?
Use websites like FreeBMD, Findmypast, Ancestry, or BMDregisters.co.uk.
How much does a certificate cost?
The GRO charges £11 for a standard certificate. You may pay more for faster delivery or certified copies.
Can I get records from before 1837?
Yes. Use parish registers held in local archives. FamilySearch and The Phillimore Atlas can help you find them.
Are online records complete?
Most are accurate, but some gaps exist. If unsure, check original sources.
Do I need permission to view some records?
Some archives ask for ID or appointments. Check before visiting.
What are non-conformist registers?
They are records from churches that were not part of the Church of England.
How do I reduce errors in my search?
Use full names, date ranges, and correct locations. Be aware of different spellings.
What tools help find parish records?
Use FamilySearch’s map or The Phillimore Atlas to locate older parish records.