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Family history research

Applying for certificates

You can apply by post or in person at Calderdale Register Office and at most other offices. It is best to telephone first before making a special journey, as some offices are only open part-time.

The current fee for a certificate is £9.00. Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to 'The Superintendent Registrar'. A stamped addressed envelope is appreciated to return certificates to you.

When sending for more than one certificate we suggest sending a separate cheque for each event, in case a search is unsuccessful and we need to make a refund. We require payment at the time of application.

• Birth certificate application form [PDF file 32KB]|
• Marriage certificate application form [PDF file 30KB]|
• Death certificate application form [PDF file 41KB]|

You can also apply to the General Register Office at:

• Address
• GRO
  PO Box 2
  Southport
  Merseyside PR8 2JD
• Telephone
• 0300 123 1837.

Or order online at the General Register Office: Certificate ordering service| .

The fees for certificates obtained from the General Register Office are higher than for those from local offices unless you have the GRO reference of the volume and page number as given on the St Catherine's index.  In this case the certificate fee is the same as at a register office.

Due to the large number of requests for family history certificates received at Calderdale Register Office, we are unable to deal with these while you wait.  We aim to deal with requests within 10 working days.

If the date of a birth, death or marriage is unknown

There are several specialised genealogy web sites available - see Useful Websites.

Birth, Marriage & Death indexes 1837-1965 are available to use on microfiche, free of charge, in the Central Reference Library in Halifax.

These indexes are usually available in most large libraries or you may like to contact your local Family History Society for help with your research.

Halifax Guardian birth, death and marriage notices 1832-1864

A volunteer project currently underway in Calderdale Libraries aims to index the birth, marriage and death notices for the entire period of the Halifax Guardian's existence. The index available so far represents progress to October 2011 and covers the years 1832 to 1864. This will be updated at intervals. For further information see Further information about the Halifax Guardian index.

Please note: Superintendent Registrars do not have the staff to undertake searches of an indefinite or protracted nature. A year and quarter is required for each certificate order. In exceptional circumstances, where this information is not available, one search in the index, covering a period not exceeding 3 years, will be made but only where accurate details have been given of the registration (including parents' names).

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