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Family history

We will not accept customers visiting in person to order and/ or collect copy certificates. Copy certificates can still be ordered online, but there may be a delay in dispatching certificates.

We have suspended our fast track certificate ordering system

We hold records of births, marriages and deaths that have occurred within our registration area since 1 July 1837.

These records can help you in your research by providing invaluable information that can help you piece together your family history.

Ordering certificates

Online

If your relatives records are held with us and you would like to order a copy of a certificate we will require a BMD (Birth, Death or Marriage) reference. You can get this from Cheshire BMD. The site includes most birth, marriage and death indexes from 1837 to 1950.

To keep visitors and staff safe during the Coronavirus outbreak, certificates should only be ordered online and will be posted out.

Order a certificate

We will accept email orders for copy certificates, but these will be dealt with as lower priority and would encourage all customers to order online if they can. Email chesterregisteroffice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Prices

Standard certificates cost £11 each.

How long will it take?

Standard certificates will normally be available for collection or posting after 48 hours (Monday to Friday).

What information can be found on a certificate?

As well as the full names of the individuals, you will also find the following information:

Birth certificate

Includes date and place of birth, the name and residence of the mother (and sometimes the mother’s maiden name). The name and occupation of the father may also be shown on the certificate.

Marriage certificate

Includes the full names of the bride and groom and the date and place of marriage. It will normally include their occupations, residences and also the names and occupations of the fathers of both bride and groom. Names of witnesses can also be seen.

Death certificate

Includes the date and place of death, age, occupation, cause of death, as well as the name and relationship of the person who registered.

Resources to help you build your family tree

Family

Try to gather all the information you can from members of your own family. Ask your oldest relatives for details of people’s names, where they were born or died or married, how many children they had, etc.

Collect family memories and documents and ask relatives to identify family members in photographs.

Even if some of this information proves not to be accurate, it can often provide useful clues or pointers in the right direction.

Local resources

You can access many materials to help with family history research by visiting our:

Further information