Birth Indexes Search
Information on Searching the Birth Indexes, please read this first:
To Obtain a Copy Birth Certificate:
- Perform a search using either the Search By Name or Simple Listing Search below.
- Click on the reference numbers in the search results for each entry that
you are interested in. This will add the index entry to a Summary page.
- By repeating the above for any of the BMD web sites in the UKBMD group, you can add more entries to your Summary page.
- From the Summary page you can then decide which certificates you may wish to order.
- The reference numbers on the Summary page are links to printable application forms.
- Where available, certificates can be ordered online as instructed on the Summary page.
- The entries will remain on your Summary page until you close your browser.
- Alternatively, multiple index entries can be added to the Summary page. Select a range of entries by clicking on the checkboxes in the rightmost column, then click on the Add choices to Summary button at the foot of the results. No more than 100 may be selected at a time.
- Remember to note the address of the Register Office as shown on the printed form and send each certificate application to the correct Register Office.
- Please note that the indexes are not yet complete for all years and districts, so please check the coverage page to see exactly which records are included.
- Hints and Tips about searching can be found here.
Two types of search are possible:
- Search by Name: Search for the records for a particular surname, plus optional forename(s) or initial(s), for chosen year ranges.
- Simple Listing: Show all records for the first letter of the surname for chosen year ranges.
Search By Name
- Select date ranges from the list.
Multiple dates may be selected by holding the Control key down while you click (Mac users should use the Shift key).
(Touch Screen users should select a single year and then choose a range of years either side) -
Select the region(s) that you wish to search.
Multiple regions may be selected by holding the Control key down while you click. (Mac users should use the Shift key).
If you select just one region, a new list will appear which will allow you to select a subdistrict from within the region. - Choose whether you want the records listed alphabetically or by reference number.
- Enter either a surname, a mother's maiden name or both.
- You may (optionally) enter forename(s); or the first part of multiple forename(s), or initials if you know them. See the Hints & Tips page for further explanation and examples.
- Choose whether you want the search to be an exact match, or if the search should return names that sound similar to the requested surname too.
- Choose whether you want the output on the screen or saved to a file suitable for reading into a spreadsheet.
- Press the Display Results button.
Simple Listing.
- Select date ranges from the list.
Multiple dates may be selected by holding the Control key down while you click (Mac users should use the Shift key)
(Touch Screen users should select a single year and then choose a range of years either side) - Select the region(s) that you wish to search.
Multiple regions may be selected by holding the Control key down while you click. (Mac users should use the Shift key) - Choose whether you want the records listed alphabetically or by reference number.
- Choose whether you want the output on the screen or saved to a file suitable for reading into a spreadsheet.
- Select the first letter of the surname.
- Press the Display Indexes button.