Copies of certificates for births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

The birth, death, marriage or civil partnership must have taken place in Northumberland between 1837 and the present day.

Orders during the Christmas period

We will not be able to process any orders, including priority orders, from December 24 to January 2 2025. This is necessary to prioritise our registration services during the Christmas period. Full service will resume on January 3.

Information needed

You will need to provide different information depending on what certificate you require.

Birth 

• Where and when the birth took place 
• Person’s full name 
• Supporting information e.g. parents' names  

Death 

• Name of deceased 
• Date and place of death 

Marriage 

• Name of licensed wedding venue 
• Date of wedding 
• Name of married couple  

Civil partnership 

• Name of both partners 
• Date of partnership 
• Ceremony location 

Fees 

Registration costs are subject to government review and may increase. 

• £12.50 (standard service – posted second class) 
• £38.50 (priority service – posted first class) 
• First purchase of certificates (death and birth within first calendar month of registration) charged at £12.50 per certificate.

Apply and pay  

Order a Copy Certificate

Or call us on 0345 600 6400.  

Make sure you have a credit/debit card handy. 
 

Timescales 

Current processing time: 

• Standard service (UK)- within 15 working days  
• Priority service (UK) - Orders received before 12pm Monday-Friday will be processed on the same day. After 12pm will be processed the following working day.  Will be posted first class. 
• First purchase Death certificates- processed within 24 hours of ordering on working days and posted first class.  
• First purchase birth certificates – processed within 5 working days of ordering and posted second class.  

Certificates lost in the post 

If you believe your certificate has been lost in the post, it should be reported within 3 months.  

After this point, undelivered certificates should be re-ordered. 

You should wait one month from ordering before contacting us (except for priority orders). 

If certificates have not been delivered after this, you should contact us on 0345 600 6400. 

We will investigate on a case-by-case basis. 

Collecting certificates

Certificates can be collected from County Hall Morpeth NE61 2EF, Monday - Friday 9am to 4.30 pm.

We will call you when your certificate is ready to collect.

All certificates must be collected within 1 month of us contacting you. After this point, your certificate will be posted to you at the address you gave when you made the order.

Privacy notice

Privacy notice for the registration service.