Get a copy of a certificate

You can order a copy of a birth, death, marriage or civil partnership certificate by post or in person.

A certificate is also known as a certified copy of entry.

What you need to know

• Ordering a copy of a certificate is not the same as registering an event
• You are able to purchase a birth certificate when you register a birth, or a death certificate when you register a death
• You can apply online or in person
• We can only issue certificates for events that took place and were registered in Swindon
• If we do not hold the record, we will tell you which Register Office does
• There is a fee for this service, which depends on how quickly you need the copy of a certificate
• You must provide enough information for us to identify the correct record

Apply online

You can apply online using our form:

Order a copy certificate online

Apply in person

You can also apply in person at Swindon Register Office. A member of staff can help you complete the paper form if needed.

You can choose to collect your certificate or have it posted to your address.

Information you will need to provide

• For a birth certificate:
  • Full name, including surname
  • Date and place of birth
  • Parent or parents’ names
  • Mother’s maiden name (if applicable)

• For a death certificate:
  • Full name of the person who died
  • Date and place of death

• For a marriage or civil partnership certificate:
  • Full names of both parties
  • Date and place of the marriage or civil partnership

Searching the records

You cannot access original records, but you can request to search the indexes held at Swindon Register Office. Members of the public can view the indexes for up to six hours in a row.

To arrange a general search, contact the Register Office to book an appointment.