Family history certificate applications
We can only search by name, year, quarter and district of registration, or Lancashire BMD reference. We can’t verify additional information (such as parents' names, occupations, and street names) before issuing a certificate.
We will issue a certificate and charge the fee without exception if:
- we find a certificate matching the details you give us, or
- for applications with a Lancashire BMD reference, the name matches the application
If you have limited information
If you’re researching your family history, try visiting our dedicated web pages. We hold a number of records and have links to useful online resources. If you need help with your research, Central Library provides a research service (fees start from £17.50).
The General Register Office (GRO) also holds birth, adoption, marriage, civil partnership, death and still-birth records for events registered in England and Wales from July 1837. Recent registrations may not be held by the GRO and will have to be obtained from the relevant district register office.
If you want to search our birth, death or marriage indexes yourself, you can use our general search facility charged at £18 for up to 6 hours. Contact us to make an appointment
Areas in the city of Manchester boundary
We can only provide certificates if the event took place in the area covered by the city of Manchester boundary at the time.
Neighbouring areas like Salford, Trafford, Rochdale, Oldham and other Greater Manchester areas do not count as the city of Manchester. To buy certificates for events that took place in other areas, you will need to contact the Register Office in that area.
The boundaries of the city of Manchester have changed over time. We can only search for a copy certificate if the person was born in one of the areas listed below.
- Ancoats
- Ardwick
- Baguley
- Benchill
- Beswick
- Blackley
- Bradford
- Burnage
- Charlestown
- Cheetham
- Chorlton
- City Centre
- Clayton
- Collyhurst
- Crumpsall
- Didsbury
- Fallowfield
- Gorton
- Harpurhey
- Hulme
- Levenshulme
- Longsight
- Miles Platting
- Moss Nook
- Moss Side
- Moston
- Newall Green
- Newton Heath
- Northenden
- Northern Moor
- Openshaw
- Peel Hall
- Rusholme
- Sharston
- Whalley Range
- Withington
- Woodhouse Park
- Wythenshawe
If the birth took place in Manchester, but the area is not in the list, contact us on 0161 234 5005, Monday to Friday, 9am-4.30pm, except bank holidays or email registeroffice@manchester.gov.uk.