# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Travel Paperwork

How Do I Get a Copy of My Birth Certificate in London?

You can obtain a copy of your birth certificate from a local register office in London or from the General Register Office. Local register offices record the marriages, births and deaths that occur in their vicinity while the General Register Office (GRO) maintains data from all register offices. The GRO can provide copies of certificates recorded as early as 1837. It can also provide certificates that were recorded overseas.

Instructions

- 1
  Order a birth certificate online from GRO (see Resources). You must register with the department's website first before you can place your order. Pay for your order with a credit or debit card.
- 2
  Place an order with GRO over the phone. The staff is available from Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and on Saturday from 9am to 4pm. Call +44-0-845-603-7788. Pay with a credit or debit card.
- 3
  Order a certificate via mail. Send a message to [email protected] to request an application form or call +44-0-845-603-7788. You must place "GQ" in the subject of your email to receive a personal response. Complete the form and mail it to:
  
  General Register Office
  PO Box 2
  Southport, Merseyside PR8 2JD
  
  Include a check, postal order or credit card details. Make your check or postal order payable to IPS (Identity Passport Service).
- 4
  Contact the local register office. You can also obtain a copy of a birth certificate from the local register office where the birth took place by post or in person.