Copy certificates

Replacement birth, death, marriage or civil partnership certificates can be issued by the register office where the event took place or by the General Register Office.

Were you born in Leicester?

We can only issue certificates for births, deaths, marriages or civil partnerships which took place in the city of Leicester. Please check where the event took place before applying.

Records we do not hold

For events that took place in the county of Leicestershire, you will need to get in touch with the Leicestershire Register Office, visit the Leicestershire County Council website.

We do not hold birth, death, marriage or civil partnership records which took place in Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, Coalville, Hinckley, Market Harborough and other areas outside of the city boundaries. We also do not hold records of marriages or civil partnerships which took place at County Hall, Glenfield. For all of these you will need to apply to the Leicestershire Register Office – using the link above.

Boundary changes

We have details of births, deaths and marriages which have taken place in the city from 1 July 1837, when civil registration began. Records of marriages held in the city before 1899 are kept by us.

Due to boundary changes, some birth and death records may be held at the Leicestershire Register Office. You can download a list of locations at the bottom of the page which have all their records kept at our Leicester Register Office.

Records at Leicestershire Register Office

Marriages in the city from 1899 are subject to boundary changes and may be registered at the Leicestershire Register Office.

If you were married in a Church in Leicestershire, we advise you call us or Leicestershire Register Office before applying to check who holds the register.

How much is a certificate?

A copy certificate is £11 per certificate.

Is there a cost for postage?

First class: £1
Recorded delivery: £3
Overseas: £4 (standard postage)

How do I request a copy certificate?

1. Applying online

The easiest way to apply for a copy certificate is online. We will receive your order the following working day from when you submit your application.

You can apply online by selecting the relevant form below:

Apply online for a copy birth certificate

Apply online for a copy death certificate

Apply online for a copy marriage certificate

Apply online for a copy civil partnership certificate

2. Applying by post

You can download a birth, death, marriage or civil partnership application form. Completed forms must be returned to us at the following address:

The Register Office, Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Leicester, LE1 9BG.

You should include a stamped addressed envelope with your application. If one is not included - your certificate will be sent by second class post.

Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Leicester City Council.

How long does it take?

Due to the current situation with coronavirus, certificates could take up to 15 working days to issue and not 6 as stated on the receipt. They will be processed as soon as possible.

Certificates will be sent via the postal option you have selected. All overseas applications will be sent via standard post.

Please allow enough time before contacting us with regards to your order. Any unnecessary contact may delay your application and the processing of others.

If you are unable to supply specific information, it may take longer for us to locate the entry.

Refunds

£1 will be retained from your payment if you have applied to the wrong office, there is no trace of the record or there is not enough information provided for a certificate. Further details can be found in the terms and conditions below.

If you apply for a short birth certificate by mistake, you will need to reapply for the full certificate and pay the statutory fee again. Short birth certificates have very limited use. They only show the child’s name, date of birth, place of birth and gender.

Warning

Beware of companies overcharging for replacement birth, death or marriage certificates. A number of private services have been set up online, which often appear to be official. They may pay to appear at the top of internet search results and listings on websites to grab your attention. However, they can charge you extra administration fees, and ask you to call premium rate telephone lines. In most cases, you will have paid more for exactly the same service.

Have any questions?

See if our frequently asked questions can help you.

Contact us

Write to us: Leicester Register Office, Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Leicester, LE1 9BG
Ring us on: 0116 454 1000.