Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know if you can order someone else's birth cert for your self when you are not related and you don't know them and they are still alive?

Try it……….

Seems a strange thing to do though

Its do with adoption

Tread very carefully

Generally speaking, yes, you can.

If the birth was in England/Wales - through GRO.
In Scotland, through Scotlands People.

GRO - you need to know either the GRO ref number, or else at least the person's birth name, place of birth, and year of birth +/-1.
But if the birth was less than 50 years ago, you need to know the person's name, place of birth, exact DOB, and both parents' names.

Scotlands People - for births in the last few years (approx 4 or 5 years), if the search result for the birth record doesn't say "Order certificate", you will have to apply to the registrar of the place where the person was born. The registrar will want to know exact DOB and parents' names.

And note ErikaH's warning!

I did this for a friend whose tree I was researching. The child was born in 1955. Written at the end of the certificate was the word "adopted". Fortunately, the family knew of this.

Annie

I also applied for a certificate so for someone born in 1958. That also had adopted on it in the top right hand corner.
Pat.