Genealogy Chat

Hi, I am based in Australia, and I am unsure on where to go 'On Line' to order birth, death and marriage certificates for Scotland. How do I do this? The two main areas are Fifeshire, Scotland and Hamilton, Scotland, Ta, Cath

Unless you need certs for legal reasons, you don't need to pay for certificates in Scotland. On ScotlandsPeople (a ppv site) you can get images of the actual register entries for the price of a few credits. (Different law in Scotland from England & Wales). Christine

Thanks :) What would I need to do if I actually needed the certs?

You can apply for the certs through the site. The info won't be any different because the certs only certify what's in the register (which is why I always go for marriage register copies, if I can, because they're the original and they have the actual handwriting of the people involved, not someone else's transcription). Christine

scotlandspeople have births from 1855 to 1905, deaths 1855 to 1955, marriages 1855 to 1930 which you can save to your computer or just print off with out ordering Parish records are 1553 to 1854 and all you get is what is on site but you have to order the records Cencus 1851 to 1901 which you can print off or save price is £6 for 30 credits If you want later certificates you will need to get in touch with the registers office and give information and they will charge then

Well said, Val. I should have included the specifics which you have been kind enough to note down here. Christine

that is ok I just wish English site was the same would be a lot better

Just realised - we ought to include the URL: http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk I agree about the English info - but it would require a change in the law. I gather that it has been considered, but I don't know how far they got with it - it isn't a political priority. Christine

There is another particularly good aspect about Scotlands People site: <<You will not lose your existing credits when your 7-day session is expired; when you buy more credits they will simply be added to your existing credits. >> Christine

Yes I agree and if you lose certificate you can go back in to the site and look at ones you have looked at so you are not charged again to look or print it off