UK Official Documents Apostille | Birth, Marriage, Death, ACRO

UK Official Records

Solicitor-led support for documents that need to be accepted overseas

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ACRO Police Certificates

For immigration, visa, employment or overseas use.

General Register Office Certificates

Birth, marriage, death and adoption certificates.

Divorce Documents

From HM Courts & Tribunals Service.

From £68 per document

Email: officialrecords@ginkgoadvisory.com

KH is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England and Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

He is registered with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for apostille purposes. KH personally oversees Ginkgo Advisory’s document certification and apostille work to help ensure careful, accurate and consistent handling of each matter.

KH Lam, LLB, LLM
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory

How our UK official records service works

UK Official Documents

We help obtain UK official documents, including GRO certificates, ACRO Certificates and divorce documents.

Solicitor Certification

Where required, our solicitor certifies the document with appropriate wording for FCDO apostille submission purposes.

FCDO Apostille

We arrange submission to the UK FCDO and manage the apostille application through the official process.

Embassy Attestation

We arrange embassy attestation after FCDO apostille when the destination country requires legalisation.

Clear, professional and reliable service

I had a very positive experience with Ginkgo Advisory and would happily recommend them.

They were professional, responsive, and very easy to work with. What really stood out was that even at an early stage—before I had formally engaged the firm—they were already willing to join discussions, help us think through the process, and clarify requirements with the overseas party. This was extremely helpful, as the other side was not very clear about what documents were needed or in what format.

They helped bring structure and clarity to what could otherwise have been a confusing situation. Once everything was confirmed, the notarisation and Apostille work was handled efficiently and without unnecessary back-and-forth. Communication throughout was clear and timely, which made the whole process much less stressful.

Overall, a reliable, well-organised, and trustworthy service. I would definitely work with Ginkgo Advisory again.

Valen M.

Super friendly and helpful

Ginkgo were so helpful with me. They took what was a stressful situation and made everything so easy for me. They were really helpful through every step and were prompt with communication. 1000% would recommend them. I owe them so much!!

Rob B.

Documents we commonly assist with

ACRO certificates · Birth, marriage and death certificates · Divorce documents

Birth Certificates

Are the certificates supplied ‘long-form’?

Yes. All British birth certificates we supply are the long-form version, which includes full parents’ details. This is the format required for almost all official and legal purposes.

What information is included on a UK birth certificate?

A UK birth certificate typically includes the following details:

– Registration district, sub-district, and county
– Full name of the person born
– Date of birth (note: the time of birth is not usually shown)
– Place of birth
– Father’s full name and occupation (if recorded)
– Mother’s full name and maiden name (plus any previous names)
– Signature, description, and residence of the informant
– Date of registration
– Signature of the registrar
– Date the certificate was produced

The certificate is not mine. Can I still order one?

Yes. Under UK law, birth certificates are public records, which means anyone can request a duplicate.

For births registered within the past 50 years, you must provide the full details (including the exact date of birth and parents’ names, including the mother’s maiden name). This requirement is in place to protect against identity fraud.

Is the time of birth included on a birth certificate?

No. The time of birth is not usually recorded on UK birth certificates.

Exceptions apply for multiple births (e.g. twins) and some Scottish registrations. Where the time of birth is not recorded, it cannot be added — this information may only appear in medical records, which are not accessible through birth certificates.

Which birth certificates are available?

Birth certificates registered in England or Wales are available from July 1st 1837 to the present day. For Scottish registrations, certificates have been available since 1855. For Northern Ireland it is 1864.

Can the certificates be used officially overseas?

Yes. The certificates we supply are certified, legal copies of the originals.

However, some overseas authorities may require the certificate to be legalised (for example, with an apostille or embassy attestation). Requirements vary, so we recommend checking directly with the authority requesting the certificate.

I don’t have all the information. Can you still supply a copy certificate?

Yes. The information required depends on when the birth was registered:

– Within the past 50 years – all sections of the application form must be completed.
– More than 50 years ago – we only need the full name (or at least forename and surname), date or year of birth, and ideally the location.

If the name is common, we may require additional details to ensure the correct certificate is located. We will check records across a 5-year period as standard; if a wider search is needed, we will contact you to confirm the details.

Are the certificates suitable for passport and visa applications?

Yes. All certificates we supply are the long-form version, which is the format required for passport and visa applications.

Marriage Certificates

What information will I find on a marriage certificate?

A UK marriage certificate typically includes:

– Registration district, sub-district, and county
– Full name of both partners (including maiden name if applicable)
– Age of both parties
– Date and place of marriage
– Profession and residence of both parties at the time of marriage
– Father’s full name and profession for both parties
– Denomination of ceremony
– Names and signatures of two witnesses
– Date of registration
– Name of the registrar and the official conducting the ceremony
– Date the certificate was produced

The certificate is not mine. Can I still order one?

Yes. Under UK law, marriage certificates are public records, so anyone can request a duplicate copy.

Which marriage certificates are available?

England and Wales: from July 1st, 1837 to the present. Scotland: from 1855. Northern Ireland: from 1864.

Can the certificates be used officially overseas?

Yes. The certificates are legal copies of the original. However, some overseas authorities require the certificate to be legalised (e.g. with an apostille or embassy attestation). Requirements vary, so please check with the authority requesting the document.

The marriage was recent. Can you still supply a replacement?

Yes. We can supply most marriage certificates. However, certificates for marriages within the past 18 months may take slightly longer to obtain.

I don’t have all the information. Can you still supply a copy certificate?

Yes. We require at least:

– The name of either party
– The date or year of marriage
– The place or area where the marriage took place

If the name is common, further details may be needed to ensure the correct certificate is located. We will search records for up to 5 years as standard; if a wider search is required, we will contact you.

Are the certificates suitable for official purposes?

Yes. The marriage certificates supplied are certified copies of the originals and are legally admissible for official use.

Death Certificates

What information will I find on a death certificate?

A UK death certificate typically includes:

– Registration district, sub-district, and county
– Full name of the deceased
– Date and place of death
– Sex
– Maiden name (if previously married)
– Place and date of birth
– Full name of the informant
– Relationship of the informant to the deceased
– Address of the informant
– Cause of death
– Name of coroner (where applicable)
– Date of registration
– Name of registrar
– Date the certificate was produced

Can anyone order a death certificate?

Yes. Under UK law, death certificates are public records, so anyone can request a duplicate copy.

Which death certificates are available?

England and Wales: from July 1st, 1837 to the present. Scotland: from 1855. Northern Ireland: from 1864.

Can the certificates be used officially overseas?

Yes. The certificates are certified, legal copies of the originals. However, some overseas authorities require the certificate to be legalised (e.g. with an apostille or embassy attestation). Requirements vary, so please check with the requesting authority.

The death was recent. Can you still supply a replacement?

Yes. We can supply certificates up to the present day. However, deaths registered since 2007 may take slightly longer to process, as the central index is not yet fully available and a manual search may be required.

I don’t have all the information. Can you still supply a copy certificate?

Yes. We need at least the deceased’s full name, the location of registration, and the approximate year of death. If the name is common, we may need additional details to ensure the correct certificate is located. We search records across a 5-year period as standard; if a wider search is required, we will contact you.

Are the certificates suitable for official purposes?

Yes. The death certificates supplied are certified copies of the originals and are legally admissible for official use.

Adoption Certificates

What information will I find on an adoption certificate?

A UK adoption certificate typically includes:

– Registration district, sub-district, and county of birth
– Adopted full name of the person born
– Date of birth (time is not usually included)
– Adoptive father’s full name
– Adoptive mother’s full name
– Address of adoptive parents
– Occupation of adoptive parents (not always shown)
– Date of Adoption Order
– Court where the adoption was administered
– Date the entry was registered
– Signature of the appointed officer
– Date the certificate was produced

The certificate is not mine. Can I still order one?

Yes. Anyone can request a duplicate adoption certificate, provided the necessary details are supplied. For adoptions within the past 50 years, full details (including date of birth and adoptive parents’ names) are required to prevent identity fraud.

What dates are records available from?

England and Wales: from January 1st, 1927 to the present. Scotland: from 1930. Northern Ireland: from 1931.

Are the certificates supplied ‘long-form’?

Yes. All adoption certificates we supply are the long-form version, which includes full adoptive parents’ details. This format is required for almost all official and legal purposes.

I am adopted. Do I need a birth certificate or an adoption certificate?

This depends on the purpose. If you need the certificate to prove identity, you should request an adoption certificate, which replaces the birth certificate for adopted persons. If you need information about your natural birth, this will be on your original birth certificate. Please note, we would need your original birth name before we can supply a copy of the original certificate.

Can you help me find my natural parents?

In most cases, no. Unless you already know your natural birth name, we cannot assist. You should contact the Adoptions Section at the General Register Office.

Can the certificates be used officially overseas?

Yes. The certificates are certified, legal copies of the originals. However, some overseas authorities may require them to be legalised (e.g. with an apostille). Please check with the authority requesting the document.

The adoption was within the past 18 months. Can you still supply a replacement?

Yes. We can supply certificates for recent adoptions, although they may take slightly longer to obtain due to the UK archive system.

Are the certificates suitable for passport and visa applications?

Yes. The adoption certificates supplied are the long-form version, which is the format required for passport and visa applications.

Divorce Records

Are these documents suitable for marriages and residency applications?

Yes. Divorce documents supplied by the UK courts are valid for proving no impediment to marriage and for supporting residency applications.

Can the documents be used officially overseas?

Yes. The documents are certified, legal copies of the originals. However, some overseas authorities may require them to be legalised (e.g. with an apostille). Please check with the requesting authority.

The decree is not mine. Can I still order a copy?

Yes. Under UK law, Decree Absolutes (divorce decrees) are public records, which means anyone can request a duplicate copy.

The marriage was dissolved in Scotland. Can you provide copies?

Yes. In Scotland, divorces before 1 May 1984 were recorded against the original marriage entry. Divorces notified on or after that date were entered in a separate Register of Divorces, from which copy extracts can be issued.