If you have been asked to provide a birth certificate and you were born in the UK
You should arrange to obtain an official copy from the relevant registrar’s department in the area you were born.
If you do not have a birth certificate and you were adopted you can provide your adoption certificate. If you are unable to locate your adoption certificate, you should arrange to obtain an official copy from the relevant registrar’s department in the area where you were adopted.
If you were born in the UK but your birth was not registered for any reason and no adoption certificate is available / applicable, alternative documentation can be provided, such as a letter from a professional person stating that your birth wasn’t registered but that to the best of that person’s knowledge you were born in the UK. The letter should include your place of birth and the full name you were given at birth. As well as providing your details, the professional person should also provide details of their profession. This should include their job title, who they work for, where they are based and any other details they feel may be relevant.
Alternatively you can write a letter which states that, to the best of your knowledge, you were born in the UK but your birth was not registered. You should also include three forms of recent utility bill or benefit evidence showing your current name and address.
Examples of acceptable documentation are:
- Council Tax bill
- utility bill (water, gas, electric etc. mobile phone bills will not be accepted)
- Tax Credit letter
- bank / credit card statements
You should be aware that we are not obliged to accept any documentation that is considered to be unsatisfactory. However if it is a sensitive subject where no outside bodies have been involved, a letter from a family member can be considered.
If you have been asked to provide a birth certificate and you were born outside of the UK (including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands):
You should provide your passport, your UK driving licence and if applicable any letters sent to you from the Home Office. You should also include a covering letter advising why you cannot supply your birth certificate.
If you are a refugee then you should submit your most recent Home Office letter and your UK Travel Document issued by the UK Border Agency in place of your passport. You should also include a covering letter advising why you cannot supply your birth certificate.
If you do not have one of these forms of ID, you can provide a letter from one of the following;
- Consular officer - someone who works for an Embassy or Consul, either employed by the UK government or another country's government
- Minister of religion – such as a Rabbi, Priest or Imam
- Medical or legal practitioner – someone currently registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) such as a GP or consultant
- Established civil servant - someone who is employed by the Crown (excluding those employed by the Monarch herself) who has passed any compulsory probation period for new Civil Service employees
- Teacher – someone with a teaching qualification and who is working as a teacher currently
- Police officer – such as someone currently working within the UK police force
The person should preferably be someone based in the UK and should give details of your date, place and country of birth and your full name at birth.
As well as providing your details, the professional person should also provide details of their profession. This should include their job title, their employer, their contact details, their relationship to you and be written on headed paper, if applicable.
You should be aware that we are not obliged to accept any documentation that is considered to be unsatisfactory. However, if it is a sensitive subject where no outside bodies have been involved, a letter from a family member can be considered.