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Identity & Passport Service warn: don't pay too much for your replacement birth certificates
The Identity and
Passport Service (IPS) today warned of the danger of being ripped
off by companies overcharging for replacement birth certificates.
In some cases, companies charged more than three times the price
of a replacement birth certificates from the General Register
Office.
Customers can be charged up to £74.99 for an unofficial
'express' online service when the same express
service is £23.40 via the Identity & Passport Service.
IPS's standard certificate service is available for even
less - £9.25. This service is available through Directgov at www.directgov.gov.uk/gro
Advising people needing a replacement birth, marriage, death
or civil partnership certificate to save themselves money by using
the cheapest and official source, IPS Chief Executive and
Registrar General Sarah Rapson, said:
"There is just one official web service for England
and Wales, and anyone using an online service other than www.directgov.gov.uk/gro
is paying more than they need to.
"While other website services for birth certificates
and other replacement certificates like those for marriages and
civil partnerships can be found online, there is no reason the
public should pay more than necessary.
"The cheapest way to obtain birth certificates is
direct from the General Register Office via www.directgov.gov.uk/gro
or from local register offices.
For more information on how to obtain replacement
certificates go to www.directgov.gov.uk/gro
NOTES TO EDITORS 1. The Identity and
Passport Service (IPS) is an Executive Agency of the Home Office,
providing passports for British citizens and passport validation
services.
2. The General Register Office (GRO) became part of
IPS on 1 April 2008. GRO oversees the system of civil
registration, including births, stillbirths, adoptions, civil
partnerships, marriages and deaths, in England and Wales.
3.
The GRO online ordering service currently receives more than 3,800
online orders per day and 2.5 million views per month. In
2010/2011 we issued 1.5 million certificates.
4. For media
enquiries relating to GRO and life event registration, please
contact the Home Office Newsdesk on 020 7035 3535.
5. For
further information see www.directgov.gov.uk/gro
089/2011 6 September 2011
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Adam Murcutt
Phone: 020 7035 3862
adam.murcutt1@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
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