English & Welsh Certificates Explained
This page gives details of what information is provided on birth, marriage and death certificates in England and Wales.
FULL Birth Certificate Information
Marriage Certificate Information
Death Certificate Information
Please be aware that any certificates you order may not always provide all of the information that you hoped for.
FULL Birth Certificate
A full birth certificate registered before June 1969 normally includes:-
- Name, date and place of birth.
- Father's name and occupation.
- Mother's name and maiden surname.
Full birth certificates registered from June 1969 include the above information and both parents' places of birth. From 1984 the mother's occupation is also included.
Marriage Certificate
Details on a marriage certificate normally include:-
- Date and place of marriage.
- Name, age and marital status of man and woman.
- Bride and groom's fathers' names.
- Names of witnesses.
- Name of person who solemnised the marriage.
Death Certificate
Details on a death certificate normally include:-
- Name, date and place of death.
- Age at death.
- Occupation.
- Cause of death.
- The person who gave the information for the death registration.
Death certificates registered from June 1969 include the above information and also the date and place of birth of the deceased. The maiden name of a married woman is also included from June 1969.