You can only request a copy certificate online or by phone, these cannot be requested in person.
For births, deaths, marriages or civil partnerships that took place outside of Leeds, speak to the local register office.
Cost and delivery times
You can order copies of certificates online and we will post these to you. The cost depends on how soon you want them.
Postage
Priority certificates are posted first class. Standard certificates are sent second class.
There is no guaranteed timescale for delivery, so please allow extra time for your certificate to reach you.
If you live outside the UK, we will send it by International Airmail, with an additional postage charge of £2.50.
Standard delivery of a certificate
Standard delivery certificates cost £12.50 for each copy with no extra cost for postage.
The processing time for standard certificate orders is currently around 4 weeks. This can vary depending on demand and may take longer.
Priority service
Priority copy certificates cost £38.50 for each copy with no extra cost for postage.
If you order:
- before midday (12pm), we will issue by the next working day
- after midday (12pm), we will issue within two working days
Examples
Order Thursday morning
Certificate will be processed by Friday.
Order Friday afternoon
Certificate will be processed by Tuesday. The second working day after the weekend.
If you need a certificate urgently
The quickest way to get your certificate is to order a priority copy certificate for £38.50 for each copy, and collect from our Merrion House office.
Order a priority certificate by calling 0113 222 4408 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, except Wednesdays when we are open from 10am) and request collection from our Merrion House office.
Collections are available between 2pm and 3:30pm on working day afternoons only. You will be allocated the date of collection during your call.
Collection is only available for priority certificates.
What you will need to tell us
To help us find the certificate you will need to provide some details. You will also need to provide an email address so we can send an email to confirm your order and delivery details.
Birth certificate
You will need:
- the full name of the person on the certificate
- their date of birth
- the names of their parents, including the mother's maiden name if possible
- your email address
Death certificate
You will need:
- the full name of the deceased
- their date of death
- their place of death
- your email address
Copy death certificates if the death has been referred to a coroner
If the death has been referred to a coroner, you need to wait before getting a copy of the death certificate.
The coroner will contact the register office and they will let you know when the death can be registered. Contact the coroner for more information.
Marriage or civil partnership
You will need:
- the full name of the couple
- the date of marriage or civil partnership
- the name of the church or venue where the ceremony took place
- your email address
Certificates over 50 years old
If you do not know the exact date for a certificate issued over 50 years old, we will search our records:
- two years either side of the year you give for birth and marriage certificates
- for only the year you give for a death certificate
What we do with your information
The council has a statutory duty to register births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships and to administer citizenship services on behalf of the Home Office. Your information will only be used to help us with your registration appointment, your ceremony or your application for copy certificates. We will not share this information with anyone else unless we are required to by law. Read more about how we process your personal data in our privacy policy.
Copy certificates will be printed, photocopied or handwritten certified copies depending on the format of the original. All certificates will be sent folded in an A5 envelope.
If we cannot find your certificate
We still charge a search fee if we are not able to find a certificate with the information you have given. The charges are:
- £5 for a standard certificate
- £10 for a priority certificate
You will receive a refund for your order, minus the search fee amount for each certificate we are not able to find.
How to order
Online
Order copy certificates using our online form. You will need a credit or debit card to make a payment.
By phone
You can order copy certificates by calling us on 0113 222 4408 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, except Wednesdays when we are open from 10am). You will need a credit or debit card to make a payment.
If you live outside of the UK
If you live outside of the United Kingdom and want to order a copy certificate, call us.
0113 222 4408
(Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, except Wednesdays when we are open from 10am).
Family history research
If you are researching your family history, our records in Leeds start from the year 1837 for births, deaths and marriages. Civil partnership start from the year 2005.
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