Baptisms and Birth Records in the UK

What is a Birth Record?

A birth record is a certificate that states the date and place an individual was born. These records are available from 1837 onwards as published by the GRO. You can also order a copy of a birth certificate if you need to, which can show you more information about the birth.

Birth Records: 1837 - 2004

Birth records can be found at BMDindex.co.uk, which you can access via TheGenealogist. 'BMD' stands for Births, Marriages & Deaths records kept by the General Register Office (GRO) of England & Wales, part of the National Office of Statistics (NOS). These records have been kept by law since 1837, detailing every birth, marriage and death recorded in England & Wales since that date.

Information you can find on a birth record is as follows:

• Full Name of child
• Mother's Maiden Name
• Date of registration
• Registration district
• Volume number and Page number

If you want more information, then you can order a full birth certificate, which can give you the following:

• Full Name of child
• Sex of child
• Date & Place of birth
• Mother's maiden name
• Informant's name/address/relationship to child
• Full name and occupation of the father (if married to mother, if attended with the mother, if signed registration entry - from 1969)
• Place of birth of both parents

For records before 1837, you will have to look at Baptism Records.