Why were people given birth certificates?

[Mart 'n' Al]

Guy, thanks for such a full response.

Martin

[silvery]

You need to know the exact date of birth. 

Only if you apply online.
If you apply in person at a Superitendant Registrar's office you don't and if you apply by post you don't.
Legally you only need two things to apply for a birth certificate from the GRO.
1) The GRO Index Reference Number.
2) The correct fee.

Cheers
Guy

Odd then that I had to supply my daughter's exact date when I went in person to get a duplicate birth certificate. 

[Guy Etchells]

You need to know the exact date of birth. 

Only if you apply online.
If you apply in person at a Superitendant Registrar's office you don't and if you apply by post you don't.
Legally you only need two things to apply for a birth certificate from the GRO.
1) The GRO Index Reference Number.
2) The correct fee.

Cheers
Guy

Odd then that I had to supply my daughter's exact date when I went in person to get a duplicate birth certificate. 

Did you try refusing?

Cheers
Guy

[CarolA3]

From the horse's mouth - GRO website:

[Guy Etchells]

From the horse's mouth - GRO website:

As I said only when you order online.
If you order by phone, by post or in person that office policy does not apply as it is only policy.
By law they have to provide anyone who asks for a certificate and who pays the fee with a certificate, they have no option.
The office policy is there to put off the timid.
Cheers
Guy

[AntonyMMM]

What Guy said .....

Some organisations make policies for their own reasons that have no backing in law.