I ordered 4 certificates on 23 May. Three arrived, (one marriage and 2 out of three death certs) despatched 30 May, however, I specifically asked that the death certificates I had ordered be checked to see if the lady concerned was a widow of a man named Richard.
The two certificates I received had the correct name of the lady concerned, but neither certificate showed that she was a widow of anyone and, in fact, one of the certificates was for a 14 month old baby.
I wrote to GRO complaining that the checking had obviously not been done and that I wanted a refund for the certificates that had been sent that I didn't want. They refunded £4. To my mind that is what I would have got for checking one certificate that was not what I wanted. I have written again as I think I should be entitled to £8, and also the 3rd death certificate has not been received and it is now a week overdue.
The only thought I have is that perhaps someone checked the 3rd certificate and that is the one for which I have the refund. However, normally when that happens they advise you which certificate has been checked.
What is it with the government and merging departments. It seems to me that what always happens is that the department that was working well, once merged with a not very good department, goes downhill too.
Lizzie
