Records and certificates
Access to records and copy certificates
Certificates: see also
Please follow the onscreen prompts carefully.
Your certificate order will be processed only if you click 'finish' at the conclusion of the payment screen.
Records held at the Register Office
The records held at the Register Office relate to the births, deaths and marriages registered within the Wandsworth borough area since the introduction of the registration service in 1837.
Who can search records
Although by law the registers are not open to public inspection, certificates of entries are available to anyone who can provide sufficient information to trace a registered entry.
However, if you do not have sufficient information, you may, by prior appointment, carry out a general search of the indices which list by name the entries for each year, in the hope of finding reference to the entry you are seeking. Our staff will give you every guidance and assistance possible.
Searching records
If you are calling in person, our reception staff will issue you with an application form as soon as you arrive, and give advice on its completion, if required. We will then commence a search for the entry.
Provided you have supplied us with sufficient information to trace the entry, you should be supplied with your copy certificate within 30 minutes.
We will let you know if it is not possible to trace your entry within that time. We will post the copy certificate to you if you are unable to wait.
Copy certificates
Postal requests
If you write to us to obtain copies of certificates, the copies will be despatched within one working day, provided you have given us sufficient information to enable us to locate the appropriate records.
Online requests
If you apply online to obtain copies of certificates, the copies will be despatched the same day if they are received before 3pm. If you are applying over the weekend we will process your order and send it out the following Monday.
Records that cannot be traced
Whether you call in person or write to us, if the record cannot be traced from the information supplied or it is not held in the Wandsworth Register Office, we will explain the position to you and give you any necessary guidance.
Order online
You may choose to order and pay for a certificate directly from the General Register Office.
