Rochdale Borough Council

COVID-19: following the latest government advice, we've decided to close Rochdale Register Office. This means you can't apply for any copy certificates at the moment.

We'll continue to review this decision closely, carefully and frequently and will update this website if anything changes.

A copy certificate is a certified copy of a birth, death or marriage register entry.

Since 1837 ​we've been responsible for recording all the births, deaths and marriages which take place in Rochdale borough.

Certificates you can get from Rochdale Register Office

You can get birth, death and marriage copy certificates from us for the following areas:

• Rochdale, Heywood, Milnrow and Littleborough - all certificates from 1837 to present day.
• Middleton - all certificates from 1837-1933 and 1974 to present day. You can get certificates between 1933 and 1974 from Oldham Council. Apply for a copy certificate from Oldham Council.
• Whitworth - all certificates from 1837-1974. You can get certificates from 1975 to present day from Rossendale Council. Apply for a copy certificate from Rossendale Council.

If the birth, death or marriage took place outside of the borough, you'll need to apply for a copy certificate from the council responsible for the area where it took place, instead.

Apply for a copy of a certificate

You can apply for a copy birth, death or marriage certificate using either our priority service or our standard service, depending on how quickly you need the certificate

Please note: central government set the fees for copy certificates.

Priority service copy certificate application

If you need a copy certificate same day or next day, apply using our priority service. Available Monday-Friday only.

1. You can apply online, over the phone or in person. To apply:
   • Online - complete and submit the relevant application form below. You'll still need to ring us to pay for the fee.
   • Over the phone - ring us using the contact details on this page.
   • In person - go to Rochdale Register Office and complete an application form.
2. It costs:
   • £35 if you apply in person or online.
   • £40 if you ring us to apply.
3. If you apply online, ring us to pay the application fee by credit or debit card. Please wait at least 2 hours after your submit your form before calling. You'll need to pay within 2 working days or we'll cancel your application.
4. If we receive your payment before 3pm, you can collect your certificate from the register office on the same working day. If you pay after 3pm, you can collect your certificate the next working day.
5. Alternatively, we can send your copy certificate to your address using 1st class post within 24 hours of receiving your application and payment.
   
   

Standard service copy certificate application

To get a copy certificate within 5 working days, apply using our standard service.

1. You can apply online, in person or by post. To apply:
   • Online - complete and submit the relevant application form below. You'll still need to ring us to pay for the fee.
   • In person - go to Rochdale Register Office and complete an application form.
   • By post - send us all the information about the copy certificate you want, a stamped addressed envelope (SAE) and a cheque or postal order for the application fee.
2. It costs £11.
3. If you apply online, ring us to pay the application fee by credit or debit card. Please wait at least 2 hours after you submit your form before calling. You'll need to pay within 2 working days or we'll cancel your application.
4. Once you've paid, you can collect your certificate from the register office after 5 working days.  
5. Alternatively, we can send your copy certificate to your address using 2nd class post. You should receive it within 15 working days of making the payment.
6. If you've applied by post, you application will be processed within 5 working days.
   
   

Application forms to apply for copy certificates

Use the relevant online application form below to apply for a copy certificate using our priority or standard service.

Birth certificate - apply for a copy online (opens in a new window)

Death certificate - apply for a copy online (opens in a new window)

Marriage certificate - apply for a copy online (opens in a new window)

Information you'll need to apply for a copy certificate

You'll need to tell us your name and address, your reasons for wanting the certificate and your relationship to the person or people listed on the certificate.

You'll also need to know:

• Birth certificate
  The full name of the person, date of birth, place of birth and names of the parents and mother's maiden name.
• Death certificate
  The full name, marital status and occupation of the deceased, the date of death and the place of death.
• Marriage certificate
  The full names and ages of both people at the time of the wedding, date of the wedding and place of the wedding.