Since 1837, it has been a legal requirement that all Births, Marriages and Deaths are recorded in the UK. This was done at a Register Office each of which had its own area of responsibility.
An explanation of how Registration was done, and recorded, can be found at the General Register Office website 1 . Their page also explains the cost of a Certificate (Standard Service is currently £11.00).
Copies of Certificates can be obtained from the General Register Office through their Certificate Ordering Service 2 .
References and Links
1.
Certificate Ordering Service – Most Customers Want To Know. http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/most_customers_want_to_know.asp#FamilyHistory1.
2.
Certificate ordering service. www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/.