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Original poster

would you send your birth certificate away for a job

39 replies

Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 17/03/2021 07:31

if it meant not getting it back?
and sending it abroad

what could happen?
you can just get a replacement can't you?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 17/03/2021 07:32

Why do they need the actual copy? Can it not be scanned and emailed?

ufucoffee · 17/03/2021 07:32

No. But I'd email them a photo of it

revelsandrose · 17/03/2021 07:34

Go to a post office/solicitor and get them to certify it then send the certified copy.

Original poster
Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 17/03/2021 07:34

They want originals
what is the worst that could happen?

OP posts:
ElizaLaLa · 17/03/2021 07:34

@Inthevirtualwaitingroom

They want originals what is the worst that could happen?
Someone steals your identity.
DinosaurDiana · 17/03/2021 07:35

Could somebody use it to pretend to be you, get you into debt etc ?

PickAChew · 17/03/2021 07:35

That you send it to total charlatans who use it dishonestly.

TeenMinusTests · 17/03/2021 07:35

I'd get a certified copy at solicitors or from the GRO.
I wouldn't send the original if they aren't sending it back!

loveislikeabutterfly · 17/03/2021 07:38

You can always order another from the registration district where you were born, and that will still be classed as original. You could send that new one off then, or the old one you already have.

Original poster
Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 17/03/2021 07:42

yes, i am not sure how having possession of a birth certificate is any proof to allow identity theft

OP posts:
revelsandrose · 17/03/2021 07:46

Most places wouldn't accept only a birth certificate anyway as it has no photo, address or signature. Still wouldn't want to just give an original away. Why can't they just post it back? Have you asked if they will accept a certified copy?

Original poster
Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 17/03/2021 07:49

it is my dd,
she could get a copy and send that but it will cost her.

OP posts:
lilyfire · 17/03/2021 08:03

Crown copyright applies so you can’t get a copy certified by a solicitor etc. You can get one from GRO. Anyone can order anyone’s birth certificate from GRO so I wouldn’t worry too much about identity theft.

thecognoscenti · 17/03/2021 08:05

@lilyfire

Crown copyright applies so you can’t get a copy certified by a solicitor etc. You can get one from GRO. Anyone can order anyone’s birth certificate from GRO so I wouldn’t worry too much about identity theft.
All of this. Solicitors can't legitimately certify a copy. Getting a copy from the GRO is easy and costs £11 I think. Anyone can order a GRO copy, and given that's the case and the certificate doesn't include any address or photo it's unusual that it would be accepted as ID.
Findahouse21 · 17/03/2021 08:07

I had to provide 3 documents for my crb check (years ago now). The headteacher verified them but put them in his shredding tray instead of the our tray... It was a pain but I managed to replace my birth certificate and driving licence easily. Expensive but not hard. National insurance card never got replaced though

IstandwithJackieWeaver · 17/03/2021 08:10

Can a solicitor not certify a copy as long as they have seen the original?

HasaDigaEebowai · 17/03/2021 08:13

Solicitors can certify a copy Confused. I even have a special stamp to do it. We obviously need to see the original to do this.

Don't send an original document anywhere, particularly not overseas.

Tangogolf55 · 17/03/2021 08:18

God no!

Brunt0n · 17/03/2021 08:18

I would get a certified copy at the post office. It costs £12. I just did this last week (with passports and a mortgage statement) for an ID check to do with buying our new house.

DianaT1969 · 17/03/2021 08:22

Although you say sending a copy will cost her - she'll be buying a copy anyway if she sends her original off, never to be returned.
I would query the job. Why do they need it? Why can't they return it?

ChancesWhatChances · 17/03/2021 08:25

You can get another copy of your birth certificate from the registrars office for less than £20. The only thing that can happen is someone uses your birth certificate to obtain I.D (and can therefore open bank accounts, take out loans etc) in your name. That’s not at all likely to happen if it’s an employer receiving it. Unless you’re going to be a domestic servant in an Asian country in which case I strongly advise you don’t, don’t go at all, stay where you are and seek employment in the country you’re in. Too many horror stories in the news about domestic servants trapped in Asia.

Original poster
Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 17/03/2021 08:34

it is for teaching in an asian country

OP posts:
DancesWithDaffodils · 17/03/2021 08:55

No, I wouldnt. I cant believe a big multinational would ask for this, and I wouldn't send it to a small company or individual - I'd wait until I could take it in person.
Why wont they return it? Or is that just your worst case scenario?
Has she actually got this job, or are they wanting ID before interview?

Original poster
Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 17/03/2021 18:17

part way through the process, had an interview, been accepted, as long as there are schools willing to accept.

OP posts:
AlphabetDinosaur · 17/03/2021 19:29

Anyone can apply for a copy of your birth certificate from the GRO website anyway. They don't even need to be related to you in anyway so if someone wanted to get a copy of someone else's birth certificate they can do so for £11. I wouldn't send it off until I'd got a spare copy though. We ordered 3 copies so that we always have one at home even when we've had to send them to embassies etc...