to think it is way too simple to get a birth certificate

[starshaker]

On Friday I went in the the office to get duplicate certs for my twins so i can register them for nursery. Anyway it was very simple, walked in, gave names and year of birth (not even the date) hand over £30 and done.

Now is it just me that thinks it was too simple. They didnt ask who i was or what they were for.

Basically i could walk in and ask for anybodys birth certificate and given that it is the main thing people use for ID i could get a bank account or anything in somebody elses nam

Not really, in most places birth certs aren't accepted as they're not photo id.

Yep basically anyone can apply for a birth/marriage/death certificate. But birth certificates are NOT proof of identity, it actually says that on the birth certificate.

Ahhh ok fair enough. Was just wondering because when i got my driving licence i needed to provide my BC and a signed photo. Not sure if its the same now though

But , it is a start !

They are matter of public record, along with death certificates, probate, divorce documents etc

It would be difficult to do family history if you couldn't get hold of certificates easily.