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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How many birth certificates do we need? Aibu to want 4?

48 replies

bottlesandcans · 25/09/2017 03:40

Aibu to want to buy 3/4 birth certificates for DD when we register her today?
One each for DH and I, one to send to child benefit and a spare?

OP posts:
Redglitter · 25/09/2017 03:44

Why do you need one each? It'll only be getting put in a drawer or something. 2 seems plenty

OlennasWimple · 25/09/2017 03:45

They send the certificate back after processing your CB claim

Original poster
bottlesandcans · 25/09/2017 03:58

PFB I guess! So 2 is fine?
Sorry I've never done this before so I just don't know.

They definitely send the birth certificate back?

OP posts:
BusyBeez99 · 25/09/2017 04:02

I got the original plus a certified copy and used the latter to send off. It was always returned

Longdistance · 25/09/2017 04:03

We had a basic birth certificate, and the more formal one, so one of each. They send the birth certificates back. They live in a drawer now, and only come out for passport renewal and school admissions (when asked).

SerfTerf · 25/09/2017 04:16

I got five, I think, the last time. I'd learnt from having too few the previous times. If you're going to want to apply for a passport and postal savings a/c by post and CHB all at the same time (for example), it's very handy.

SerfTerf · 25/09/2017 04:17

By five, I mean the free short one and four long ones. You can't do anything with the short one anymore.

RoryItsSnowing · 25/09/2017 04:19

We bought 5 long ones for passport applications etc. I know most places return but things sometimes get lost on their way back. I don't understand why you wouldn't get extra copies just in case.

SerfTerf · 25/09/2017 04:24

Come to think of it I bought four or five marriage certificates too, and were down to two now, so it was the right call.

But I'm also someone who buys three pairs of any good shoes I find, buys stamps by the sheet and buys pants in dozens so make of that what you will Smile

crisscrosscranky · 25/09/2017 04:25

I bought three. It was an extra £4 per certificate at the registration appt but £12 if you want to order one later on. It meant I could do child benefit, passport and bank account without having to wait for certificates to be returned

BoomBoomsCousin · 25/09/2017 04:31

You can easily get more later. It isn't a one time deal. Two should be plenty in normal circus. One to send off for things (places generally send them back) and one to have to hand and be a back up when you realise you haven't had the sending off one back after all (or didn't file it away again properly when you did get it back Blush )! If you want to get a passport for her straight away it might be handy to have three as that can take time and you'll probably want to do a bunch of other things too. But normally two is more than enough and one is perfectly reasonable if you're more organized than me.

Original poster
bottlesandcans · 25/09/2017 04:40

It's £4 on the day and then £10 later on!
Unbelievable..

So what is the consensus? 2 or 4 Grin

OP posts:
Spam88 · 25/09/2017 04:45

We just got two, and only because I thought it'd be useful for her to have a long one in future if she needs to prove her right to work in the uk while her passport happens to be off for renewal (speaking from experience...).

Reppin · 25/09/2017 04:45

Due to the price difference, you may as well get 4. I did not know you needed that many! My kids (late teens) only ever had one.

Reppin · 25/09/2017 04:46

Although they were the long versions. (free) My kids do not have short versions.

SerfTerf · 25/09/2017 04:47

I'm sure with my older ones Reppin (also late teens) you didn't have to show them for so many things and when you did, the short form one was often acceptable. Have I dreamt that? I've even got a notion that nurseries back then never asked for them.

Reppin · 25/09/2017 04:52

I think that must have been the case SerfTerf because I surely would have lost them otherwise!

tealandteal · 25/09/2017 05:56

We registered a few weeks ago, got the free short version and paid for two long versions. We were asked to take along a completed CB form and ID for both of us. The registrar checked the form and verified it, sent it off so we didn't have to send a certificate anywhere

donajimena · 25/09/2017 06:08

I'd get four. I've just paid £20 for two extra.

gamerwidow · 25/09/2017 06:47

I got 2 for Dd 7 years ago, the long and the short one and I have never needed more.
I only have 1 birth certificate myself and it's not caused an issue.

PotteringAlong · 25/09/2017 06:49

You don't have to send the birth certificate off to get child benefit - take the forms along when you register the birth and the registrar can certify them and send them off there and then.

BlackeyedSusan · 25/09/2017 06:49

not unreasonable.

the bloody things disappear when you need them.

RainbowPastel · 25/09/2017 06:52

Only ever needed one.

HotelEuphoria · 25/09/2017 07:16

A short one and a long one did me. Still have both for north DC.

Ceto · 25/09/2017 07:19

I've only ever needed the original two.