tom169

Maybe? I'd get the full length one now. It's not much expense.

Pulaski

It depends what purpose you're using it for. A short-form birth certificate works for proving that "you are you", but if for example you are relying on it to prove ancestral right to citizenship or a passport through one or other parent then you would need the long form that shows your parents' information.

BritInParis

For England and Wales the mother's occupation wasn't included until April 1995 although from the mid-1980s onward the registrar would often jot it in anyway. Mothers will only be included on marriage certificates starting this year.

If you were born in England or Wales then you can easily order your full birth certificate for £9.25 from the General Register Office. Whether you will receive a RFE or not I would suggest it's a good idea to do this now regardless in order to have a copy on file. The 'short' birth certificate is next to useless for any administrative procedures either in the UK or abroad.

TheKingOfHearts

Thanks, I've actually gone ahead and done that.

Surprisingly they don't charge more for postage outside of the UK, unless it's "signed for" which seems a little odd - but I won't complain.

BritInParis

It'll be sent by the cheapest method possibly so be prepared to wait a while for it if you're in the US.