The Channel Islands Family History Society

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q. How can I obtain a Jersey Birth / Marriage / Death certificate ?

A. The Civil Registration of Births Marriages and Deaths of all the twelve parishes in Jersey commenced in August 1842. The law governing Civil Registration in Jersey was updated in 2001. when the Marriage and Civil Status (Jersey) Law 2001 was passed. Copies of all the Registers are maintained by:
The Superintendent Registrar,
10 Royal Square
St Helier
Jersey
JE2 4WA
(Tel: +44 (0) 1534 441335)

If you can supply the exact names, date and place of the event (or the index reference numbers) the fee for supplying an extract from the records is £20 per certificate. Please include postage and handling fee: For U.K. 50p, for Europe £1, elsewhere £2.

If research is required, this is charged as follows: Searching for a Birth or Death covering a five-year period is £10, searching for a Marriage covering a five-year period is £20. Fees for extracts and research are payable by sterling cheque drawn on a British Bank in favour of the 'Treasurer of the States', or by British Postal Order.

  • There is at present no facilities for on-line requests but the Superintendent Registrar will be offering an email enquiry service soon.
  • Volumes of the Reference Indexes are available also at the Jersey Archive and the Société Jersiaise.

Q. What information will I find on Jersey BMD certificates ?

A.     Birth Certificate:

  • Date and Place of Birth
  • Given Name(s)
  • Sex
  • Name and Surname of Father *
  • Name and Maiden Surname of Mother
  • Rank or Profession of Father
  • Signature, Description and Residence of Informant
  • Date of Registration
  • Signature of Registrar
*  In cases of illegitimacy  the father's name was never recorded.     From 2001 onwards, both parties are now recorded
 

Marriage Certificate:

  • When Married
  • Given and Family names of both Parties
  • Age of both Parties
  • Condition of both Parties ( Bachelor, Spinster, Widow, etc.)
  • Rank, Trade or Profession of both Parties
  • Place of Residence at time of Marriage – both parties
  • Place of birth – both parties
  • Father's name and Surname – both parties
  • Rank, Trade or Profession of Father – both parties

Death Certificate:

  • Date and Place of Death
  • Name and Surname
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Rank or Profession
  • Cause of Death
  • Signature, Description and Residence of Informant
  • Date of Registration
  • Signature of Registrar

Q. How can I obtain a Jersey B/M/D certificate for events before August 1842?

A. There are no Certificates as such, for only ecclesiastical records are available and these are now conserved at the Jersey Archive. The event details vary enormously, some are very brief, it depended on the officials at the ecclesiastical establishment. Contact the Jersey Archive at archive [at] jerseyheritage [dot] org where a photocopy of the relevant record may be made. There is a £5 charge for this service together with the pertaining postage charges.