Hi Listers, Thanks to all those who have supplied info. If the death certificate falls into this "black hole" between 1985 and 1988[start of the 10 year rule] I may not be able to get the certificate under the 10 year rule, if the rule is in fact applied from 1985 to 2008. Do Listers think the current problem is the Index has not been updated from 1985 to 1988, and if I apply I will not be caught up in the 10 year rule? Part of my confusion is when I looked at the on-line site to buy a certificate dated before the 10 year rule the application required the Index number, which I don't have. I don't mind paying for the certificate search, Index number search etc, I'm just worried that if I get caught up in the 10 year rule, even though it is 12 years, I maybe refused the certificate because I'm only a distant cousin of Geoffrey Nicholls. Does anyone know if you can actually get a death certificate under the 10 year rule if it is for family history use, and you are only a distant relation? Best regards.......Ian Nicholls.