Faith Capnerhurst wrote: > It has been a while since I purchased a certificate, but when I did, I went > to the Birmingham Register Office, and they accepted a postal money order in > Pounds Sterling. Is this not an acceptable form of payment at any record > office? I am about ready to buy more certificates so I really need to know > this. I find my credit card is not accepted (nothing to do with available > credit) by any of the genealogy sites I have tried to use it for so far. So > I thought the postal money order would be the best option. Am I correct in > this? Record Offices are archives and don't issue certificates. Postal orders in sterling are usually acceptable and if you've had them accepted before there's no reason why they should not be acceptable now. I find it strange that your credit card hasn't been accepted although there's no indication from your email address as to where you are. Many sites are now signing up to Verisign as a means of preventing fraudulent transactions. It means you have to register your card which is free. If you chose not to do so, then you have three (IIRC) opportunities to do so before your card will be declined. I don't know how this affects anyone with overseas issued cards or if it's a case of our dozy government not having thought that far!! Alternatives would be a counter cheque from a building society if you have one and you're in the UK, or if not, a sterling bankers draft, sterling travellers cheque made out to the register office and both signed and countersigned or a reciprocal arrangement with UK based friend or relative. -- Charani (UK)