Premature charging of new tariff?

[Adnepos_Iacobi]

Like many others I'm sure, I have requested E&W civil registration certificates ahead of the price increase.

I have just received a call from one of the register offices demanding the increased cost. The rationale is that my order will be processed on/after 6 April.

I had expected that the charge would be the one that was in force at the time of receipt.

Has anybody else had the same experience? Any idea whether clarification on whether register offices can choose to delay processing in order to charge more can be had from the GRO? I have asked the GRO but suspect the answer will be some time coming.

[Peter Goodey]

That's nonsense.

Postage rates are also changing on 6 April but if you took an item into the post office today (3 Apr), you would be charged the current (old) rate even though it will be delivered on or after 6 April.

Someone in the register office need a bit of a slap.

If you order a certificate from GRO online, you can do so at the old rate until Monday (5 Apr)*. There's a chance that the old rate may apply up to 0700 GMT on 6 Apr.

*There was an earlier glitch at GRO when they wrongly started charging the new rate.

[Adnepos_Iacobi]

I spoke with a lady at GRO 'Local Sevices' this morning who gave me the contact for the 'Proper Officer for Registration' for the relevant District. After giving a few hours for consideration, the Proposer Officer for Registration has agreed that the appropriate charge, given that the request had been received before April 6 is 7GBP. An entirely amiable experience today, which is what I am used to with 'Local Services'. End of story!