Kara Sears
In the State of Texas, birth certificates are not open records. Access to birth certificates is restricted to qualified applicants for 75 years from the date of birth. For births within the past 75 years, only immediate family members of the person whose name is on the birth certificate are eligible to request a copy. All other applicants must provide legal documentation that proves a direct, tangible interest in the birth certificate. Requests for certified copies of birth certificates can be made online, in person, or by mail. The fastest and easiest way to get a birth certificate is to order online at Texas.gov.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to obtain a copy of a Texas birth certificate | Order online at Texas.gov, or by mail or in person |
| Requirements to order online | Mailing address must match the one listed on your current Driver License or state-issued Identification Card |
| Fee for a copy of a Texas birth certificate | $22 per copy |
| Who can request a copy | Only immediate family members of the person whose name is on the birth certificate are eligible to request a copy within 75 years of the date of birth. All other applicants must provide legal documentation that documents a direct, tangible interest in the birth certificate. |
| Types of birth certificates | Long form, short form, heirloom, or for election identification |
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What You'll Learn
Texas birth certificate copies: who can request them?
In Texas, birth certificates are not open records. Access to birth certificates is restricted to qualified applicants for 75 years from the date of birth. Only immediate family members of the person whose name is on the birth certificate are eligible to request a copy. All other applicants must provide legal documentation that proves a direct, tangible interest in the birth certificate.
Acceptable forms of ID are required to verify your identity and prove that you are a qualified applicant. If you are mailing your application, your mailing address must match the one listed on your current driver's license or state-issued ID card.
The fastest and easiest way to get a birth certificate or verification is to order online at Texas.gov. If you are unable to order online, you can order records by mail or in person. You can also order birth records locally by contacting your local office. In-person services are available only for the issuance of certified copies of birth and death records, and the issuance of verifications of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records.
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How to request a Texas birth certificate copy
To request a Texas birth certificate copy, you must work with Vital Statistics, which maintains birth records for the state of Texas. You can order a certified copy of a birth certificate or a birth verification letter. The fastest and easiest way to do this is to order online at Texas.gov. To order online, you must meet the requirements for online orders, and your mailing address must match the one listed on your current Driver's License or state-issued ID card. If you are unable to order online, you can order records by mail or in person at the Vital Statistics headquarters.
Before mailing your application or arriving at an office in person, be sure you meet the requirements to order a birth record. You can download the application and review the requirements on the Texas Department of State Health Services website. You can also find out where you can order birth records near you by contacting your local office for hours. In-person services are available only for the issuance of certified copies of birth and death records and the issuance of verifications of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. In most cases, you will get your record the same day, but some applications require 24 hours or more to process.
Mail-in orders can be processed with standard or expedited service. For expedited service, be sure to review the fees and special instructions before submitting your application packet. Mail-in requests must be paid by check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to DSHS Vital Statistics. You can also contact VSS by telephone at (888) 963-7111 to verify current fees or the status of your request.
Please note that access to birth certificates is restricted to qualified applicants for 75 years from the date of birth. An acceptable ID is required to verify your identity and prove that you are a qualified applicant. For births within the past 75 years, only immediate family members of the person whose name is on the birth certificate are eligible to request a copy. All other applicants must provide legal documentation that demonstrates a direct, tangible interest in the birth certificate.
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Requesting a Texas birth certificate copy online
To request a Texas birth certificate copy online, you can visit Texas.gov. Here, you can order a birth certificate copy 24/7. However, to be able to order online, you must meet certain requirements, including that your mailing address matches the one listed on your current driver's license or state-issued identification card. If you are unable to order online, you can order records by mail or in person at the Vital Statistics headquarters during office hours.
Vital Statistics maintains birth records for the state of Texas and issues certified copies of birth certificates (long form, short form, heirloom, or for election identification) or birth verifications. To order a birth certificate copy, you will need to provide an acceptable form of ID to verify your identity and prove that you are a qualified applicant. For births within the past 75 years, only immediate family members of the person whose name is on the birth certificate are eligible to request a copy. All other applicants must provide legal documentation demonstrating a direct, tangible interest in the birth certificate.
The cost of a birth certificate copy is $23, and you can pay using a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover). There may also be additional processing and shipping fees for internet orders. The processing time for online orders is approximately 1-3 business days if your request is approved, and delivery of certificates is made within 2 business days via UPS shipping. It is important to note that UPS shipping is unavailable for PO or APO boxes.
If you are requesting a birth certificate for a newborn, you may also request a Social Security number for your baby at the time of birth. The Social Security Administration will assign your newborn a number and mail the card directly to you. After delivery, the nurse will provide a Vital Statistics Worksheet to complete and a Birth Facts letter containing all the information about your baby's birth. It is essential to carefully review this information before signing the document.
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Texas birth certificate copy fees
In Texas, birth certificates are not open records. Access to birth certificates is restricted to qualified applicants for 75 years from the date of birth. To be a qualified applicant, you must provide acceptable ID to verify your identity.
The cost of a birth certificate copy in Texas varies depending on the county, district, and city. In Austin, for instance, the fee for each copy of a birth certificate is $23. There are additional processing and shipping fees for internet and phone orders. For in-person orders at the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in Austin, a $2.25 processing fee is charged for credit card payments.
For mail-in requests, payment can be made by check, cashier's check, or money order. All fees can be combined into one check or money order made payable to DSHS Vital Statistics.
In Brazos County, there is a $21 fee to obtain a single certified copy of a death certificate, and additional certified copies of the same death certificate may be purchased at the same time for $4 each.
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Texas birth certificate copy processing times
Texas birth certificates are maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics. The fastest and easiest way to obtain a birth certificate or verification is to order online at Texas.gov. To be able to order online, you must meet the requirements for online orders and your mailing address must match the one listed on your current Driver License or state-issued Identification Card. Otherwise, you can order by mail or in person.
In-person services are available only for the issuance of certified copies of birth and death records, and the issuance of verifications of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. In most cases, you will get your record the same day, but some applications require 24 hours or more to process.
Mail-in orders can be processed with standard or expedited service. Expedited requests can be sent using an overnight service or by USPS Express Mail, with a check or money order, to the address on the application. Current processing times can be located on the Texas Department of State Health Services website.
Vital Statistics cannot search records for free. The fee is a searching fee and is not refundable or transferable, even if the record is not found or is incorrect. The cost of a birth certificate copy is $20.00 for the first copy. Additional copies of the same birth record ordered at the same time are $3.00 each.
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Frequently asked questions
You can request a copy of your birth certificate in Texas by ordering online at Texas.gov, or by mail or in person.
To order a birth certificate online, your mailing address must match the one listed on your current Driver's License or state-issued Identification Card.
The cost of obtaining a copy of a birth certificate in Texas is $22 per copy.
