Introduction to Texas Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Texas birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

Texas birth certificates have been maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services for individuals born in the state of Texas since 1903.

Texas Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By Texas state law, Texas birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Texas Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Texas Birth Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Texas Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Texas Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Texas Birth Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Texas Birth Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Texas birth certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Texas Birth Certificate

Texas Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a Texas Birth Certificate, 75 years or later from the date of the birth for genealogy or other reasons.

Texas Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Texas Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Texas Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Texas Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Texas Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Texas birth certificate online.  It usually takes 3-4 weeks if you pay by credit card and 6-8 weeks if you pay by check or money order.

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Texas birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the Texas birth certificate
• Date of birth on the Texas birth certificate
• Sex on the Texas birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the Texas birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the Texas birth certificate
• Full name of father on the Texas birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Texas birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Texas birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Texas Vital Records

Department of State Health Services

P.O. Box 12040

Austin, TX 78711-2040

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Texas: You may go to any county health department in the State of Texas to obtain a certified copy of a Texas birth certificate. Most Texas birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

Texas Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Texas birth certificate is $22.00, which includes one certified copy of the Texas birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Texas birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $22.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Texas DSHS." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.