Request Texas birth, marriage, and death certificates with Vital Records Online’s US-based service. The user-friendly platform guarantees secure processing of your personal information, and your vital records arrive successfully.
Summary:
In 1845, Texas, also known as the Lone Star State joined the United States as the 45th state. Texas is home to approximately 29 million people. The state is known for the Alamo, BBQ, live music, and hot weather. Texas is the second-largest state in the nation.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services (TDHHS) was formed in 2017 by merging several existing health organizations. Birth, death, marriage/divorce, adoption, and paternity/parentage information are available through the Vital Statistics Section (VSS). The organization provides records for births filed in Texas dating back to 1903. For deliveries within the past 75 years, only immediate family members are eligible to request copies of birth certificates. Vital Statistics also provides records for deaths filed in Texas dating back to 1903. For deaths within the past 75 years, immediate family members can request copies of death certificates. The VSS maintains general indexes of Texas marriages dating back to 1966 and Texas divorces dating back to 1968. Adoption court records in Texas are sealed by the court’s motion or at the request of the adoptive parents, and adoption records may not be released except through a showing of good cause.
Some records may be available through the Vital Statistics Section or public record sites for ancestry projects. Learn how to acquire certified copies of Texas birth, death, marriage/divorce, or paternity/parentage records.
Start your application online for TX vital records
Request a certified copy of live birth for your baby or child.
Life’s most critical events require vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates. These essential documents authenticate a person’s identity, nationality, and family relationships. Vital records can be used to settle legal disagreements, claim an inheritance, and research family origins. Genealogical records can help uncover your ancestors’ full names, birth and death dates, and locations. If you believe you lost your birth, marriage, or death certificate, do not delay: file a police report immediately and order a certified replacement.
Every county in Texas has a list of agencies that certify and issue vital records that are recorded within their respective jurisdictions. To discover where to request replacements, you can search the list of Texas County agencies below. The list provides the locations and contact information, and access to online forms to order birth, death, and marriage certificates online.
❗️If you’re seeking ancestral records for genealogy research in Texas, many are available from free public archives.
Visiting Vital Records Office
Ordering Vital Records Online
There are several ways to obtain vital records in the State of Texas. You can apply in person, via mail, or online which is the most reliable and convenient option. The Vital Statistics Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services will create and certify copies of vital records. The procedure is straightforward if you meet the requirements and follow the steps for each birth, death, and marriage certificate.
The type of certificate, ordering method, associated costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times vary when applying for a certified vital record copy from the DSHS-VSS. It is essential to be fully informed about the necessary steps and conditions, whether ordering by mail or in person.
Ordering Texas Vital Records online is quick and effortless and involves two easy steps:
You can apply for a Texas birth, death, or marriage certificate online if you meet the eligibility authorization criteria. Remember to confirm that you have all the necessary documents before submitting your application to upload copies during the secure online process.
Vital Records Online provides an easy solution to generate the required documents quickly. The simplified system instructs how and where to submit the documents and can be completed within five minutes using any device with an internet connection. Vital Records Online also helps ensure your application avoids rejections due to common mistakes or missing documents.
✔︎ First-Class mail tracking is available as an add-on during the final checkout process.
✔︎ Additional copies of your certified vital records can be purchased for the state’s fee during the online application to save future costs.
✔︎ Vital Records Online’s support team manages scanning, printing, and finding a notary for your application and documents. Learn more about how the online ordering and handling process works.
Attending in person may not be possible for everyone, particularly those who do not reside close to a state health department office that produces certified copies of vital records. When going in person, you may find long queues. Ordering online is often a more efficient approach.
The requirements are generally the same whether you apply for vital records in-person or by mail. However, if you choose to apply in person at the vital records office, prepare to complete the following tasks:
Additionally, by mail, you will need the following:
❗️ Before receiving approval, you must also get your documents and application notarized with a sworn statement for identity verification purposes.
Alternatively, you can mail or order online to avoid long wait lines if the office is closed. Mail is convenient if you live in a state other than the issuing state, and online ordering is the easiest method if you live abroad.
We highly recommend purchasing mail tracking to know if and when the vital records office receives your application and documents. But be aware that your application could be rejected due to errors or missing information. Double-check any special requirements for each type of vital record.
❗️ Ensure that your documents, application, and payment are submitted to the correct health department that issues certified copies of the preserved original record.
Knowing the conditions and requirements is essential before gathering the documents required to place your vital record request.
Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization
The required identification and documents for ordering Texas vital records are listed in the table below. An alternate ID may be accepted if you do not have an appropriate form of identification.
If you are applying to the Texas Department of State Health Services – Vital Statistics Section, you must present a valid form of identification. Acceptable forms of ID include driver’s licenses, state photo IDs, and notarized sworn statements that prove you have permission to receive the certificate. Remember to check which type of acceptable IDs are accepted for each type of vital record.
What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Texas?
The DSHS-VSS stipulates that an individual seeking a certified vital record must present the following information to authenticate their request:
| Certificate | Required Information | ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Options | Notary Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Date of Birth, Daytime Phone Number, Email, Father's Name, Father's Name at Birth, Full Name of Person of Record, Mailing Address, Mother's Maiden Name, Mother's Name, Place of Birth, Purpose for the Certificate, Sex, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature | Advance Parole, B1/B2 Visa Border Crossing Card, Driver's License, Federal ID, Law Enforcement ID, Offender ID, Permanent Residents Card, Pilot's License, Re-Entry Permit, Refugee Travel Document, SENTRI Card, State ID, US Citizenship ID, US Employment Authorization Card, US Military ID, US Passport, Visa, Weapon Permit | Auto Insurance, Bank Statement, Birth Certificate, Copy of Police Report for Stolen ID, Court Order, DD-214 Form, Divorce Decree, Expired Primary ID, Fishing License, Foreign ID Card, Foreign Passport, Form I-94, Health Insurance Card, Hunting License, Library Card, Loan Payment Contract, Marriage License, Medicaid Card, Medical Record, Medicare Card, Mexican Voter Registration Card, Pay Stub, Promissory Note, Property Title, Public Assistance Application, Religious Record, Rent Receipt, Rental Agreement, School Records, Social Security Card, Social Security Letter, Tax Documents, US Department of Homeland Security Notice, Utility Bill, Vehicle Registration, Veteran Affairs Card, Voter Registration Card, Work ID | Yes |
| Death Certificate | Date of Birth, Date of Death, Daytime Phone Number, Email, Father's Name at Birth, Full Name of Person of Record, Mailing Address, Mother's Maiden Name, Place of Death, Purpose for the Certificate, SSN, Sex, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature | Advance Parole, B1/B2 Visa Border Crossing Card, Driver's License, Federal ID, Law Enforcement ID, Offender ID, Permanent Residents Card, Pilot's License, Re-Entry Permit, Refugee Travel Document, SENTRI Card, State ID, US Citizenship ID, US Employment Authorization Card, US Military ID, US Passport, Visa, Weapon Permit | Auto Insurance,Bank Statement, Birth Certificate, College ID, Copy of Police Report for Stolen ID, Court Order, DD-214 Form, Divorce Decree, Expired Government Issued ID, Expired Primary ID, Fishing License, Foreign ID Card, Foreign Passport, Form I-94, Health Insurance Card, Hospital Bill, Hunting License, Library Card, Loan Payment Contract, Marriage License, Medicaid Card, Medical Record, Medicare Card, Mexican Voter Registration Card, Pay Stub, Promissory Note, Property Title, Public Assistance Application, Religious Record, Rent Receipt, Rental Agreement, School Records, Social Security Card, Social Security Letter, Social Security Numident, Tax Documents, US Department of Homeland Security Notice, Utility Bill, Vehicle Registration, Vehicle Title, Veteran Affairs Card, Voter Registration Card, Work ID | Yes |
| Marriage Certificate | Bride SSN, Bride's Date of Birth, Bride's Name Before Marriage, Date of Marriage, Daytime Phone Number, Email, Groom Name, Groom SSN, Groom's Date of Birth, Mailing Address, Place of Marriage, Purpose for the Certificate, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record | Advance Parole, B1/B2 Visa Border Crossing Card, Driver's License, Federal ID, Law Enforcement ID, Offender ID, Permanent Residents Card, Pilot's License, Re-Entry Permit, Refugee Travel Document, SENTRI Card, State ID, US Employment Authorization Card, US Military ID, US Passport, Visa, Weapon Permit | Auto Insurance, Bank Statement, Birth Certificate, College ID, Copy of Police Report for Stolen ID, Court Order, DD-214 Form, Divorce Decree, Expired Primary ID, Fishing License, Foreign ID Card, Foreign Passport, Form I-94, Health Insurance Card, Hospital Bill, Hunting License, Library Card, Loan Payment Contract, Marriage License, Medicaid Card, Medical Record, Medicare Card, Mexican Voter Registration Card, Pay Stub, Promissory Note, Property Title, Public Assistance Application, Religious Record, Rent Receipt, School Records, Social Security Card, Social Security Letter, Tax Documents, US Department of Homeland Security Notice, Utility Bill, Vehicle Registration, Veteran Affairs Card, Voter Registration Card, Work ID |
❗️ The DSHS-VSS also defines unique conditions for each type of certificate and personal circumstance. Check the details of eligibility conditions and requirements for DSHS-VSS birth, death, and marriage replacements.
Who can request vital records in Texas?
The certificate holder can request a certified copy of their vital records and must prove their identity when obtaining a notarized sworn statement for their application.
If you are not a family member of the individual on record, you may be able to request a copy of a vital record from the DSHS-VSS if you are a legal representative. Check the eligibility requirements for each birth, death, and marriage certificate to confirm that you are authorized to request a certified copy of the vital record.
| Certificate | Authorized People |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Children, Grandparents, Legal Guardian, Legal Representative, Parents, Person on Record, Siblings, Spouse |
| Death Certificate | Children, Funeral Home, Grandparents, Parents, Siblings, Spouse |
| Marriage Certificate | Children, Grandparents, Legal Guardian, Legal Representative, Parents, Person on Record, Siblings, Spouse |
✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest or hold a Power of Attorney from the person on record, you are eligible to request the vital record for the person on record.
Do I need a notary with my application?
Applicants must prove their identity to the Texas Health Department by providing a notarized sworn statement with their application and documents. Make sure to bring your ID to a public notary to complete the notarization.
❗️ A Notarized Sown Statement is required when ordering an authorized copy of a Texas birth or death certificate online.
✔︎ A notarized Sworn Statement is not required when requesting an authorized Texas Marriage Certificate.
✔︎ Vital Records Online includes an online notary service as part of your application packet. Otherwise, you must bring your ID when choosing to use a local public notary to create this document.
✔︎ The Health Department does not require a photocopy of your ID. The notarized application document will be enough proof of identity.
✔︎ A notarized sworn statement is not required when requesting informational copies of Texas vital records.
The costs for vital record replacements depend on the DSHS-VSS’s fees for each type of certificate. How you submit your application and whether a notary is required to prove your identity will increase the total cost.
When ordering birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates through Vital Records Online, the online Application Assistant starts at $29. DSHS-VSS will charge a $22.00 fee for each certified copy of a birth record, a $20.00 fee for each certified marriage certificate copy, $20.00 for the first death certificate copy, and $3.00 for each additional death certificate copy.
| Certificate | Fee | Additional Copy | Rush State Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $22.00 | $22.00 | $5.00 |
| Death Certificate | $22.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $22.00 | $20.00 | $5.00 |
✔︎ You can request additional copies when ordering to have spares in case of an event when your vital records go missing, get damaged, or are stolen.
VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.
Processing times for replacing birth, death, or marriage certificates can vary. When you process an order through Vital Records Online, you can save time with the online notarized sworn statement during checkout—otherwise, account for additional time to visit a local notary.
Once an application and payment are received, processing begins and may take up to 6-8 weeks, while expedited orders take around 20-25 business days. An incomplete application will be denied and returned to the applicant. If a rejected application is resubmitted with corrections, the processing time restarts, doubling the processing time.
| Certificate | Processing Time | Rush Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | 6-8 weeks | 20-25 business days |
| Death Certificate | 6-8 weeks | 20-25 business days |
| Marriage Certificate | 6-8 weeks | 20-25 business days |
❗️ Account for 2-3 additional days for your application process if you choose to obtain a notarized sworn statement from a local notary.
❗️ Newborn Birth Certificates: Generally, the DSHS-VSS takes 10 business days after the birth for a newborn’s birth certificate to be available.
❗️ New Death Certificates: Generally, the DSHS-VSS takes 10 business days to create the first death certificate after the death has occurred.
❗️ New Marriage Certificates: Generally, the DSHS-VSS creates the first marriage certificate on the same day. However, some applications may require up to 24 hours or more to process. Check with the county the marriage occurred to know the current wait times.
Submitting your application through Vital Records Online allows you to monitor the processing status of your application. Your application packet will be mailed to the Texas Department of Public Health with prepaid postage included.
If you mail the application packet to the vital records health department yourself, remember to purchase first-class mail tracking to ensure it has arrived safely. The Department of Social and Health Services – Vital Records Section ships all vital records via USPS first-class mail to your home for additional security. Do not delay filing a report if you believe your birth certificate has gone missing. The DSHS-VSS cannot be held responsible for any misdirected or lost certificates. A small error, such as a typo or missing document, may cause delays, duplicate shipping costs, or risk your personal information falling into the wrong hands.
❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Texas counties office locations directory.
If you need to file a vital record with a foreign government, you will require an apostille. The DSHS-VSS Secretary of State Authentications Unit issues apostilles for birth, death, and marriage certificates.
How can I get an apostille for a vital record?
You must submit requests for vital record apostilles to the DSHS-VSS Secretary of State Authentications Unit at the following address:
Secretary of State
Authentications Unit,
PO Box 13550
Austin, TX 78711-3550
Secretary of State walk-in service address:
Secretary of State
Authentications Unit,
1019 Brazos
Austin, TX 78701
Walk-In Service: Room 106
The only way to obtain an apostille for DSHS-VSS vital records is through the Secretary of State Authentications Unit. You can reach the office at (512) 463-5705 or online at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/authinfo.shtml.
DSHS-VSS has created a compilation of common scenarios that necessitate alterations to birth or marriage certificates.
When the need arises to make corrections or amendments to a family member’s birth, marriage, or death certificate, the Texas Department of State Health Services – Vital Statistics Section (DSHS-VSS) provides an easy-to-follow process in accordance with Texas law. An amendment is necessary if there is a need to alter any vital information. Supplemental changes to the original record become addendums, but nothing can change the original document.
The protocol for requesting changes or amendments differs according to which vital document needs alteration.
Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require the following:
Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Where can I search for free public records?
Vital records remain confidential in Texas for 75 years; however, accessing many vital records for free is still possible. Texas public vital records websites are searchable, allowing you to find the birth, marriage, and divorce records you need – but be prepared to set aside enough time for your research.
Are Texas Vital Records Open to the Public?
Most state records are public in the State of Texas. The access, however, depends on the types of records you are looking for and the year when the birth, death, or marriage occurred.
In the State of Texas, most records are available to the public; however, the extent of access depends on the type of record and the year in which the birth, death, or marriage was recorded.
Researching vital records has become much easier, thanks to many third-party websites. These invaluable resources are always at your fingertips, offering a great starting point when researching vital records. In contrast, official government reports may differ from data provided by third-party websites. If you are looking to locate a record from an outside source, you may need to provide the following information:
In each state, county, and municipality, many different types of vital records may be retained. To ensure that you have the officially certified copy of your birth, death, or marriage certificate, you will want to verify what the document looks like, depending on which agency issued the record. You can usually identify an informational copy of a vital record by looking for a stamp or large print that says “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity.”
Authorized Copy:
Informational copies cannot be used to establish identity; only certified copies of vital records are recognized as official legal documents that can be used for identification. Certified copies of vital records are only issued to authorized people with a “direct and tangible interest” in the document.
If you request an authorized birth, death, or marriage certificate, you must obtain a notarized sworn statement – and your status as a person who is lawfully entitled to the authorized copy. Anyone who requests a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate must submit a notarized sworn statement declaring under penalty of perjury that you are entitled by law to receive an authorized copy. Without a notarized sworn statement, your request will be returned to you, causing unnecessary further delays.
Informational Copy:
You are not required to supply a notarized sworn statement if you seek an informational copy of a vital record. The Texas Public Information Act gives citizens the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records.
Check the resources section below for additional birth, death, and marriage certificate references.
Visit the official Texas government website at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics
