Texas Vital Records

Vital records document life events such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce. To order records online, you’ll need to have a valid ID, complete an online application, and pay a fee.

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Use the links below to go directly to a service or agency page.

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Order a birth certificate for your REAL ID driver license or ID card

You can use a copy of your birth certificate to verify your identity when getting a REAL ID.

Find vital record services and information

Our state agencies can help you get the vital records you need.

Vital record request and change permissions

Only you, your immediate family members, and certain individuals with legal authority can request your vital records.

Birth certificates

A birth certificate is a certified copy of a birth record. Order a copy by: Providing valid identification, Filling out an application, and Paying a fee.

Death certificates

Order a copy of a death certificate by providing a valid ID, filling out an application online, by mail or in-person, and paying a fee.

Verification letters

A verification letter indicates if a birth or death is on file in Texas. The record, if available, will include the name, date of birth or death, and county of birth or death.

ID requirements

Many forms of ID qualify for ordering vital records.

Payments

Payment methods vary based on order request (online, by mail or in-person). Acceptable forms of payment include: Check or cashier's check, Money order, and Credit or debit card.

Record changes

Asking to correct or change a record requires certain documentation.

Delayed birth certificate registration

If a birth happened in Texas and it wasn’t registered within the first year, you can ask for a delayed birth certificate.