Texas Vital Records Search

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What are Texas Vital Records?

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section(VSS) is the government agency that maintains all vital records for the state of Texas. Those records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. They also issue certified copies of vital records upon request to qualified individuals. This agency is also in charge of health statistics for the state, health resources, and emergency preparedness. Vital records in Texas are not public records, and only qualified people like close family and legal representatives can obtain copies. When requesting copies, you must prove your relationship to the person listed on the certificate and provide your own ID. The VSS allows you to request copies in person, by mail and also online.

Texas Birth Records

Texas birth records are managed by the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section (VSS), and this agency issues certified copies. They allow qualified individuals to get them through the mail, in-person, and online. They offer a certified copy, verification copies (informational only, not for legal purposes), and heirloom copies for newborns' parents. Birth records are not public records for 75 years, and therefore, only certain people can get copies of yours. Access is usually restricted to close family, guardians, and legal representatives. Texas began keeping birth records in 1903, and the VSS has records dating back 75 years. If you need older records or public birth records for genealogy, you will have to visit the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Texas?

If you are looking for birth records within the past 75 years, contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section. They also provide searches and copies. If you need older records, visit the Texas State Library and Archives Commission; they have records going back to 1903.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Texas?

Contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section. They allow you to get one through the mail, online, or by visiting their offices. You must fill out an application and pay the fee. Only qualified individuals can get copies.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Texas?

The cost for each certified or verification copy is $22. If you want an heirloom copy, it costs $60. You will pay extra for expedited shipping.

Who can request birth records?

Since birth records are not public records, only the following people can request copies:

  1. Child.
  2. Parent/guardian.
  3. Brother/sister.
  4. Grandparent.
  5. Spouse.
  6. Guardian.
  7. Legal agent/representative.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Texas birth certificate?

When requesting copies of birth records in Texas, you need the following information:

  1. Full name of the person listed on the certificate.
  2. Date of birth.
  3. Place of birth.
  4. Parent 1 full name.
  5. Parent 2 full name.
  6. Type of copy needed (long form, short form, heirloom, or verification).

As the requestor, you also must provide your name, address, email address, phone number, signature, and reason for the request. You will be asked to show a valid ID and prove the relationship.

Where can I find historical vital records in Texas for genealogy research?

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section has records going back 75 years. If you need older records, contact the Texas State Library and Archives Commission; they have records going back to 1903.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

To make a correction on yours or someone else's birth record, you must contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section. You will have to fill out a form, pay the fee and provide "supporting documentation" for the change.

Can I get a refund if my Texas birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Texas Death Records

Texas has been keeping death records since 1903. The state has tasked theTexas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section with storing and maintaining them. This agency also issues certified copies of death records for qualified individuals. Death records are not public records for 25 years; then, they are open to the public. During the first 25 years, only close family members and legal representatives can get copies. The VSS allows you to request death records online using the Texas.gov online system, through the mail, or in person at their office. Death records are necessary when applying for death benefits, claiming life insurance, and other instances where you need to prove someone has died.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Death Records

How do I find death records in Texas?

If you are looking for death records that are 25 years old or younger, you can contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section. If you need older death records, you can visit the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Are death records public in Texas?

Nor right away. Death records are not public records for the first 25 years; then, they are opened up to the public.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Texas?

The cost for the first certified copy of a death record is $20. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $3. You will have to pay extra for expedited or special shipping options.

How long does it take to get a copy of a Texas death record?

If you visit in person, you can get a copy between 30-60 minutes. If you order online, the wait time will be 20-25 days. If you order through the mail, your wait time jumps to 65-85 days.

Who can request death records?

Only immediate family, guardians, and legal agents/representatives can request copies of death records. Immediate family includes:

  1. Child.
  2. Parent/guardian.
  3. Brother/sister.
  4. Grandparent.
  5. Spouse.

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Texas death certificate?

When requesting copies of death records, you will need the following information:

  1. Full name on the certificate.
  2. Date of death.
  3. Date of birth.
  4. Place of death.
  5. Social security number.
  6. Parent 1 full name.
  7. Parent 2 full name.
  8. Type of certificate (first, additional, or death verification).

As the requestor, you also must provide your name, address, email address, phone number, signature, and reason for the request. You will be asked to show a valid ID and prove the relationship.

Where can I find historical death records in Texas?

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section has records dating back 25 years. If you need older records, you can contact the Texas State Library and Archives Commission; they have records going back to 1903.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

To get an error corrected on a death record, you must contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section. They have a special form you must fill out, and you will have to pay a fee. Each amendment is reviewed and may or may not be approved.

Can I get a refund if my Texas death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Texas Marriage Records

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section offers residents marriage verifications. These are legal documents but do not substitute for a certified copy of a marriage license. For those, you would have to visit the Clerk of the Court where the marriage license was filed. Instead, this agency offers letters of verification that the marriage took place and was legal in the state of Texas. If no marriage record is found, the applicants will receive a "single-status letter." The VSS has marriage verification records from 1966 to the present. Marriage records are public records, and the state even has a website where you can search for free for indexes (lists) of marriages by year online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Marriage Records

Are Texas marriage records public?

Yes. In fact, the state has a website where you can search by year for free for all marriages that took place in the state.

What Texas marriage records are available?

The VSS has marriage records dating from 1966 to the present day. If you need older records, you must contact the Clerk of the Court where the marriage license was filed.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Texas?

If you visit in person, you can get one within 30-60 minutes. If you order through the online system, you will have to wait 20-25 days for a copy. If you order through the mail, the wait time is 65-85 days.

How much does a Texas marriage certificate cost?

The cost for a marriage verification from the VSS is $20. You will need to pay extra for expedited shipping or other mailing options.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When requesting a copy of someone's marriage record, you will need the following information:

  1. Husband's full name.
  2. Wife's full maiden name.
  3. Date of marriage.
  4. Place of marriage.
  5. Ages or dates of birth at the time of marriage.

As the requestor, you must also provide your name, address, phone number, purpose, and relationship to the people listed on the record.

How do I get a copy of a Texas marriage record?

You can visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section in person and get one within minutes. You can also order online or fill out the application and mail it in.

What if I didn't get married in Texas?

If you were not married in Texas, you must contact either the vital records office or the Clerk of the Court where your marriage license was filed.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Anyone. Marriage records are public records in Texas. You can also purchase a downloadable list or search for free online for any marriages that took place during any year from 1966 to the present day.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Texas?

You must contact the Clerk of the Court where the marriage license was originally filed. They will have a form to fill out, a fee to pay, and then you can request the correction.

Texas Divorce Records

TheTexas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section is the agency in charge of issuing divorce verifications for residents upon request. Divorce records are public records in Texas, and you can download entire files from the internet or review indexes online for free. Divorce records are necessary when you get remarried or have to verify your marital status. If you need a full copy of the divorce decree, you will have to contact the court where your divorce was finalized. The VSS allows you to get copies of divorce verifications through the mail, through the internet using their Texas.gov online system and in-person while you wait.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Texas?

Yes. In fact, you can download entire files and unzip them to review or choose to review marriage and divorce indexes online by year.

How do I find old divorce records?

If you want actual divorce decrees, you must contact the court where your divorce was finalized. Otherwise, you can review online or download copies of divorce files from 1968 to the present. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has records older than 1968 open to the public.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

Contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section for a verification letter that the divorce was finalized. If you need an actual copy of the divorce decree, contact the Clerk of the Court where your divorce was finalized.

What information is needed to search for a Texas divorce record?

When requesting copies of divorce records, you will need the following information:

  1. Husband's full name.
  2. Wife's full maiden name.
  3. Date of divorce.
  4. Place of divorce.
  5. Ages or dates of birth at the time of marriage.

As the requestor, you must also provide your name, address, phone number, purpose, and relationship to the people listed on the record.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Texas?

If you were not divorced in Texas, you must contact either the vital records office or the Clerk of the Court in the state and county where you were divorced.

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