State vital records · DSHS-VSS
Texas Vital Records Requirements
Fees, processing times, required documents, and who can request birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in Texas — in one place.
Texas · 368 offices
At a glance
Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics Section (DSHS-VSS)
- Address
- DSHS - Vital Statistics Section, 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756
- Mailing
- Texas Vital Statistics Department of State Health Services P.O. Box 12040 Austin, TX 78711-2040 Expedited Processing Must be sent through an OVERNIGHT mail service. Texas Vital Statistics MC 2096 Department of State Health Services 1100 W. 49th Street Austin, TX 78756
- Phone
- 512-967-4900
- Website
- Official site ↗
- Hours
- 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Texas Birth Certificate
- Fee
- $22
- Additional copy
- $22
- Rush fee
- $5
- Processing time
- 25-30 business days
- Rush processing
- 20-25 business days
- Public after
- 75 years
Who can request
- Children
- Grandparents
- Legal Guardian
- Legal Representative
- Parents
- Person on Record
- Siblings
- Spouse
Required information
- Date of Birth
- Daytime Phone Number
- 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
Accepted ID
- 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
Secondary ID
- 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
Texas Death Certificate
- Fee
- $20
- Additional copy
- $3
- Rush fee
- $5
- Processing time
- 25-30 business days
- Rush processing
- 20-25 business days
- Public after
- 25 years
Who can request
- Children
- Funeral Home
- Grandparents
- Parents
- Siblings
- Spouse
Required information
- Date of Birth
- Date of Death
- Daytime Phone Number
- 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
Accepted ID
- 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
Secondary ID
- 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
Texas Marriage Certificate
- Fee
- $20
- Additional copy
- $20
- Rush fee
- $5
- Processing time
- 25-30 business days
- Rush processing
- 20-25 business days
- Public after
- Not Restricted
Who can request
- Children
- Grandparents
- Legal Guardian
- Legal Representative
- Parents
- Person on Record
- Siblings
- Spouse
Required information
- Bride SSN
- Bride's Date of Birth
- Bride's Name Before Marriage
- Date of Marriage
- Daytime Phone Number
- 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
Accepted ID
- 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
Secondary ID
- 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
Don't want to visit in person? Order a Texas birth, death, or marriage certificate online through our partner, Vital Records Online.
Order online ↗Get a birth certificate by Texas county
Most Texas birth and death records are requested at the county level. Choose your county for local offices, fees, and how to order.
- Harris County birth certificate2
- Dallas County birth certificate3
- Tarrant County birth certificate2
- Bexar County birth certificate1
- Travis County birth certificate1
- Collin County birth certificate2
- Denton County birth certificate2
- Fort Bend County birth certificate2
- Hidalgo County birth certificate2
- El Paso County birth certificate3
- Montgomery County birth certificate2
- Williamson County birth certificate2
Apostille & authentication
- Office
- Secretary of State Authentications Unit
- Mailing
- Secretary of State Authentications Unit P.O. Box 13550 Austin, TX 78711-3550
- Walk-in
- Secretary of State Authentications Unit 1019 Brazos Austin, TX 78701 Room 106
- Details
- 1. The name of the country where the document will be recorded. 2. The statutory fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) per certificate or apostille unless the certificate or apostille is requested for use in adoption proceedings. * A check or money order drawn on a U.S. Bank and made payable to the Secretary of State of Texas must be submitted with the documents. American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa cards are also accepted (subject to a 2.7% convenience fee). 3. A self-addressed, stamped envelope or pre-paid overnight airbill/envelope.
Public records: Texas Public Information Act. Information is provided as guidance and may change — verify with the state office before applying.