How to order a birth certificate
Follow these steps to order a Texas birth certificate.
Check who can request a birth certificate
Not everyone can order a Texas birth certificate — state law limits access to protect the privacy of the person named on the record. You must be an authorized requestor, such as the person named on the certificate (if 18 or older), a parent or legal guardian listed on the record, a legal representative or attorney acting on behalf of an eligible person, or a person with a court order. You will also need to show a valid photo ID when you place your order.
Choose your certificate type
Texas offers several types of birth certificates depending on your situation: A standard certified birth certificate is accepted for most purposes, including getting a driver license, passport, or enrolling a child in school. A delayed birth certificate is for Texans whose birth was never registered — common for home births or births before hospital records were standard. A birth certificate for election identification is a free certified copy available to Texans who need a photo ID specifically for voting purposes.
Order your birth certificate
Option 1: Online
You can order a Texas birth certificate online, by mail, or in person. Choose the option that works best for you. Online orders are typically processed and mailed within 3–5 business days.
Order a Texas birth certificate online
Option 2: By mail
Download and complete the Mail Application for Birth Record (Form VS-140) from the DSHS website. Attach a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID. Include payment by check or money order made payable to DSHS Vital Statistics. Mail the completed application and payment to the address printed on the form. For faster delivery, use an overnight service or USPS Express Mail and select expedited processing when completing your form.
Download Form VS-140 and mailing requirements
Find the mailing address in the CDC Where to Write directory
Option 3: In person
Find a Vital Statistics local registration office and check its hours before you visit. Bring an acceptable photo ID and confirm that you are a qualified person to receive the record. Pay by credit card, or by check or money order made payable to DSHS Vital Statistics. In most cases, you will receive the record the same day, though some applications may take 24 hours or more.
Certificate fees
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How to locate marriage records
Follow these steps to search, verify, or order Texas marriage and divorce records.
Check who can request and what you need
Texas marriage and divorce records are maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Access to certified verification documents is restricted to authorized individuals — typically the parties named on the record, their legal representatives, or people with a court order. The statewide marriage and divorce index is publicly searchable and does not require authorization. Have a valid photo ID ready if you plan to order a certified document.
Search or verify the record
The Texas DSHS statewide marriage and divorce index is searchable online and covers records from 1966 to the present for marriages, and from 1968 to the present for divorces. The index is a reference tool — it confirms whether a record exists but is not a certified document. If you need a certified verification document for legal or official purposes, proceed to step 3.
Order your document
Option 1: Online
You can order a certified marriage or divorce verification document online, by mail, or in person. These documents confirm the existence of a record and are accepted for most legal and official purposes. Celebrating a milestone anniversary? You can also order an heirloom anniversary certificate online — a keepsake document suitable for framing.
Order a marriage or divorce verification document
Order an heirloom anniversary certificate
Option 2: By mail
Download and complete the appropriate vital records mail order form from the DSHS website. Attach a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID. Include payment by check or money order made payable to DSHS Vital Statistics. Mail the completed form and payment to the address printed on the form. For faster delivery, use an overnight service or USPS Express Mail and select expedited processing.
Download order forms and review mailing requirements
Find the mailing address in the CDC Where to Write directory.
Option 3: In person
Find a Vital Statistics local registration office and check its hours before you visit. Bring an acceptable photo ID and confirm you are qualified to receive the record. Pay by credit card, or by check or money order made payable to DSHS Vital Statistics. In most cases, you will receive the document the same day, though some requests may take 24 hours or more.
Fees
Note on full marriage certificates:
Texas DSHS issues verification documents, not fully certified copies of marriage licenses. Marriage licenses are filed with the county clerk where the license was issued. Contact the county clerk directly if you need the original license.
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How to order a death certificate
Follow these steps to order a certified Texas death certificate.
Check who can request and what you need
Access to certified Texas death certificates is restricted to authorized individuals. Eligible requestors include: an immediate family member of the deceased (spouse, parent, child, or sibling), a legal representative or attorney, a funeral director handling final arrangements, or a person with a documented legal right or court order. You will need to show a valid photo ID and provide information about your relationship to the deceased when placing your order.
Determine how many copies you need
Most financial institutions, courts, and government agencies require a certified copy of the death certificate — not a photocopy. Think through all the uses you will need before you place your order: settling an estate, claiming life insurance, transferring vehicle titles, closing bank accounts, and applying for survivor benefits each typically require their own certified copy. Ordering multiple copies at once is less expensive than placing separate orders.
How many copies to order
Most families need three to five certified copies for a typical estate. If the deceased had multiple financial accounts, real property, or life insurance policies, plan for more. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs significantly less than a separate order.
Order your death certificate
Option 1: Online
You can order certified Texas death certificates online, by mail, or in person. Choose the option that works best for you. Online orders are typically processed and mailed within 3–5 business days.
Order a Texas death certificate online
Option 2: By mail
Download and complete the Mail Application for Death Record from the DSHS website. Attach a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID and documentation showing your relationship to the deceased. Include payment by check or money order made payable to DSHS Vital Statistics. Mail the completed application and payment to the address printed on the form. For faster delivery, use an overnight service or USPS Express Mail and select expedited processing.
Download death record order forms and review mailing requirements
Find the mailing address in the CDC Where to Write Directory
Option 3: In person
Find a Vital Statistics local registration office and check its hours before you visit. Bring an acceptable photo ID and documentation of your relationship to the deceased and confirm you are a qualified requester. Pay by credit card, or by check or money order made payable to DSHS Vital Statistics. In most cases, you will receive the record the same day, though some requests may take 24 hours or more.
Certificate fees
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How to change a vital record
Errors on a vital record — such as a misspelled name or wrong date — can cause problems when you use it for official purposes. Follow these steps to request a correction.
Confirm you are eligible to request a change
Not everyone can request a change to a vital record. Eligible requestors include the person named on the record (if 18 or older), a parent or legal guardian listed on the record, a legal representative, or a person with a court order. Confirm your eligibility before gathering documents.
Review the correction requirements
The documents required to correct a vital record depend on what is being changed and when the record was filed. Common corrections include name misspellings, incorrect dates, and missing information. Review the full requirements before you submit — incomplete requests are returned and can delay processing.
Allow extra time
Correction requests are reviewed manually, and processing times vary. Do not wait until you urgently need the corrected record to submit your request. Submit as early as possible to avoid delays.
Submit your correction request
Correction requests are submitted by mail to the Texas Vital Statistics Unit. Download and complete the appropriate amendment form, attach all required supporting documents, and include payment for the amendment fee. Do not send original documents — certified copies only.
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Requesting records from other states
Texas only holds records for events that took place in Texas. If you need a record from another state, you’ll need to contact that state directly.
Find vital records from another state
The CDC maintains a directory called “Where to Write for Vital Records” with contact information, fees, and instructions for every U.S. state and territory. Each state has its own process, fees, and eligibility requirements. Review the information for the specific state before submitting your request.
U.S. territories and foreign records
The CDC directory also covers U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For records from foreign countries, contact that country’s vital records authority or the nearest embassy or consulate.