Texas vital records
The Vital Statistics Section, Texas Department of State Health Services is the vital records office for Texas.1 It issues certified birth certificates and death certificates23. It does not issue marriage certificates or divorce records; this page shows who does.4 Local offices also issue certified copies.5
On this page
Current notices from the office
Records and where to get them
| Record | Who issues it | Years held | First copy | Shortest published time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section2 | 1903 to today8 | $229 | In person: Same day2 |
| Death certificate | Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section3 | 1903 to today10 | $209 | In person: Same day3 |
| Marriage certificate | County clerk of the county that issued the marriage license4 | 1966 to today (index/verification only)4 | – | – |
| Divorce records | District clerk of the county where the divorce was granted4 | 1968 to today (index/verification only)4 | – | – |
Birth certificate
- Who holds it
- Local registrars and county clerks also issue certified birth copies; some issue for births anywhere in Texas5
- Older records
- County clerk of the county of birth (births recorded before 1903)11
- Ways to order
- Online, by mail, in person, at a local office
How to get a Texas birth certificate
Death certificate
- Who holds it
- Local registrars and county clerks in the county/city where the death occurred also issue long-form death certificates5
- Older records
- County clerk of the county of death (deaths recorded before 1903)11
- Ways to order
- Online, by mail, in person, at a local office
How to get a Texas death certificate
Marriage certificate
- Who holds it
- DSHS issues only verification letters (marriages since 1966), not certified copies4
- Older records
- County clerk where the license was issued4
- Ways to order
- Online, by mail, in person, at a local office
How to get a Texas marriage certificate
Divorce records
- Who holds it
- DSHS issues only divorce verification letters (divorces since 1968), not certified decrees4
- Older records
- District clerk where the divorce was granted4
- Ways to order
- Online, by mail, in person, at a local office
How to get Texas divorce records
Local offices
- Local offices issue certified copies
- Yes5
- Which offices
- Local registrar (city/county) or county clerk for births and deaths; county clerk for marriage licenses; district clerk for divorce decrees12
- Any office for any county
- Some local offices issue birth records for births anywhere in Texas; otherwise local offices issue for events in their area5
- Directory
- Official list of local offices5
Access rules and the law
- Who may get certified copies
- Closed: birth records are confidential for 75 years and death records for 25 years; certified copies only to qualified applicants13
Laws and rules the office cites
- Texas Health and Safety Code ch. 191 (vital statistics general provisions, fees 191.0045, mail ID 191.0031, certified copies 191.051)12
- Texas Health and Safety Code ch. 192 (birth records)14
- Texas Health and Safety Code ch. 193 (death records)15
- Texas Government Code 552.115 (confidentiality of birth and death records)13
- Texas Family Code ch. 2 (marriage license)16
- Texas Local Government Code ch. 118 (county clerk fees)17
The state office
- Office
- Vital Statistics Section, Texas Department of State Health Services1
- Phone
- 888-963-71111
- Mailing address
- Texas Vital Statistics, Department of State Health Services, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-204018
- Walk-in address
- DSHS - Vital Statistics Section, 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 7875619
- Hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST1
- Website
- Official website1
Questions people ask
How much do birth and death certificates cost in Texas?
A certified birth certificate costs $22 for the first copy and a death certificate $20.9
What is the phone number of the Texas vital records office?
Vital Statistics Section, Texas Department of State Health Services: 888-963-7111.1
Where do I get a marriage certificate in Texas?
County clerk of the county that issued the marriage license. DSHS issues only verification letters (marriages since 1966), not certified copies.4
Where do I get divorce records in Texas?
District clerk of the county where the divorce was granted. DSHS issues only divorce verification letters (divorces since 1968), not certified decrees.4
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 6, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.
- Texas Department of State Health Services: Contact usTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Texas DSHS birth recordsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Death RecordsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Marriage and Divorce FAQsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Order Records LocallyTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Vital StatisticsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Texas.gov Order Vital Records (official state portal, ovra.txapps.texas.gov)Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Birth Record FAQsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Costs and FeesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Death Record FAQsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Vital Statistics Indexes FAQTexas State Library and Archives Commissiondated August 31, 2026
- Texas statute, Texas Legislature Online (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), HS chapter 191Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes)
- Texas Government Code chapter 552Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes)
- Texas statute, Texas Legislature Online (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), HS chapter 192Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes)
- Texas statute, Texas Legislature Online (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), HS chapter 193Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes)
- Texas statute, Texas Legislature Online (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), FA chapter 2Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes)
- Texas statute, Texas Legislature Online (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), LG chapter 118Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes)
- Vital Statistics Mailing AddressesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Mail application for birth record VS 140 1.2026 (PDF)Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Sectiondated January 1, 2026