This page contains information about how to obtain copies of Texas vital records. Requests for certified copies of a Birth or Death Certifcate should be directed to the Texas Local Registration Offices Birth & Death Certificates.

Marriage Licenses & Divorce Decrees. Requests for certified copies of a Marriage License should be directed to the County Clerk's Office in which the event occurred. Requests for certified copies of a Divorce Decree should be directed to the District Clerk's Office in which the event occurred.

The information on the pages is constantly being updated with information obtained from vital records offices and other Web Sites. If you find any mistakes in the information provided, please let me know so I can make updates. If you obtain any new information about the prices or availability of vital records, please email me the information so we can update it.

Texas State Vital Records Office
Bureau of Vital Statistics, Dept. of Health
P. O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
(512) 458-7111
Email: register@tdh.state.tx.us

Make Payments To: Texas Department of Health. (fees are not refundable, even if no record is found.)

Make your letters concise and to the point. Do NOT include more than one or two requests at once.

Provide complete information on an individual and why you need the documents. Include all names that may have been used, including nicknames, alternate spellings, etc. Provide dates and type of document or information needed as completely and accurately as possible. If you need help, try to call their office.

Patience pays! Unless you already know the # of pages in a deed, or the exact cost of a document, don't send a specific amount of money in cash or a check. It is appropriate to send a signed, BLANK check, however, with a notation written, (preferably in red ink), UNDER the "$__________" line of the check which states, "Not to exceed $5.00", or any amount you wish to specify. If you don't care to do that, you will need to make your first letter a statement of what records you need and a request for them to send you a statement of charges. You can then send a check for the exact amount in a second letter.

Always provide an S.A.S.E., (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope).

County offices have limited personnel and are often swamped with paper work. Queries are done as a service which is outside of their realm of responsibility. Please exercise patience and courtesy in your transactions with their offices.