Frequently Asked Questions

Texas Birth Certificates provides two easy ways of ordering a certified copy of a Texas Birth Certificate: Online or By Mail. Using our Text Filler Form and step-by-step process, the application can be completed fully online, with no mistakes. For a service fee, Texas Birth Certificates can process your order online, saving you a trip to the post office. Once your order has been confirmed, your certified copy will be mailed to you.

Yes. The certified copies of birth certificates are official documents issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section, recognized and accepted by all state and federal agencies. Certified copies can be used to prove identity, age, or citizenship for purposes including: obtaining a passport or state-issued driver's license, employment, travel, school enrollment, and social security.

Texas Birth Certificates accepts Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, and Discover. Please contact us for additional payment methods.

No identification is needed to complete the application form itself. However, Texas requires a notarized application to prove the identity of the requestor. During the notarization process, you will need to present a valid photo ID.

DSHS accepts primary ID (Texas driver's license/ID, U.S. passport, military ID, permanent resident card) or two secondary IDs (expired primary ID, student ID, signed Social Security card), or one secondary ID plus two supporting documents.

A Texas birth certificate costs $22 per copy (DSHS state fee). See our complete fee breakdown for all associated costs.

Ordering online will incur an additional service fee.

Yes. Texas requires a notarized application when ordering a certified copy of a birth certificate by mail. Instead of traveling to a notary, you can connect with a live remote online notary public through NotaryLive.com and have your application notarized within minutes.

Texas issues two types of certified birth certificates. The long form (full birth certificate) contains all original registration details including parents' information. It is required for passport applications, REAL ID, and dual citizenship. The short form (abstract) contains core identifying information and is acceptable for school registration and most employment purposes. Both cost $22 through DSHS.

Yes. Texas County Clerks can issue certified copies for births registered in their county, often same-day walk-in service. Note that county clerks can only issue copies for births that occurred in that specific county. For births in a different county or for statewide access, order through DSHS Vital Statistics Section directly.