How to Find Texas Birth Records

Statewide registration of births began in 1903 in Texas.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record:


 * Births before 1873
 * Births from 1873 thru 1902
 * Births after 1902
 * I don't know when the birth is


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Births before 1873
Before 1873, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1873 thru 1902
As early as 1873, some counties and towns began recording births in Texas. Delayed birth records aka "probate births" also exist. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following database:

Obtain the Record
With approximate birth years and places, write to the appropriate county recorder to obtain birth records during this period. A list of Texas counties is available.

Delayed birth records are available at the Texas State Library and Archives.

There are no restrictions on these records. Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 1902
Statewide registration of births began in 1903 in Texas.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases:

Obtain the Certificate
With full names, dates and places of an event, you can order a copy of the birth certificate for a fee from the Texas Department of State Health Services or VitalChek.

Restrictions for persons born within the last 75 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 75 years, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parent of the person on the certificate
 * An immediate family member
 * The legal guardian of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 75 years have passed from the date of the birth.

'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. Birth Records
 * United States Record Finder
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records


 * Online Texas Vital Records and Indexes, index
 * Fold3 Texas Birth Certificates ($), index
 * Texas, Birth Certificates, 1903-1932 ($)
 * Texas Births, 1926 - 1995 ($), index