What is the birth registry process at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women?
Once your baby is born, you will receive a birth informaon packet to complete. One of our birth registrars will visit with
you to answer any quesons and ensure the informaon is accurate. For every live birth, Texas Children’s Hospital is
required to submit a record of birth within ve days. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Vital
Stascs completes processing of the record. This informaon is used to create a birth cercate. Although your baby was
born at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, we do not have, nor provide, a birth cercate or social security card.
*The birth registry process can vary slightly depending on marital status, adopon, surrogacy, etc.
Our birth registrars can answer any addional quesons you may have.
What are the benets of a birth certicate?
A cered birth cercate is a permanent legal document led with the State of Texas that establishes your
child’s identy and is used to apply for medical or governmental services, passports, school admission, etc.
Birth
Registry
Frequently Asked Questions
Pavilion for Women
Do I need to select a name for my child prior to leaving the hospital?
We recommend selecng a name and compleng the birth cercate process before discharge from the hospital. Texas
Children’s Hospital is required to submit the record of birth within ve days. Without a name provided, the record will
list the baby’s rst name as infant with the mother’s last name as the last name. You will be required to contact the
Bureau of Vital Stascs to amend the birth cercate to your child’s legal name and pay required fees.
Texas Children’s Hospital cannot apply for a Social Security card on your behalf with the name infant; therefore you
would need to apply for a card aer the birth cercate amendment is completed.
Are there additional steps to the birth registration if I am not married?
Yes, an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) will need to be completed. An AOP is a legal document that allows parents
who are not married to establish legal paternity. This is a voluntary process requiring the signatures of
both biological parents. Our cered Birth Registrars can answer any addional quesons you may have.
How do I get a copy of my baby’s birth certicate?
As a parent, you can request and purchase a cered copy of your child’s birth cercate from the Bureau of Vital
Stascs at 8000 North Stadium Drive, Houston, TX 77504 (713-837-0311).
To order online, visit houstontx.gov/health/BirthCert or order online through the state at texas.gov.
Birth cercates are processed by the Bureau of Vital Stascs, but are typically accessible aer 30 days with a cost of
$23.00 per copy.
How do I get a Social Security card for my baby?
If you wish to receive a Social Security card for your baby, you will mark the appropriate box within the birth informaon
packet. Texas Children’s Hospital will provide the request to the Social Security Administraon oce and they will
process and mail the card to your home. If you requested a Social Security card within the birth packet, and you do not
receive it aer six weeks, please contact the Social Security Administraon at 1-800-772-1213.
© 2023 Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved. PFW-9730-23
Need more information?
Please contact us:
Birth Registraon Oce
3rd oor, Pavilion for Women
832-826-3333
Pavilion for Women
