Obtaining a
Birth Certificate
in Texas
Obtaining a
Birth Certificate in Texas
To request a birth certificate, you must be
the person named on the certificate, his/her
legal representative, or immediate family
member.
Immediate family members include the person’s child,
parent/guardian, brother/sister, grandparent, or spouse.
Acceptable Identification
You must present acceptable identification
(ID)*.
Most Common IDs*
• Driver's License from a U.S. state
• Federal or state ID card
• Military ID card
• U.S. passport
Most Common Foreign IDs*
• El Salvadoran consular certification
• El Salvadoran Unique Identity Card (DUI)
• Honduran consular certification
• Mexican voter registration card
* Foreign IDs require additional ID. Details and full list
of acceptable IDs on back.
Application and Payment
You must complete the application, with
no cross outs, no white out, no correction
tape, and sign the application in front of a
notary.
Be sure to provide an accepted form of
payment, typically a check or money order.
Texas Department of State Health Services
Get more information about ordering birth
certificates and other vital records at:
dshs.texas.gov/vs
Contact Texas Vital Statistics
Have questions?
Contact DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin at:
1-888-963-7111
registrar@dshs.texas.gov
Order Online
For fastest, easiest service, order birth
certificates online at:
dshs.texas.gov/order
Full list of
Acceptable Identification
Vital Statistics accepts the following form(s)
of identification:
• Provide ONE (1) from GROUP A; OR
• If you do not have one from Group A,
provide TWO (2) from GROUP B; OR
• If you do not have one from Group A or
two from Group B, provide ONE (1) from
GROUP B and TWO (2) from GROUP C.
Group A – PRIMARY ACCEPTABLE ID
Please provide ONE (1) from GROUP A:
• Driver's license
• Federal or state ID
• Military ID
• U.S. passport
• License to Carry a Handgun
• Pilot's license
• Law enforcement employment ID
(federal, state, or city)
• Offender ID issued by the Texas Dept. of
Criminal Justice or an ID from a federal or
U.S. state correctional facility or
institution
• Dept. of Homeland Security, United
States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) issued:
▪ Employment Authorization
Document (EAD)
▪ Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
▪ Travel Documents:
- Re-entry permit
- Refugee travel document
- Advance parole
continued...
Group A, continued.
▪ SENTRI card
▪ U.S. citizen ID
• U.S. Dept. of State issued:
▪ Border Crossing Card (BCC) - B1 for
business or pleasure or B2
medical purposes
▪ Visa
Group B – SECONDARY ID
If you do not have one from Group A, please
provide TWO (2) from GROUP B:
• Current student ID
• Any Primary Acceptable ID from Group A
that is expired
• Signed Social Security card or Numident
• DD Form 214 Certificate of Release
• Medicaid or Medicare card
• Veterans Affairs card
• Medical insurance card
• Foreign passport accompanied by a visa
issued by the U.S. Dept. of State
• Foreign passport in accordance with the
U.S. Dept. of State, Visa Waiver Program
• Certified birth certificate from the U.S.
Dept. of State (FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545)
• Private company employment ID
• Form I-94 - accompanied by the
applicant's visa or passport
• Mexican voter registration card
• Foreign ID with identifiable photo of
applicant (including El Salvador consular
certification, El Salvadoran Unique
Identity Card [DUI], and Honduran
consular certification)
Group C – SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
If you do not have one from Group A or two
from Group B, provide ONE (1) from GROUP B
and TWO (2) from GROUP C:
• Recent utility bill or cell phone bill with
current address
• Recent paycheck stub
• Any Secondary Acceptable ID from Group
B that is expired
• Public assistance applications or letters
• Signed valid voter’s registration card
• Police report of stolen identification
• Official school transcript
• Bank account statement
• Social Security letter
• Marriage license or divorce decree
• Certified birth certificate from a state
other than Texas, District of Columbia, or
other country
• Automobile insurance card or contract
• Lease agreement
• Loan or installment payment contract
• Promissory note or loan contract
• Court order
• Property title or lien
• Automobile title or registration
• Library card
• Fishing or hunting license
• Recent medical record or bill
• Religious record w/signature of officiant
• Recent rent receipt w/address and name
• Federal, state, or local tax records
• U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security notice
or correspondence
