Thread: Texas officials refuse birth certificates for citizen kids of illegal aliens

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Ordering Birth Certificates Online

For fast, affordable service, order Texas birth certificates through Texas.gov, the official eGoverment site for the State of Texas.

The current estimated processing time for Texas.gov orders is 10–15 business days.Births within the past 75 years are considered protected records.

Texas residents can only order:

• their own birth records; or
• the birth records of immediate family members. See Section 181.1(13) of the Texas Administrative Code for what qualifies as an immediate family member.

Non-Texas residents can only order:

• their own records; or
• the records of their children if they are listed as a parent on the record.

Go to Texas.gov

Can't order online? Order by Mail.

Last updated February 11, 2015

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• Home >
• Texas Vital Statistics >
• Request Certificates >
• Ordering Birth Certificates by Mail

Ordering Birth Certificates by Mail

1. Obtain and complete an application for a certified copy of a birth certirficate.Copies of birth certificates for births that occurred within the past 75 years can be requested only by the immediate family of the person whose name is on the birth certificate.

See Section 181.1(13) of the Texas Administrative Code for what qualifies as an immediate family member. Applicants who are not immediate family members must provide legal documentation (such as a court order establishing guardianship) that demonstrates a direct, tangible interest in the birth certificate.

2. Send the completed application and payment using one of the methods listed in the table below.The applicant must include a photocopy of his or her valid photo ID issued by a governmental entity.

See Section 181.28 of the the Texas Administrative Code for a complete list of acceptable forms of identification.Applications for birth certificates cannot be processed without a photo ID or alternate IDs and the signature of the applicant.

Order methods	Instructions	Cost	Payment methods	Estimated processing time
In person	Visit our office: 1100 W. 49th St. Austin, TX 78756 Monday–Friday 8 am–5 pm	$22–Certified copy $60–Heirloom	Cash Check Credit/Debit Card+ Money order	5–30 minutes Note: Some applications may require 24 hours or more to process.
Expedited Service	Application–pdf(28K) Orders must be sent to the Texas Department of State Health Services—Vital Statistics Unit via an overnight mail service, such as: Fedex Lonestar UPS Do not send via USPS Priority Mail.	$22–Certified copy $60–Heirloom + $5 expedited processing fee + $8 return delivery for Lonestar (within Texas) or Fedex (outside of Texas) or $19.95 for P.O. Box and express mail (optional)*	Check Money order	10–15 business days Note: Incomplete or unacceptable applications will require additional processing time.
U.S. Postal Service	Application–pdf(28K)	$22–Certified copy $60–Heirloom + $8 return delivery for Lonestar (within Texas) or Fedex (outside of Texas) or $19.95 for P.O. Box and express mail (optional)*	Check Money order	6–8 weeks

*Additional carrier rates for Saturday and international shipping will apply.
+Credit cards will require a $2.25 processing fee.


Last updated February 11, 2015

Contact Us | Visitor Information | Site Map | Search | Topics A-Z | Compact with Texans | File Viewing InformationInternet Policy | HHS Agencies | Homeland Security | Statewide Search | Texas.gov | Privacy Practices