Harris County, Texas (TX) Birth Certificate Online

Order a Harris County, Texas (TX) Birth Certificate online. Complete a simple form to get a certified copy of a TX birth certificate and avoid long lines at the Harris County vital records office.

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Harris County, TX Birth Certificate Replacement

A Harris County, Texas birth certificate is an essential legal document that serves as a citizen’s proof of identity, age, and citizenship.

A Harris County birth certificate is a required document when an individual wants to:

  • Get married
  • Apply for a passport, social security card, or other forms of government-issued IDs
  • Register in school or university, and much more

If a Harris County birth certificate got lost, stolen, or was misplaced or destroyed, the citizen will need to ask for a Texas birth certificate replacement.

Obtaining a certified copy of a birth certificate in Harris County, TX no longer requires waiting in line for hours at a vital records office since this can now be done from the citizen’s cellphone, tablet, or personal computer.

Applying for a Harris County, Texas birth certificate online is easy and straightforward. Simply follow our personalized instructions and fill out the application form in just a few minutes.

Once your Harris County birth certificate request has been processed, you will receive a government-issued copy of your vital records at home.

Who can request a certified copy of a birth certificate in Harris County, Texas?

Birth and death records kept in Harris County —and the rest of Texas— are _not _public records. Harris County birth records are considered private 75 years after the birth occurred. Harris County death records are restricted for 25 years after the event was recorded.

Harris County birth certificate requests can only be filled when they are made by immediate family members with valid identification (or legal representatives of the certificate holder):

  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Legal spouse
  • Sibling
  • Children

The Harris County Clerk's office can provide a short-form birth certificate for citizens born in the State of Texas outside Harris County.

The Harris County Clerk's Office can provide applicants with a long-form birth certificate when the certificate bearer was born outside the city limits of:

  • Houston
  • Baytown
  • La Porte
  • South Houston
  • Jacinto City
  • Justice of the Peace Precincts 3 & 4

Applicants may post their Texas birth certificate application form to the DSHS —this would be easier— or to the vital records office where the birth was registered if you need to obtain a full certified copy of a birth certificate.

Please note that the fees may vary depending on whether the Harris County birth certificate replacement is issued at the state office or the county office.

As of May 7, 2025, U.S. citizens and residents must have a REAL ID-compliant driving license or ID card to enter federal facilities and board commercial aircraft. Requirements to obtain a REAL ID may include proof of identity, such as a certified copy of the birth certificate.

How to Obtain an Official Harris County Birth Certificate

Getting a certified copy of a birth certificate in Harris County, Texas is a straightforward process that can be completed with little to no hassle:

  1. Complete the Harris County birth certificate application online (available by clicking the button on this page), print and sign the form
  2. Include a Notarized Proof of Identification form (which must be signed and notarized, a copy of both sides of your valid identification (State Issued ID, Driver's License, Passport, etc.) along with your payment
  3. Mail it to the Texas Department of State Health Services

Mailing address for certified Harris County birth certificate copies:

Department of State Health Services,
1100 W. 49th Street,
Austin, TX 78756

Copies of Birth and Death Certificates may also be ordered from the Harris County Clerk by mailing your application package to the following address, although fees may be slightly higher than ordering from the State of Texas DSHS:

Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline, Suite 330
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 274-8686

See the full list of Texas vital records offices below for births that occurred in different locations.

You also have the option to print out your Harris County birth certificate application package and submit it in person at the County Clerk’s Office.

Harris County Birth Certificate Required Information

To get a certified copy of a Harris County, Texas birth certificate, an eligible applicant will need to complete the online birth certificate application with the following personal data:

  • Gender
  • Date and place of birth
  • Reason to request the certificate (state “Apostille” if you need to use the record abroad)
  • Full name (as it would appear on the certificate)
  • Mother’s maiden name
  • Father’s name prior to first marriage

Citizens applying for a certified copy of a Harris County birth certificate need to prove their identity.

Proof of Identity for Harris County Birth Certificate Application

A birth certificate applicant can prove their identity by providing a clear photocopy of both sides of one of the following acceptable identification documents, alongside the Harris County birth certificate application form:

  • US passport
  • US citizen ID card
  • US Driver's license
  • Federal or state ID card

See more options of acceptable identification documents
  • Visa
  • SENTRI card
  • Pilot's license
  • Military ID card
  • Re-entry permit
  • Advance parole
  • Refugee travel document
  • License to Carry a Handgun
  • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
  • Law enforcement employment ID (federal, state, or city)
  • Offender ID issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or an ID from a federal or US state correctional facility or institution
  • Border Crossing Card (BCC) – B1 for business or pleasure or B2 medical purposes

Harris County applicants unable to provide one of the credentials listed above may present clear photocopies of both sides of 2 of the following documents as proof of identity:

  • Current student ID
  • Veterans Affairs card
  • Medical insurance card

  • Signed Social Security card or Numident

    See more options of acceptable identification documents

  • Mexican voter registration card
  • Medicaid card or Medicare card
  • DD Form 214 Certificate of Release
  • Private company employment ID card
  • Any document stated above that has expired
  • Form I-94 - accompanied by the applicant's visa or passport
  • Foreign photo identification (including El Salvador consular certification, El Salvadoran Unique Identity Card [DUI], and Honduran consular certification)
  • Foreign passport in accordance with the US Department of State, Visa Waiver Program
  • Foreign passport accompanied by a visa issued by the US Department of State
  • Certified birth certificate from the US Department of State (FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545)

Citizens of Harris County, Texas (TX) that do not have any of the aforementioned documents at hand at the time they apply for a certified copy of a birth certificate, may have other options available to prove their identity.

Birth Certificate Types in Harris County

Harris County citizens who order a replacement birth certificate in Texas should understand the different types of birth certificates available in order to make sure to order the correct document to fulfill their needs. For example, short-form Harris County birth certificates may not be acceptable to obtain a passport.

Full copy of a Harris County, TX birth certificate

An authorized copy of a Harris County birth certificate is a government-issued copy of the original document. It is also known as a long-form birth certificate or certified copy of a Harris County birth certificate.

This type of Harris County birth certificate includes any corrections made to the birth record, such as a name change or amendment.

If you need your birth certificate to enroll in college, apply for a state-issued identification document (including a driver’s license or US passport), get married, or for other legal purposes, then you need to order an authorized copy of your birth certificate. An informational (or short-form) copy will not be accepted to prove your identity.

A long-form Harris County birth certificate will carry the registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal.

A full Harris County birth certificate also includes the registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office.

Abstract copy of a Harris County birth certificate

An informational copy of a Harris County birth certificate is also known as a short-form birth certificate. It is an abstract of the birth record and will not be accepted in many cases where proof of identity is required.

An abstract of a Harris County birth certificate only shows the individual's name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and name of parent(s).

Short-form Harris County birth certificates or informational copies bear the following message imprinted across the face of the copy:

“Informational, not a valid document to establish identity”

Harris County Heirloom birth certificate

Harris County heirloom birth certificates are mainly used as a keepsake for framing and display.

A Harris County, Texas [Heirloom birth certificate]() is a type of abstract or short-form birth certificate that bears no legal validity.

Birth Certificate for Election Identification in Harris County

Harris County citizens are eligible to obtain a birth certificate specifically issued to obtain an Election Identification Certificate.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) waives the fee to obtain a certified copy of a Harris County birth certificate that is issued exclusively to obtain an Election Identification Certificate (EIC).

Birth certificates for election identification in Harris County can only be issued once during a citizen's lifetime and bear the message:

"For Election Identification Purposes Only."

The fee waiver is exclusively available for issuance of an EIC certified birth record. To qualify for the fee waiver, the citizen must visit the Harris County Clerk, or another vital records office in Texas, the Vital Statistics Unit (VSU), or a local registrar in the State of Texas.

This type of birth certificate cannot be requested on behalf of another citizen.

Birth Verification Letter

If you need to search for Harris County records to verify a birth that occurred there, you may request a Harris County birth verification letter at the vital records office.

Harris County birth verification letters state whether a record of birth for the citizen is on file. Nevertheless, birth verification letters are not considered legal substitutes for certified copies of a Harris County birth certificate.

The information provided in a Harris County Birth Verification Letter includes the certificate bearer’s name, date of birth, and county where the birth occurred.

Dallas, Texas Acceptable IDs for Birth Certificate Application

Since all Texas births recorded less than 75 years ago are private records, citizens applying for a certified copy of a Dallas County birth certificate need to prove their identity.

This can be done by providing one of the following acceptable identification documents, alongside your birth certificate application form:

  • US passport
  • US citizen ID card
  • US Driver's license
  • Federal or state ID card

See more options of acceptable identification documents
  • Visa
  • SENTRI card
  • Pilot's license
  • Military ID card
  • Re-entry permit
  • Advance parole
  • Refugee travel document
  • License to Carry a Handgun
  • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
  • Law enforcement employment ID (federal, state, or city)
  • Offender ID issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or an ID from a federal or US state correctional facility or institution
  • Border Crossing Card (BCC) – B1 for business or pleasure or B2 medical purposes

Dallas birth certificate applicants unable to provide one of the documents listed above may present 2 of the following credentials as proof of identity:

  • Current student ID
  • Veterans Affairs card
  • Medical insurance card
  • Signed Social Security card or Numident

More options of acceptable identification documents

  • Mexican voter registration card
  • Medicaid card or Medicare card
  • DD Form 214 Certificate of Release
  • Private company employment ID card
  • Any document stated above that has expired
  • Form I-94 - accompanied by the applicant's visa or passport
  • Foreign photo identification (including El Salvador consular certification, El Salvadoran Unique Identity Card [DUI], and Honduran consular certification)
  • Foreign passport in accordance with the US Department of State, Visa Waiver Program
  • Foreign passport accompanied by a visa issued by the US Department of State
  • Certified birth certificate from the US Department of State (FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545)

Citizens of Texas unable to produce the above documents may have other options available to prove their identity.

Citizens born in the city of Dallas or the rest of Dallas County, Texas (TX) that do not have any of the aforementioned credentials to present, may have other options available to prove their identity.

In Dallas County, as well as the rest of the State of Texas, all births recorded within the past 75 years are considered protected records. Therefore, only specific individuals are eligible to apply for a Dallas birth certificate.

Who can request a certified copy of a birth certificate in Dallas, Texas?

An official copy of a Dallas birth certificate can be ordered by:

  • The certificate holder
  • An immediate family member: parents, grandparents, children, siblings, spouse
  • Local, state and federal law enforcement or governmental agencies and legal representatives when providing legal documentation (such as a court order establishing guardianship) that demonstrates a direct, tangible interest in the vital record

Birth Certificate Apostille in Harris County, Texas

Harris County, TX citizens who need to provide a copy of their birth certificate abroad need to take an extra step to provide the vital record with international legal validity.

This can be done by obtaining an apostille on the Harris County birth certificate:

  1. Order a certified copy of the Harris County, Texas Birth Certificate
  2. When filling out the order form, state "Apostille" as the reason for your birth certificate application
  3. Upon receiving the certified copy of the Harris County, TX birth certificate,mail the complete document to the Texas Secretary of State's office with the required apostille fee for authentication. Please note that certified copies must have been issued within the past 5 years

Texas Authentications Unit street address:

Secretary of State

Authentications Unit
1019 Brazos
Austin, TX 78701
Walk-In Service: Room 106

Texas Authentications unit PO BOX:

Secretary of State

Authentications Unit
PO Box 13550
Austin, TX 78711-3550

Birth Certificate Cost in Harris County, Texas

When ordering a copy of a birth certificate in Harris County, Texas, (TX) it is necessary to pay the appropriate issuance fee.

The Harris County, Texas birth certificate fee is of $22 for each copy issued by the DSHS. However, applicants who submit their request at the Harris County Vital Statistics Office will be charges $25 instead.

It is advisable to order several copies using the same birth certificate application form. Additional copies can be kept on file ready for future use. Extra copies of the same Harris County birth certificate ordered within a single application form carry the same cost as the first copy.

Military personnel with a current deployment order born in Harris County are granted exemption from fees for birth certificate applications in the state of Texas.

Harris County, Texas Birth Certificate Processing Times

Birth certificate orders placed in Harris County, Texas usually have a turnaround time of about 20 to 25 days.

Citizens that need a Harris County birth certificate issued urgently have the option to print out their completed application package, sign and take it with the required documents and fee then walk in the Harris County Clerk’s office during opening hours.

Although this usually requires waiting in line for hours, it may result in same-day delivery if the document is found on record at the same office —to save time, make sure to visit the office where the birth record was filed.

Texas Vital Records Office

The following is a complete list of Vital Records and Health offices that can provide Birth Certificate copies in Texas.

The simplest way to obtain a certified copy of a Harris County birth certificate is to mail your request with the necessary requirements to the State of Texas DSHS.

Keep in mind that the Harris County Clerk’s office may only issue full-length birth certificates for citizens whose record is kept on location and will issue short-form certificates for those whose birth was registered in a different office. Therefore, it is advisable to mail your request to the state office directly.

If you would still like your order processed by the Harris County Clerk, please make sure to use the office where the record was first registered

FAQs About Harris County, (TX) Birth Certificates

  • Where can I get a copy of a Harris County, Texas Birth Certificate?

    Once the citizen has completed a Harris County birth certificate application form, they will need to print and sign it and have the required documents at hand (as detailed above).

    Next, the applicant can either mail their birth certificate application package or submit it in person at the vital records office. There are different addresses where citizens can obtain a Harris County birth certificate (see full addresses above).

    The easiest would be to send your request to DSHS and have the Harris birth certificate issued bt the State of Texas rather than the county office.

    Whenever this is not possible, it is important to submit the application at the Harris County vital records office where the birth was first recorded in order to obtain a long-form birth certificate. Otherwise, a short-form birth certificate would be issued.

  • What information do I need to obtain a birth certificate in Harris County, Texas (TX)?

    To request a certified copy of a Harris County birth certificate you must be either the certificate holder or an immediate family member and fill the form with the following details:

    • Full name on the birth certificate
    • Date and place of birth
    • Full name of father and mother (including mother’s maiden name)
    • Valid identification (current state Driver’s License/photo ID preferred)
    • Reason for requesting the record (marriage, Apostille, school enrollment, etc.)

  • How much does a Harris County, Texas birth certificate cost?

    Each copy of a government-issued Harris County, Texas birth certificate carries a state fee of $23.00 when issued by DSHS. Copies processed by the Harris County Office, carry a fee of $25 instead.

    It is advisable to order multiple copies of a Harris County birth certificate at a time to keep at hand for future use. Extra copies of a birth certificate requested within a single order form carry the same cost per document.

  • How do I amend a birth certificate in Harris County, Texas?

    To amend a Harris County birth certificate to establish legal paternity for a child born to unmarried parents, an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) must be filed.

    To file a new birth certificate based on parentage in Harris County, Texas, parents can:

    1. Order a certified copy of the Harris County, TX birth certificate that is to be corrected by filling out the online form (available by clicking the button above)
    2. Visit a Harris County Clerk's Office (full address above) with the birth certificate that is to be amended (some offer AOP services without an appointment). Both parents must be present and provide valid identification for notarization as well as the $25.00 issuance fees
    3. There is an additional fee of $22.00 for a certified copy of the updated Harris County birth certificate
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