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1. Who can request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate?

All applicants must present a personal valid ID and complete an application. Qualified Applicants are listed below. 

For Birth Certificates: 

• The certificate holder
• The spouse of the certificate holder, with a copy of the marriage license to prove relationship
• The parent of the certificate holder, who is listed as such on the certificate
• The child of the certificate holder, must present a copy of his or her birth certificate with the parent listed 
• The grandparent of the certificate holder, with a copy of the birth certificate of his or her child who is listed as the parent on the requested certificate
• A sibling of the certificate holder, with a copy of his or her birth certificate having at least one of the same parents listed
• Legal Guardian of the certificate holder with a certified court order establishing legal custody 
• A person presenting legal documentation proving a tangible interest in the certificate

For Death Certificates: 

• The spouse of the certificate holder, who is listed as such on the certificate
• The parent of the certificate holder, who is listed as such on the certificate
• The child of the certificate holder with a copy of their birth certificate showing the decedent as their parent
• The grandparent of the certificate holder, with a copy of the birth certificate of their child who is listed as the parent on the requested certificate
• A sibling of the certificate holder, with a copy of their birth certificate having at least one of the same parents listed
• A person presenting legal documentation proving a tangible interest in the certificate
• Attorneys with Valid Bar Card or License, using a letter of request on company letterhead outlining the purpose of the requested document, or a court order or subpoena stating the need for the record

2. What if I am not an immediate family member?

You must have either the Substitute Application based on Notarized Statement or a legal document proving tangible interest in the certificate. Applications can be picked up in our office or downloaded from the website.

3. What is tangible interest?

Agencies such as Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies, Law Enforcement, Government or any other requester may be designated as a properly qualified applicant by demonstrating a direct and tangible interest in the record. Information from the certificate is necessary for the determination or protection of a personal or property right for a person, a client or an agency.

EXAMPLE: A letter typed on company letterhead addressed to the clients/applicants (full name), the full name of the person on the record requested and the purpose for the certificate. This letter would need to be signed and dated by the agent representing that company. The letter should be presented to the vital records office along with a photocopy of the policy or other documents that may establish tangible interest.

4. What if I don't have a valid I.D. or Driver License?

Valid identification is required in order to obtain a certified record. Please view the Valid Forms of ID Sheet (Spanish) for more information. A Primary ID is a United States issued ID only. A Secondary ID includes foreign IDs. The Matricula Consular Cards issued from Mexico and Honduras are not recognized by the State of Texas as valid ID. (See TX Admin. Code Pg. 19, Rule 181.28 (i) (6) and Local Registrar Handbook pages 42 and 44.)

5. Can I request a "copy" of my birth certificate without paying the $23 fee?

No. Any request for a certificate must be a certified copy of the original record.

6. I was not born in Texarkana, but I was born in Texas. Can I obtain a certificate in your office?

Yes, if you were born in Texas, we can provide a certificate. It is an abstract of the original issued from the state website. However, if you are needing a certificate to leave the country, apply for a passport or go on a cruise, please contact the county where you were born, www.texas.gov for the long form of your birth record. Certificates that include the "I" after the file number may or may not be accepted when applying for a passport.

7. What is the difference between a "Long" form and an "Abstract" birth certificate?

The "long" certificate includes more information on parents, time of birth, and physician's name. Passports, Indian Role Number, and some other legal situations require this form. When applying for an Native American Role Number, the certificate must come from the State of Texas at www.texas.gov.

The "abstract" state form will be accepted for anything except the situations above. The abstract contains the following information: full name, file number, date of birth, county of birth, parents' full name-includes maiden name, date certificate was filed and printed through our office.

8. I know I was born in Texas, but there is not a record on file for me. What do I need to do?

If no record is on file, you may send a completed Application for Birth or Death Record to the State of Texas - VSS or order online at www.texas.gov. If a record is found, your request can be fulfilled pending appropriate required documents. If no record is found, the state will mail you a packet to apply for a delayed birth record.