Texas ranks 41st out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#36of 51
Speed#40of 51
Ease of ordering#29 (tie)of 51
Birth certificates #33 of 51
Cost
$22 first copy, $22 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 20–25 business days; mail: 25–30 business days (the mail form says to allow 6–8 weeks before it is sent); in person: same day in most cases
Time until the copy is in hand
About 7–9 weeks by mail (estimate); same day in person
Where to order
Statewide through Texas DSHS, or a local registrar / county clerk
Order online
Yes, through Texas.gov
Records available
State records from 1903
Marriage records #36 (tie) of 51
Cost
Varies by county; the state sells only a $20 verification letter, not a certified copy
Processing time
Varies by county
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by county
Where to order
County only: the County Clerk where the marriage license was issued
Order online
No online ordering of certified copies; the state’s $20 verification letter can be ordered through Texas.gov
Records available
State verification index from 1966
Divorce records #27 (tie) of 51
Cost
Varies by county; the state sells only a $20 verification letter, not a certified copy
Processing time
Varies by county
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by county
Where to order
County only: the District Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted
Order online
No online ordering of certified copies; the state’s $20 verification letter can be ordered through Texas.gov
Records available
State verification index from 1968
Death certificates #30 of 51
Cost
$20 first copy, $3 each extra copy ordered at the same time
Processing time
Online: 20–25 business days; mail: 25–30 business days (the mail form says to allow 6–8 weeks before it is sent); in person: same day in most cases
Time until the copy is in hand
About 7–9 weeks by mail (estimate); same day in person
Where to order
Statewide through Texas DSHS, or a local registrar / county clerk
Order online
Yes, through Texas.gov
Records available
State records from 1903
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Texas birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Texas birth certificate?
A certified Texas birth certificate costs $22 per copy (long or short form) from Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. Order online through Texas.gov (about 20–25 business days to process), by mail (about 25–30 business days), or in person in Austin or at a local registrar or county clerk, where most walk-in requests are done the same day.
Texas birth records: ordering details
Who can order
The person named on the record, their immediate family (child, parent, brother or sister, grandparent, spouse), a legal guardian, or a legal representative. Anyone else needs legal papers showing a direct, tangible interest. Birth certificates are restricted for 75 years after the birth. Online: Texas residents can order their own or an immediate family member’s; out-of-state residents can order only their own or their child’s (if listed as a parent). Others must order by mail or in person.
Fee
$22 for each certified copy (long form or short form). Heirloom (display) certificate: $60. A birth verification letter (not a certified copy) is also $22. Extras: expedited processing $25 (mail only, sent by overnight service with paid overnight return: $16, or $22.95 USPS Express to a P.O. box). In person in Austin, paying by card adds $2.25. Fees are not refunded if no record is found.
How to order
Online:Texas.gov vital records ordering (DSHS’s official application; credit or debit card). By mail:form VS-140, signed in front of a notary, to Texas Vital Statistics, Department of State Health Services, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Pay by check or money order to “DSHS Vital Statistics.” In person: DSHS Vital Statistics, 1100 W. 49th St., Austin (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.), or a local office.
ID needed
One primary ID (U.S. driver’s license, state or federal ID card, military ID or U.S. passport), or two secondary IDs, or one secondary ID plus two supporting documents. See the full ID list. By mail: send a photocopy and have the application notarized. In person: show the original. Online: your identity is checked with your driver’s license or state ID number and Social Security number.
Processing time
Texas.gov: 20–25 business days. Mail: 25–30 business days. These are DSHS averages and don’t include shipping. DSHS’s mail form says to allow 6–8 weeks before a mail order is sent out, or about 4 weeks with expedited processing. In person: same day in most cases (some take 24 hours or more). Estimate: plan on 7–9 weeks until a regular mail order arrives.
Older and local records
The state has Texas births from 1903 to today. Local registrars and county clerks in the county or city of birth also issue certified copies, and some can issue them for births anywhere in Texas. Local offices set their own fees, hours and rules. For family history, DSHS sells birth indexes from 1925 on ($10 per year).
Tip: Need it for a U.S. passport? Order the long form. If you need a copy soon, a walk-in visit to a local office or the Austin office is usually fastest; call the local office first to confirm its hours, fees and whether it prints copies while you wait.
A certified Texas death certificate costs $20 for the first copy and $3 for each extra copy ordered at the same time from Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. Order online through Texas.gov (about 20–25 business days), by mail (about 25–30 business days), or in person in Austin or at a local registrar or county clerk.
Texas death records: ordering details
Who can order
For deaths in the last 25 years: immediate family of the person who died (child, parent, brother or sister, grandparent, spouse), a legal guardian or legal representative, or someone with legal papers showing a direct, tangible interest (for example, an insurance policy naming them as beneficiary). Online: Texas residents can order for an immediate family member; out-of-state residents only if they are the surviving spouse, surviving parent or funeral director listed on the record.
Fee
$20 for the first certified copy, $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. A death verification letter (not a certified copy) is $20. Extras: expedited processing $25 (mail only, with paid overnight return: $16, or $22.95 USPS Express to a P.O. box). In person in Austin, paying by card adds $2.25. Fees are not refunded if no record is found.
How to order
Online:Texas.gov vital records ordering (credit or debit card). By mail:form VS-142, notarized, to Texas Vital Statistics, Department of State Health Services, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Pay by check, cashier’s check or money order to “DSHS Vital Statistics.” In person: DSHS Vital Statistics, 1100 W. 49th St., Austin (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.), or a local office in the county or city where the death happened.
ID needed
Same ID rules as birth certificates: one primary ID such as a driver’s license or passport, or the alternatives on the DSHS list. By mail: photocopy of your ID and a notarized application. In person: the original ID.
Processing time
Texas.gov: 20–25 business days. Mail: 25–30 business days (DSHS averages, shipping not included; the mail form says to allow 6–8 weeks, or about 4 weeks expedited). In person: same day in most cases. Estimate: plan on 7–9 weeks until a regular mail order arrives.
Older and local records
The state has Texas deaths from 1903 to today. Access to death certificates is restricted for 25 years after the death. For family history, DSHS sells death indexes from 1965 on ($10 per year).
Tip: Order every copy you’ll need (banks, insurers, pensions, the title office) in one order: extra copies are $3 each only when ordered with the first.
A certified copy of a Texas marriage license comes only from the county clerk in the county that issued the license; each county sets its own fee and wait time. The state (Texas DSHS) sells only a $20 marriage verification letter, which is not a certified copy and isn’t a legal substitute for the license.
Texas marriage records: ordering details
Certified copy vs. verification
Certified copy: from the county clerk where the license was issued. Use this when you need an official copy. State verification letter: confirms that a marriage was recorded with the state (names, date, place). Available for marriages from 1966 on. Check that a letter will work for your purpose before ordering one.
Who can order
Certified copy: set by the county clerk. Verification letter: DSHS’s application asks for both spouses’ names, the date and county of the marriage, and a copy of your photo ID.
Fee
Certified copy: set by each county. Verification letter: $20. Expedited processing for a mailed verification request: $25, plus paid overnight return shipping ($16, or $22.95 USPS Express to a P.O. box).
How to order
Certified copy: contact the county clerk (in person, by mail and, in some counties, online). Find the office in the DSHS local office directory. Verification letter: online through Texas.gov, by mail with form VS-142.9 to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040, or in person at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin.
ID needed
Certified copy: ask the county clerk. Verification by mail: a photocopy of a valid government photo ID.
Processing time
Certified copy: varies by county. Verification letter: 20–25 business days through Texas.gov, 25–30 business days by mail (DSHS averages, shipping not included); in person in Austin, usually the same day.
Older records
The state can verify marriages only from 1966 on. For earlier marriages, contact the county clerk where the license was issued. DSHS posts yearly marriage indexes (1966 on) that show which county a marriage was recorded in.
Tip: Not sure which county issued the license? Search the DSHS marriage indexes first, then order the certified copy from that county clerk.
A certified copy of a Texas divorce decree comes only from the district clerk in the county where the divorce was granted; fees and wait times vary by county. The state (Texas DSHS) sells only a $20 divorce verification letter, which is not a certified copy of the decree.
Texas divorce records: ordering details
Certified copy vs. verification
Certified copy of the decree: from the district clerk where the divorce was granted. Use this when you need an official copy. State verification letter: confirms that a divorce or annulment was recorded with the state (names, date, place). Available for divorces from 1968 on.
Who can order
Certified copy: set by the district clerk. Verification letter: DSHS’s application asks for both names, the date and county of the divorce, and a copy of your photo ID.
Fee
Certified copy: set by the district clerk. Verification letter: $20. Expedited processing for a mailed verification request: $25, plus paid overnight return shipping ($16, or $22.95 USPS Express to a P.O. box).
How to order
Certified copy: contact the district clerk’s office in the county where the divorce was granted (in person, by mail and, in some counties, online). Verification letter: online through Texas.gov, by mail with form VS-142.9 to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040, or in person at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin.
ID needed
Certified copy: ask the district clerk. Verification by mail: a photocopy of a valid government photo ID.
Processing time
Certified copy: varies by county. Verification letter: 20–25 business days through Texas.gov, 25–30 business days by mail (DSHS averages, shipping not included); in person in Austin, usually the same day.
Older records
The state can verify divorces only from 1968 on. For earlier divorces, contact the district clerk where the divorce was granted. DSHS posts yearly divorce indexes (1968 on) that show the county where each decree was filed.
Tip: The divorce indexes list the county where the decree is filed, which tells you which district clerk to contact.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Texas records people search for
Official Texas sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official Texas sites for other records
Court case lookup
re:SearchTX Statewide case search; needs an account, and coverage varies by county.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Texas public records
A variety of public records can be obtained by almost anyone that requests them in Texas. However, depending on the type of record being requested, some restrictions may apply. The State of Texas is not required to provide certain data, even if it is a matter of public record, if it reveals confidential information (like trade secrets) about a private corporation or individual. It is important to understand which types of records have restrictions and which do not. Government records can be obtained by almost anyone, but driving reports have some restrictions on who has access to them.
Vital Statistics and Information
Texas marriage and divorce records are available at the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Certified copies of marriage licenses and divorce decrees are available at the office of the county clerk or district clerk where the event took place. The DSHS is also the entity to contact to obtain certified birth and death certificates in the state. Official certificates can be ordered online at the DSHS website. For death indexes, most county offices have records dating as far back as 1910 in the state of Texas. Outside resources are required to obtain records dating further back than that.
There are fees associated with obtaining these records as well. These fees do vary depending on the type of vital record required. If you find yourself in need of special extras like rush service or priority queue jump, your request may be subject to additional charges. Even so, the fees cannot be excessive and must reflect the time and effort required to fulfill the request.
Obtaining Civil and Criminal Court Documents
Texas court records and documents are handled by the Texas Judicial Branch (TJB). The TJB has detailed information on the entire court system in Texas and how it is structured. When you need records revolving around court cases, it is ideal to contact the county or municipal court in which the case was heard. The specific court system that the case was tried in is the best resource as it will have a direct record of the proceedings. The fees vary for this information by county and type of record.
Keep in mind that some court documents are sealed and cannot be included as a matter of public record. This is to protect identities and sometimes the personal safety of those involved in the case.
When applying to receive this type of record, you must state the reason for your request. Be honest, as being found guilty of misusing public information is a crime that is punishable in a Texas court of law.
Property Records
Property records are available at city records offices. Copies are also kept on file at county recorder's offices and city halls. You must fill out a document stating who you are, what property you are inquiring about, the information you require, and the reasoning behind it. In some cases, homeowners simply want a history of occupants for their own records. The stated reason behind your request is purely for record keeping purposes, as requests are filed by everyone from professional realtors to superstitious homeowners researching all registered occupants to find out if anything tragic happened on the property or not. These types of records are available to nearly anyone.
You can obtain records stating who the owner or group owners are of commercial properties as well. This information helps builders and investors to know who to contact for proprietary purposes. This can also be for zoning and property line determination. There are times when the actual square footage of a commercial building is not what it is documented to be, or may be under dispute. Zoning and building records help to determine where the additional square footage has gone.
As businesses sell out to others and buildings are transformed for different operations, the blueprints of a building may be required. This is where property records also come in. Contractors that are no longer in business or no longer alive may have built older or vintage buildings; this means that contacting the builder directly for these blueprints is not possible.
Vehicle Records and Driver reports
Texas driving history reports and vehicle records are available through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you are requiring a vehicle identification number history of registry, you will need a notarized letter by the entity requesting the information in order for it to be supplied to you. If you are obtaining this information for your own vehicle, a photo ID and proper vehicle title are needed.
When it comes to driver history reports, those have to be requested from a local government body or a business. Civilians may not, under normal circumstances, obtain these records unless it is for work purposes, with a form from the potential employer.
County Specific Records
With the number of counties in the state of Texas, tracking down a record of a specific event can prove to be a challenge. The first step to take here is to contact the clerk of courts for that specific county if you are unable to find the records in a simple online search. The clerk of courts, or a representative at the county recorder's office, can direct you with the information to obtain the records. The office itself may have access to the records.
When you are requesting county records, such as zoning information, property records and business records, an exact reason must be stated. You must also pay the fees for these records to be released to you. The records cannot be used for legal matters unless stated in the request. General information is made available to the public and is not for use in the facilitation of any unlawful transactions.
Summary
Locating public records in the state of Texas is easier than in some other states, even with its size. Texas makes it very clear as to which records the public can access and which are not available. Records involving personal information such as a driving history, must be requested by a government entity or an employer. Civilians cannot obtain these records for their own curiosity. Most court documents are available to everyone however some have been sealed and are not available to anyone, even lawyers and appointed officials. Anyone can obtain records of civil court proceedings and most misdemeanor criminal court proceedings. Felony and federal court case documents are quite difficult to obtain copies of, regardless of who you are or why you need them. For these records, allow for extra time and even the possibility of time petitioning in court just to obtain them.
