Abilene Birth Records
Birth records for Abilene are maintained by the Taylor County Clerk's Office. Abilene is the county seat of Taylor County, so the clerk's office is right in the city. The county has birth records from 1926 to present and uses a remote access system that also allows it to issue any Texas birth certificate, not just local ones. The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section in Austin also holds all Texas birth records from 1903.
Abilene Overview
Where to Get Abilene Birth Records
Abilene is the county seat of Taylor County. The Taylor County Clerk is located at 300 Oak Street in Abilene. The office keeps birth records from 1926 to present for births in Taylor County and the city of Abilene. For births before 1926, contact the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin, which holds statewide records from 1903.
Taylor County uses a remote access system to the state's vital records database. This means the Taylor County Clerk can issue any Texas birth certificate, not just those from Taylor County. If you were born elsewhere in Texas but live in Abilene, you may be able to get your birth certificate locally without traveling back to your home county or mailing to Austin.
| Office | Taylor County Clerk - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Oak Street Abilene, TX 79602 |
| Phone | (325) 674-1202 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Death records from the Taylor County Clerk cover deaths that occurred outside the city limits of Abilene from the early 1900s to present. Deaths within Abilene city limits are recorded by the city. For birth records, the county clerk handles all births in Taylor County regardless of whether they occurred within the city limits.
How to Request an Abilene Birth Certificate
You can get an Abilene birth certificate in person at the Taylor County Clerk's office at 300 Oak Street or by mailing a request. Both methods require a completed application, valid photo ID, and payment. Because the office uses remote access to state records, they can issue birth certificates for births anywhere in Texas.
For an in-person request, bring your valid government-issued photo ID. Fill out the request form at the counter. Pay the fee. Most in-person requests are processed the same day.
For a mail request, include the full name on the record, date of birth, city and county of birth, and both parents' names. Include a photocopy of your valid photo ID and a check or money order payable to the Taylor County Clerk. Mail to: 300 Oak Street, Abilene, TX 79602. Don't mail cash.
You can also go directly to the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section. Their mail address is P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Online ordering through authorized vendors is available at dshs.texas.gov. If you need a birth certificate for passport use and you were born before 1964, request the long-form certificate specifically.
Note: Taylor County uses a remote access system to state records. This means you can get any Texas birth certificate at the Taylor County Clerk's office, not just local births.
Abilene Birth Certificate Fees
Taylor County charges $23.00 for birth certificates. Birth records from 1926 to present are available at this fee. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $4.00. These fees follow Texas state guidelines.
Payment at the Taylor County Clerk's office can be made by cash, check, or money order. Call ahead at (325) 674-1202 to confirm whether credit and debit cards are accepted, as this can vary. For mail requests, use a check or money order.
Through the Texas DSHS, birth certificates are $22.00 per certified copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time are also $22.00 each. Online vendors add a service fee on top. Verify the total before submitting an online order.
Who Can Request Abilene Birth Records
Texas law limits access to birth records less than 75 years old. The rules come from Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. Taylor County follows these state rules for every request.
Qualified applicants include the person named on the record, their parents, grandparents, adult siblings, spouses, and adult children. Legal guardians with court documentation and attorneys for a qualified person also qualify. Government agencies with a direct need can request records as well. Valid photo ID is required from every applicant.
Records that are 75 or more years old are public and open to anyone. No proof of relationship is needed for those older records. For everything more recent, you must show you're a qualified applicant before the clerk can issue the copy.
Texas Vital Records Resources
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin is the statewide office for all Texas birth records from 1903. For Abilene residents, it's a reliable backup if the county office can't process your request quickly.
The DSHS records requirements page explains the difference between long-form, short-form, heirloom, and verification letter certificates. Knowing which type you need before you order can save time.
Texas Birth Records Law
All Texas birth registrations fall under Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. Every birth in Texas must be registered within five days with the local registrar. For Abilene and Taylor County, that is the Taylor County Clerk. The law sets what information goes on the record and how amendments are made.
Access restrictions come from Government Code Section 552.115. Birth records are restricted for 75 years. After that period they become fully public. This is part of the Texas Public Information Act's framework for protecting personal data.
Delayed birth certificates are handled under Texas Administrative Code Section 181.60. If no original record exists, supporting documents can be used to establish a delayed certificate. These might include school enrollment records, church baptismal records, or notarized affidavits. The Taylor County Clerk or DSHS in Austin can guide you through the process.
Taylor County Birth Records
Abilene is the county seat of Taylor County. The Taylor County Clerk handles all local birth record requests. For more details on the county office, visit the Taylor County birth records page.