Find Birth Records in Dallas
Dallas birth records are maintained by the Dallas County Clerk's Office, which issues certified copies for births in Dallas County from 1903 to present. The office has multiple service locations throughout the county and processes requests in person, by mail, and through online vendors.
Dallas Overview
Dallas County Clerk - Birth Records
Dallas is the county seat of Dallas County, and the Dallas County Clerk handles all vital records for the area. This includes birth certificates for births that occurred anywhere in Dallas County, not just the city of Dallas. The office has been recording births since 1903.
The Dallas County Clerk issues both long-form and short-form birth certificates. The long form is a copy of the original record and includes the hospital name, attending physician, full parent information, and any corrections that have been filed. You need the long form for a U.S. passport. The short form shows only the basic details like name, birth date, place, sex, and parent names. Most other purposes accept the short form.
The main office is at the Dallas County Records Building. Multiple locations serve the county so you may not need to go all the way downtown. Call or check the website to find the location nearest to you. The County Clerk's vital records page is at dallascounty.org.
| Office | Dallas County Clerk - Birth and Death Records |
|---|---|
| Website | dallascounty.org/county_clerk/birth_death_records.php |
| Records From | 1903 to present |
| Certificate Types | Long-form and short-form certified copies |
| Request Methods | In person, by mail, or online through authorized vendor |
How to Request a Dallas Birth Certificate
You have three ways to get a birth certificate in Dallas: walk in, mail your request, or order online. Each method has different processing times and requirements.
For in-person requests, go to one of the Dallas County Clerk locations and bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Tell the clerk whether you want a long form or short form. You must be a qualified applicant under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. Qualified applicants include the person on the record, their parents, siblings, spouse, children, grandparents, legal guardian, or legal representative. Records become public after 75 years from the birth date.
For mail requests, complete Texas Form VS-140. The form is available at dshs.texas.gov. You must have the form notarized and include a copy of your valid photo ID. Send your completed application and payment to the Dallas County Clerk. Check the county website for the current mailing address and accepted payment types.
For online requests, you can use the Texas DSHS portal at texas.gov or an authorized third-party vendor. Online orders through the state go directly to the DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin and are mailed 15 to 25 business days after receipt. You still pay the $22 state fee plus a vendor processing fee.
What to include in any request:
- Full name on the birth record
- Date of birth
- City or county of birth
- Full name of the father if listed
- Full maiden name of the mother
- Your relationship to the person named
- Copy of valid photo ID (notarized for mail requests)
- Payment for the $22 fee
Birth Certificate Fees in Dallas
A certified copy of a birth certificate costs $22.00 in Texas. This fee applies whether you request from the Dallas County Clerk or the state DSHS office. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $22.00 each. There is no discount for ordering multiple copies.
If you order online through texas.gov or a third-party vendor, expect an added service charge on top of the $22 state fee. That service fee goes to the vendor and is separate from what the government charges. Ordering in person or by mail directly with the county avoids the extra charge.
Dallas County uses the state remote access system to pull birth records for births anywhere in Texas from 1926 forward. If you need a birth record from before 1926, you must request it from the county where the birth occurred. Most Dallas County births from 1903 to 1925 can be requested at the Dallas County Clerk directly.
Note: Always call ahead or check the county website to confirm the current fee before mailing a check or money order.
Dallas Birth Certificate Types
Long-form Dallas birth certificates carry the registrar's raised seal, the registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed. These are required for obtaining a U.S. passport, a driver's license, and dual citizenship.
Short-form Dallas County birth certificates are abstracts of the birth record. They bear the message "Informational, not a valid document to establish identity" across the face. These show only the individual's name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and name of the parents. Short forms work for school registration, employment checks, and insurance requirements. They are not always accepted for passports or international purposes.
Texas also offers an heirloom birth certificate, which is a decorative document for display purposes only. It has no legal value and cannot be used as identification. If you are unsure which type to order, get the long form. It covers every situation the short form does and many that it doesn't.
Texas Birth Record Laws
Birth registration in Texas is governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. Under Section 192.001, every birth in the state must be registered. The attending physician, midwife, or hospital administrator files the birth certificate with the local registrar within five days of birth.
Access to birth records is restricted under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. Records stay confidential until 75 years after the birth date. Once that period passes, the record becomes public and anyone can request a copy. Before the 75-year mark, only qualified applicants can get certified copies. This rule applies statewide, including in Dallas County.
For corrections to a Dallas birth record, use Form VS-170 from the Texas DSHS at dshs.texas.gov. Most corrections cost $15. A new certificate based on a change in sex or race costs $25. You must submit supporting documents and a notarized signature with the correction form.
Dallas County Birth Records
Dallas is the county seat of Dallas County. All birth certificate requests for Dallas city births go through the Dallas County Clerk. For more details on the county office, locations, and procedures, see the full Dallas County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Dallas include Fort Worth, Irving, Garland, Plano, Frisco, and McKinney. Each page covers local office details and how to get a birth certificate in that city.