Odessa Birth Records
Odessa birth records are maintained by the Ector County Clerk, the official records office for Ector County in West Texas. If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate for a birth in Odessa, the Ector County Clerk's Office is the local source. You can also request records through the Texas DSHS statewide vital records system. Birth records at both the county and state level date back to 1903.
Odessa Overview
Ector County Clerk Birth and Death Records
The Ector County Clerk handles birth records for Odessa and all of Ector County. The office is in downtown Odessa at 300 N. Grant Street. This is the local place to go for a certified copy of an Odessa birth certificate. Staff handle walk-in requests and can process most records the same day.
Ector County vital records are available from 1903. The office manages birth certificates, death certificates, and other vital records for the county. For records that go back to the early 1900s, the county may need to pull physical files or microfilm copies. More recent records are usually in a digital system that staff can search quickly.
| Office | Ector County Clerk - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 N. Grant Street, Room 111 Odessa, TX 79761 |
| Phone | (432) 498-4130 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.ector.tx.us |
Ector County Birth and Death Records Page
The Ector County Clerk's birth and death records page at co.ector.tx.us provides information on how to request vital records, what you need to bring, and what the fees are for certified copies.
The page is a good starting point before you head to the Odessa courthouse, especially if you want to confirm current hours or find out exactly what documents you need to bring.
How to Request an Odessa Birth Certificate
In person is the most direct way to get an Odessa birth certificate. Go to the Ector County Clerk's Office at 300 N. Grant Street, Room 111, in downtown Odessa. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a request form. The fee is $23.00 per certified copy. Payment options vary, so call ahead to confirm if they take cards or cash only.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Ector County Clerk at the address above. Include the full name on the birth record, date of birth, place of birth, your name and address, your relationship to the subject, and a copy of your ID. Attach a check or money order for $23.00 per certified copy. Mail processing usually takes one to two weeks round trip.
The state option is through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit. Order online via vitalchek.com or submit a mail request to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Forms and instructions are at dshs.texas.gov. The state fee is also $23.00 per certified copy. Standard processing is 10 to 15 business days.
Note: Only eligible requestors can receive certified Texas birth certificates. You must be the person named on the record (if 18 or older), a parent, legal guardian, legal representative, or other qualified party under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191.
Odessa Birth Records: What to Know
Texas birth records from the county and state contain the same core information: full name, date and time of birth, sex, place of birth, names of the parents, and the attending medical provider. The certified copy has an official seal and signature from the county clerk or DSHS registrar.
For births in Odessa before 1903, there are no official registered records. The county began keeping vital records when Texas made registration mandatory in 1903. Older birth events may show up in church records, census data, or family Bibles rather than official government records. The Texas State Archives in Austin and FamilySearch at familysearch.org are good resources for pre-registration research.
If you need to correct an Odessa birth certificate, the process depends on the type of error. Simple corrections can sometimes be made at the county clerk's office. More substantial changes require going through the Texas DSHS, and some may need a court order. The DSHS website explains the amendment process in full detail.
West Texas Birth Record Resources
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit in Austin is the main state office for all Texas birth records, including Odessa. Phone: (888) 963-7111. Their site is dshs.texas.gov. They handle orders, corrections, and questions about the state vital records system.
For genealogy research, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin has older birth indexes and microfilm. FamilySearch has free indexes for many Texas birth years. These tools can help you narrow down whether a record exists and from which year before you pay for a certified copy.
Legal help for Odessa residents who need help with birth records, name changes, or corrections is available through West Texas Legal Services. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org also has self-help guides that walk through the process step by step without requiring an attorney.
Ector County Birth Records
Odessa is in Ector County in West Texas. The Ector County Clerk manages birth records for all of Ector County. For full details on the county's records office, available services, and how to request vital records, visit the Ector County birth records page.