San Antonio Birth Records

San Antonio birth records are available through two offices depending on when and where the birth occurred. The San Antonio City Clerk handles births within city limits, while the Bexar County Clerk manages records for other births in the county. Both offices issue certified copies to qualified applicants and can help you get the documentation you need.

Where to Get San Antonio Birth Records

San Antonio sits in Bexar County, and birth records here are split between two offices. The City Clerk handles births that happened within San Antonio city limits. For everything else in Bexar County, the County Clerk is the right office. Both offices can issue certified copies of birth certificates going back to 1903.

The San Antonio Office of the City Clerk - Vital Records is your first stop if the birth happened inside the city. They keep records for city births and can issue certified copies in person or by mail. The office is at 719 S. Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX 78204. You can reach them at 210-207-8426. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM. Their website is at sanantonio.gov/Clerk/VitalRecords.

The screenshot below shows the San Antonio City Clerk's vital records page, which is the starting point for in-city birth certificate requests.

The City Clerk page includes information on what documents you need to bring, accepted payment methods, and how to request a birth certificate by mail if you can't come in person.

For births outside city limits but within Bexar County, go to the Bexar County Clerk. The main vital statistics office is at the Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva, Suite B110, San Antonio, TX 78205. Phone is 210-335-2581. You can also contact the main County Clerk office at 100 Dolorosa, Suite 104, San Antonio, TX 78205, by phone at 210-335-2216. The mailing address for vital records requests is Bexar County Clerk, Attn: Vital Statistics Dept., 100 Dolorosa, Suite #104, San Antonio, Texas 78205.

How to Request a San Antonio Birth Certificate

You can request a birth certificate in person, by mail, or online through an authorized vendor. In-person requests are the fastest. Mail requests take longer but work fine if you can't make it to the office.

To request in person at either the City Clerk or County Clerk, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You must be a qualified applicant under Texas law. Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records are restricted until 75 years after the birth date. Qualified applicants include the person named on the record, a parent, sibling, spouse, grandparent, child, legal guardian, or legal representative.

For mail requests to the Bexar County Clerk, complete the application and have it notarized. Mail it with your payment to: Bexar County Clerk, Attn: Vital Statistics Dept., 100 Dolorosa, Suite #104, San Antonio, Texas 78205. Include a copy of your valid photo ID. Notarization is required for all mail-in requests.

The state office is another option. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section at dshs.texas.gov/vs handles statewide birth certificate requests. You can order online through texas.gov, by mail, or in person at 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756. Online orders typically take 15 to 25 business days. Mail orders take 6 to 8 weeks.

What you need to include in your request:

• Full name on the birth record
• Date of birth
• City or county where the birth occurred
• Full name of the father if listed
• Full maiden name of the mother
• Your relationship to the person on the record
• Copy of valid photo ID
• Payment for the fee

Note: Mail requests to the Bexar County Clerk must be notarized. Include a notarized signature with your application or the office will not process it.

San Antonio Birth Record Fees

The standard fee for a certified copy of a birth certificate in Texas is $22.00 per copy. This applies to both city and county offices in San Antonio. Additional copies ordered at the same time are also $22.00 each. The state DSHS office charges the same rate.

Bexar County also offers birth record requests through the Texas DSHS remote access system. This system allows county clerks to pull records for births that occurred anywhere in Texas from 1926 forward. If you need a record from before 1926, you must go directly to the county where the birth took place. For San Antonio births, that means either the City Clerk or Bexar County Clerk depending on the address.

Online orders placed through VitalChek or texas.gov may carry an additional service fee on top of the $22 state charge. This service fee goes to the third-party vendor, not the state. If cost is a concern, going in person or mailing directly to the office avoids the extra fee.

Note: Fees can change. Call ahead or check the office website to confirm the current fee before sending payment.

Types of Birth Certificates in Texas

Texas issues several types of birth certificates, and not all of them work for every purpose. Knowing which one you need before you request it can save time.

The long-form birth certificate is the most complete version. It is a copy of the original record and includes the hospital name, attending physician, parents' information, and any corrections that have been made. You need the long form for a U.S. passport, most driver's license applications, and dual citizenship. The short-form certificate shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and parent names. It works for school enrollment, most employment requirements, and most insurance forms. However, the short form is not always accepted for passport applications. The heirloom certificate is a decorative version with no legal value.

Texas also offers a verification letter, which confirms that a birth is on file and shows the name, date of birth, and county. It is not a legal substitute for a certified copy and cannot be used as an identity document. Use a certified copy for anything that requires legal proof of birth.

For corrections to a birth record, use Form VS-170 from the Texas DSHS. The form is available at dshs.texas.gov. Correction fees are $15 for most changes and $25 for a new certificate based on a change in sex or race. You must submit supporting documents and a notarized signature.

State Resources for San Antonio Residents

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section is the state-level office for birth records. They maintain records for all Texas births from 1903 to the present. If the county or city office can't help, or if you want to order online, start here. The official application is Form VS-140, available at dshs.texas.gov.

Walk-in service is available at the Austin state office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756. If you need a record quickly and can't go in person, expedited mail orders are available. Send them via overnight courier (FedEx, UPS, or LoneStar) to DSHS-VSS MC 2096, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756. Expedited orders still take 20 to 25 business days to process.

You can check your order status online at dshs.texas.gov/orderstatus or call 888-963-7111. That number also handles general questions about birth records, corrections, and delayed registrations.

Delayed birth certificates are available for births that were not registered within the first year. The process involves submitting documentation to the State Registrar. Rules for delayed registration are in the Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Rule 181.60. Historical birth records from 1903 to 1935 are also available through FamilySearch for genealogical research.

Bexar County Birth Records

San Antonio is located in Bexar County. The Bexar County Clerk handles birth certificates for births throughout the county, including areas outside city limits. For full county-level details including office locations, request procedures, and fee schedules, see the Bexar County birth records page.

View Bexar County Birth Records

Nearby Cities

Other major Texas cities with birth record pages include Austin and Laredo. Each city page has office details, fees, and request instructions for that location.