Andrews County Birth Records

Andrews County birth records are on file at the County Clerk's office in Andrews, Texas. You can request certified copies in person or by mail. The County Clerk serves as the local registrar for vital statistics and maintains birth records dating back to 1903.

Andrews County Clerk Office

The Andrews County Clerk maintains all vital records for the county, including birth certificates. The office is located at the Andrews County Courthouse in Andrews. Births that occurred in Andrews County from 1903 onward are on file here. Qualified applicants can get certified copies by submitting a completed application with proper ID.

The County Clerk acts as the local registrar for vital statistics. This means all births that happen in the county get recorded at this office. The office follows Texas Department of State Health Services guidelines for how birth certificates are issued. If you were born in Andrews County and need a copy of your birth certificate, this is where you start.

How to Get Andrews County Birth Records

There are a few ways to get a birth certificate from Andrews County. You can go in person to the courthouse, mail a written request, or order through an authorized vendor online. Each method has different processing times. In-person requests are usually filled the same day.

To request a birth certificate in Andrews County, you need to be a qualified applicant under Texas law. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191, only certain people can get a certified copy of a birth record. That includes the person named on the certificate, parents listed on the record, a legal guardian, or an attorney acting on behalf of the person. You have to show a valid government-issued photo ID with your request.

Mail requests take longer. Send a completed application, a copy of your ID, and the fee made out to the Andrews County Clerk. The Texas DSHS vital statistics unit also handles birth certificate requests for all Texas counties at dshs.texas.gov.

To get a birth certificate from Andrews County you will need:

• Full name on the birth certificate
• Date of birth
• City or county of birth
• Father's name and mother's maiden name
• Your relationship to the person on the record
• Valid government-issued photo ID

Birth Certificate Fees in Andrews County

Texas sets the fee for certified birth certificates by statute. The base fee is $23 for the first copy. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $3. These fees apply whether you order from the local county clerk or through the Texas DSHS vital statistics unit.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 191.0045, the fee for a certified birth certificate is set statewide. County clerks collect this fee on behalf of the state. The money goes to support vital records administration across Texas.

Fee waivers may be available in some cases. Veterans and their family members can get birth certificates at no cost under certain conditions. Contact the Andrews County Clerk's office for details on waivers and reduced fees.

What Andrews County Birth Records Contain

A Texas birth certificate contains key facts about the birth. The long-form version shows the most detail. It includes the full name given at birth, the date and place of birth, the hospital or facility name, and the names of both parents. It also shows the mother's age, the father's age, and the attending physician or midwife. This is the version required for passports and most official purposes.

The short-form birth certificate is an abstract of the birth record. It shows basic facts but carries the note that it is "informational, not a valid document to establish identity." Most school enrollment and non-official uses accept the short form. For passports, Social Security cards, and driver's licenses, you need the long-form certified copy.

Texas birth records filed before 1950 may look different from modern certificates. The format and detail level changed over the decades. If you need an older record, the Andrews County Clerk can search their files. Very old records may also be available through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission at tsl.texas.gov.

Birth records in Texas are restricted for 75 years. After that period, they become available as public records under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. During the restricted period, only qualified applicants can get certified copies.

Texas Vital Records Resources

The Texas Department of State Health Services handles birth records at the state level. Their vital statistics unit can issue birth certificates for any birth registered in Texas, not just your home county. This is useful if you don't know which county you were born in or if you want to order online. Visit dshs.texas.gov/vs for state-level requests.

The Texas.gov portal at texas.gov/texas-vital-records lists all the ways to get a vital record in Texas. VitalChek is the state's authorized online vendor for Texas birth certificates. You can order through them at any time. Online orders typically process in 3 to 5 business days, though processing times can vary.

Texas State Library and Archives has older vital records and genealogical materials. For records research going back more than 75 years, their collections can be valuable. Their site is at tsl.texas.gov. The Texas DSHS also provides the official birth certificate application form VS-140, which is used by all county clerks statewide.

The Texas.gov vital records page shows all the steps for getting a birth certificate, correcting a record, or adding a father's name. These are handled through the DSHS vital statistics unit. County clerks can help with local records, but the state office handles amendments and corrections to the record itself.

Texas Birth Records Resources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics website is the main state resource for birth records, including those from Andrews County.

The state portal provides access to birth certificate applications, fee schedules, and ordering options for all Texas counties including Andrews.

You can also order Texas birth certificates online through the Texas.gov vital records portal, which covers all counties.

The Texas.gov portal links to VitalChek for online ordering and lists all available methods for getting birth certificates in every Texas county.

Nearby Counties

Andrews County is in far West Texas. These are the surrounding counties. Each has its own County Clerk office for birth records.