Austin County Birth Records

Austin County birth records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Bellville, Texas. The clerk has maintained vital statistics records from 1903 and can issue certified copies to eligible applicants. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through the Texas DSHS state office.

Austin County Clerk

The Austin County Clerk in Bellville records all births in the county and serves as the local registrar for vital statistics. The office maintains birth records from 1903 to present. Certified copies can be obtained by qualified applicants who provide the required identification and documentation.

Austin County is west of Houston and is part of the Greater Houston area. The county seat of Bellville is where the courthouse and clerk's office are located. The office provides birth certificate services for all residents of Austin County, including those in Sealy, Bellville, Wallis, and other communities in the county.

The Austin County Clerk's official website provides information on vital records services, fees, and how to contact the office in Bellville.

Check the county website for current information on office hours, fees, and what documentation you need to bring when requesting a birth certificate.

Getting Birth Certificates in Austin County

Walk-in requests at the Austin County Courthouse in Bellville are usually handled the same day. Bring a government-issued photo ID and know the information about the birth you are searching for. If you are requesting a record for a child or family member, bring proof of your relationship to the person named on the certificate.

Mail requests take longer. Fill out the Texas birth certificate application form VS-140 from dshs.texas.gov. Attach a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order for the fee made out to the Austin County Clerk. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing. Mail the completed packet to the courthouse address in Bellville.

You can also order through the Texas DSHS vital statistics unit at dshs.texas.gov. The state office handles all Texas births. Online ordering is available through VitalChek. Online orders typically take 3 to 5 business days and carry an additional vendor service fee.

Only certain people can legally request a certified birth certificate under Texas law. These include:

• The person named on the certificate (if age 18 or older)
• A parent listed on the birth record
• A legal guardian with court-issued documentation
• An attorney representing any qualified person

Note: Records are restricted for 75 years from the date of birth under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191.

Austin County Birth Certificate Costs

Texas sets the fee for a certified birth certificate at $23 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $3. Austin County uses the state-set rate. No extra county fee is added. The same fees apply at the state DSHS office.

Online orders through VitalChek include a vendor processing fee. Total costs for online orders typically run from $35 to $40. Call the Austin County Clerk to confirm accepted payment methods before you send a check or money order.

What Austin County Birth Records Show

A long-form Texas birth certificate shows the full legal name of the child, the date and time of birth, the hospital or place of birth, both parents' full legal names, the parents' ages and birthplaces, and the signature of the attending physician or midwife. This is the certificate you need for passports, Texas identification, and Social Security enrollment.

The short-form version is a summary. It carries a statement saying it is informational and not valid for identity purposes. It is acceptable for school enrollment, insurance purposes, and many other everyday uses. If you are not sure which form you need, ask the office or organization requesting the document.

Austin County birth records from the early 1900s may not have all the detail found on modern certificates. Pre-1950 records may be handwritten and have limited fields. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission at tsl.texas.gov can help with genealogy research involving older records.

Help with Austin County Birth Records

Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Houston area and many surrounding counties, including Austin County. They offer free legal help to low-income residents on civil matters including vital records issues. Their number is (800) 733-8394 and their website is lonestarlegal.org.

TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has step-by-step guides on getting birth certificates, correcting records, and handling name changes. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral line at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with a local family law attorney if you need legal advice on a birth records issue.

Nearby Counties

Austin County is in Southeast Texas west of Houston. These counties border it.