Borden County Birth Records

Borden County birth records are filed at the County Clerk's office in Gail, Texas. The clerk maintains vital statistics records from 1903 and is the local registrar for all births in the county. Certified copies are available to qualified applicants who contact the office directly.

Borden County Clerk Office

Borden County is one of the least populated counties in Texas. The County Clerk in Gail maintains all vital records for the county, including birth certificates. Staff is very limited due to the extremely small population. It is strongly recommended that you call before visiting or consider ordering through the Texas DSHS state office instead. The state office can issue a certified copy of any Texas birth record regardless of county.

The county seat of Gail is located on the South Plains of Texas. The courthouse and clerk's office are in Gail. Birth records from 1903 to present are on file here for births that occurred in Borden County. The clerk follows the same Texas DSHS guidelines as all other county clerks in the state.

The Borden County Clerk's official page has basic contact information and details on the services available from the Gail courthouse.

Check the county website for any updates to hours or procedures before traveling to Gail for a birth records request.

How to Get Borden County Birth Records

Because Borden County is so small, many residents find it easier to order birth records through the Texas DSHS state office rather than visiting Gail in person. The state office can issue a certified copy of any Texas birth, including those from Borden County. Visit dshs.texas.gov/vs for state ordering options.

If you prefer to go through the local office, call ahead to confirm that staff is available. Bring a valid photo ID. Have the full name, date of birth, and parents' names ready. Mail requests are accepted at the courthouse address. Fill out the VS-140 form, attach a copy of your ID, and send a check or money order to the Borden County Clerk. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for mail processing.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191, birth records are restricted for 75 years. Only the person named on the certificate, their parents, a legal guardian, or an authorized attorney can get a certified copy during this period.

For a Borden County birth record, you will need:

• Full name on the birth certificate
• Date and county of birth
• Both parents' names
• Your relationship to the person on the record
• A valid photo ID

Fees for Borden County Birth Certificates

The state fee is $23 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $3. These state-set rates apply at the Borden County Clerk and at the Texas DSHS state office. Online orders through VitalChek add a service fee of around $12 to $15, making the total approximately $35 to $40.

Texas Vital Records Resources

The Texas DSHS vital statistics unit at dshs.texas.gov/vs handles birth records for all Texas counties. For most Borden County residents, this is the most practical way to get a certified copy.

The DSHS website has the VS-140 application form and instructions for mail and online ordering of Texas birth certificates.

The Texas.gov vital records portal provides an overview of all available methods to request a birth certificate in any Texas county.

Online orders are processed in 3 to 5 business days through VitalChek and are mailed to your address.

What Borden County Birth Records Include

Texas long-form birth certificates include the child's full name, the exact date and time of birth, the location of birth, both parents' names and ages, parents' birthplaces, and the doctor's or midwife's signature. This is the version required for passports, government IDs, and Social Security enrollment.

The short form is a brief summary labeled as informational. It is not valid for identity purposes but works for school enrollment and routine administrative uses. For any government identification purpose, order the long form.

Borden County records from the early 1900s may be sparse given the county's small population. The Texas State Library and Archives at tsl.texas.gov may have supplemental historical materials for genealogy research involving this area.

Nearby Counties

Borden County is in the South Plains of West Texas. These counties are nearby.