Birth Records in Castro County

Castro County birth records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Dimmitt, Texas. The county clerk is the local source for certified birth certificates for births that took place in Castro County. Records go back to 1903 and the state DSHS office in Austin holds copies as well.

Castro County Clerk Office

The Castro County Clerk in Dimmitt handles birth certificates and other vital records for the county. This small office in the Texas Panhandle serves the residents of Castro County and can issue certified copies for births that occurred locally going back to 1903.

Castro County is in the southern part of the Texas Panhandle, about 50 miles south of Plainview. Dimmitt is the county seat and where you will find the county government offices. The clerk's office processes birth certificate requests using the state-mandated Form VS-140 and follows the same procedures and fees as all Texas county clerks.

If you cannot visit in person, you can mail your request to the Castro County Clerk or order directly from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin. The state office holds copies of all Texas birth records and can issue certified copies for Castro County births.

Requesting a Castro County Birth Certificate

To request a certified copy of a birth certificate from Castro County, complete Form VS-140. You can get this form from the county clerk or download it from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics website. Submit the form with a valid photo ID and the $22 fee per copy requested.

Texas law restricts access to birth records under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. Birth certificates are confidential for 75 years after the birth date. Only the registrant, their immediate family members, legal guardians, or authorized representatives can request copies. You may need to show proof of your relationship to the person named on the record.

You can submit a request in person at the county clerk's office in Dimmitt, by mail to the county clerk, or by mail or online to the state office in Austin. Online orders through Texas.gov are typically processed and mailed within 15-25 business days. Mail orders sent directly to the DSHS take 6-8 weeks.

What to include in your request:

• Full name on the birth certificate
• Date of birth
• County or city of birth
• Mother's full maiden name
• Father's full name if on the certificate
• Your valid photo ID
• Proof of relationship if not the registrant

Types of Birth Certificates Available

Texas offers three main types of birth certificates. The one you need depends on how you plan to use it. The Castro County Clerk and the state both issue all types.

The long-form birth certificate is a full certified copy of the original record. It shows the complete history of any corrections made and includes the names of parents, place of birth, attending physician, and the registrar's seal and signature. This version is required to get a U.S. passport, renew a driver's license in most states, or apply for citizenship. If you are not sure which type to request, the long form is the safest choice because it satisfies more requirements.

The short-form certificate is a certified abstract with current information only. It lists the name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and parents' names. It does not include a history of corrections. Short-form certificates are accepted for school enrollment, insurance, employment, and most domestic uses, but not for passports or some international applications.

The heirloom certificate is decorative only. It cannot be used for legal or official purposes of any kind. It serves as a keepsake or display item only.

Texas State Vital Records Office

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin is the statewide custodian of all birth records, including Castro County. You can request records from the state office by mail, in person, or online regardless of which county the birth occurred in.

Walk-in service at the Austin office at 1100 West 49th Street is typically same day, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Mail orders take 6-8 weeks. Online orders through Texas.gov take 15-25 business days. The fee is $22 per certified copy for either route. Call 888-963-7111 to check order status or get help.

For genealogical research on Castro County births, records older than 75 years are open to the public under Texas law. FamilySearch has digitized Texas birth certificates from 1903 to 1935. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission also has guidance on historical vital records for genealogists.

Texas Law and Birth Records

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192, every birth in Texas must be registered. The person at the birth files the certificate with the local registrar within five days. A copy goes to the state. This creates the official birth record for Castro County and all other Texas counties.

Birth records are protected under Texas Government Code Section 552.115 for 75 years from the birth date. After that period, they become public automatically. The protections exist to prevent identity theft and protect the privacy of living individuals.

If a birth in Castro County was never registered, a delayed certificate can be filed later under Texas Administrative Code Rule 181.60. Proper documentation must be submitted to the state registrar, who decides whether to approve the filing. Delayed records are marked as such and include a summary of the evidence used.

Texas Vital Records Portal

The Texas.gov vital records page allows residents of Castro County and across the state to order certified birth certificates online without visiting a government office.

The portal accepts credit and debit cards and provides a confirmation after submission. Birth certificates are mailed to the address provided within approximately 15-25 business days.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Castro County in the Texas Panhandle region. Each has its own county clerk office for birth records.