Coke County Birth Records

Coke County birth records are kept by the County Clerk in Robert Lee, Texas. The clerk's office issues certified birth certificates for births that took place in Coke County. Records date back to 1903 and the Texas DSHS in Austin holds statewide copies as well.

Coke County Clerk Office

The Coke County Clerk in Robert Lee handles birth certificates and vital records for the county. The clerk's office issues certified copies for births registered in the county going back to 1903. Robert Lee is the county seat for this small West Texas county.

Coke County is in West Texas, west of Abilene and south of Sweetwater. It is a rural county with a small population. The clerk's office uses Form VS-140 and follows all Texas vital records procedures. For those who cannot travel to Robert Lee, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin maintains copies of all Coke County birth records and can issue certified copies by mail or online.

Requesting Coke County Birth Records

To get a certified birth certificate from Coke County, fill out Form VS-140. This is the Texas Birth Certificate Application. It is available at the county clerk or from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics website. Submit it with your valid photo ID and the $22 fee per copy.

Texas law limits who can request birth records. Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth certificates are confidential for 75 years. Qualified applicants include the registrant, their parents, spouse, children, siblings, and grandparents. A legal guardian or authorized representative can also request records with proper documentation.

Submit requests in person in Robert Lee, by mail to the county, or through the Texas DSHS in Austin. Online ordering is available through Texas.gov with 15-25 business day delivery. Mail to the DSHS takes 6-8 weeks. In-person requests at the county are typically same day.

What to include with 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 Texas Birth Certificates

Texas issues several types of birth certificates. The Coke County Clerk and the DSHS both offer all types. Pick the one that fits your need.

The long-form birth certificate is a full copy of the original document. It shows the complete correction history and includes detailed birth information, parent names, and the registrar's seal. This form is required for passports, driver's licenses in most states, and citizenship documentation. When in doubt, get the long form as it works for the widest range of uses.

The short-form certificate is a certified abstract. It shows current information only: name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and parent names. No correction history appears. This is valid for school, employment, insurance, and most domestic purposes but not for passport applications.

The heirloom certificate is decorative only with no legal value. It cannot prove identity or eligibility for any official purpose.

Texas State Vital Records Office

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section holds copies of all Texas birth records since 1903, including Coke County. If the local clerk's office is not accessible, you can request directly from the state. The Austin walk-in office provides same-day service on weekdays. Mail orders take 6-8 weeks. Online orders through Texas.gov take 15-25 business days.

The fee is $22 per certified copy whether you order from the county or the state. Call 888-963-7111 for help with your request or to check on an existing order. For current processing times, check the DSHS website directly as times vary by request volume.

Historical Coke County birth records older than 75 years are public information under Texas law. FamilySearch has digitized records from 1903 to 1935. The Texas State Library and Archives provides resources for genealogical research on West Texas vital records.

Texas Birth Registration Law

Every birth in Texas must be registered under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. The physician, midwife, or hospital files the certificate with the local registrar within five days. A copy goes to the state. These rules apply to Coke County births just as they do statewide.

Birth records stay restricted for 75 years under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. After that, they become public. No action is needed to open a record once the 75-year period has passed.

Delayed birth registrations are governed by Texas Administrative Code Rule 181.60. If a Coke County birth was never registered within one year, a delayed certificate may still be filed with sufficient documentation. The state registrar reviews and approves these filings. Delayed records are marked and include a summary of supporting evidence.

Texas Birth Records Resources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section website is the primary state resource for ordering birth certificates including those for Coke County births.

From this page you can download the required Form VS-140, review ID requirements, check current processing times, and access the online ordering portal for Texas birth certificates.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Coke County in West Texas. Each has its own county clerk office for birth records.