Birth Records in Coleman County

Coleman County birth records are maintained by the County Clerk in Coleman, Texas. If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate for a birth that occurred in Coleman County, the clerk's office is where to start. Records go back to 1903 and the Texas state office in Austin holds statewide copies.

Coleman County Clerk - Vital Records

The Coleman County Clerk in Coleman handles birth certificates and other vital records for the county. For any birth registered in Coleman County, the clerk's office can issue a certified copy. The clerk's office follows state law and uses the standard Texas application form and fee schedule.

Coleman County is in central West Texas, west of Abilene. The city of Coleman serves as both the county seat and the largest community in the county. The clerk's office can issue certified birth certificates for births going back to 1903. If you cannot visit in person, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin holds statewide copies and can process requests by mail or online.

How to Get a Coleman County Birth Certificate

Fill out Form VS-140 to request a certified birth certificate from Coleman County. The form is available at the county clerk's office or from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics website. Submit it with your photo ID and the $22 fee per copy requested.

Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records are confidential for 75 years from the birth date. Qualified applicants include the registrant, parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, and authorized legal representatives. You may need to show proof of your relationship to the person on the record.

Submit in person in Coleman, by mail to the county, or by mail or online to the state DSHS. Online orders through Texas.gov take about 15-25 business days. Mail orders to the state take 6-8 weeks. In-person visits to the county are generally same day.

What to include:

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

Birth Certificate Types in Texas

Texas offers three main birth certificate types. The Coleman County Clerk and the state DSHS both issue all types. The right one depends on how you plan to use it.

The long-form birth certificate is a full certified copy of the original record. It includes all correction history, parent names, place of birth, attending physician or midwife, and the registrar's seal and signature. Required for passports, driver's licenses in most states, and citizenship applications. This is the most complete and widely accepted version.

The short-form certificate is a certified abstract with current information only. It shows the name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and parent names. Accepted for school, insurance, employment, and most domestic uses but not for passport applications.

The heirloom birth certificate is decorative only and has no legal validity. It cannot be used for any official purpose.

Texas DSHS Birth Records

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section holds all Texas birth records since 1903, including Coleman County. The Austin office is at 1100 West 49th Street. Walk-in service is same day on weekdays. Mail orders take 6-8 weeks. Online orders through Texas.gov take about 15-25 business days. The fee is $22 per copy. Call 888-963-7111 for help.

For historical research, Coleman County birth records older than 75 years are public information. FamilySearch has digitized Texas birth records from 1903 to 1935. The Texas State Library and Archives has further resources for genealogists researching Central Texas birth records.

Texas Birth Record Laws

Birth registration is required by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. Every birth in Texas must be registered within five days. The attending physician, midwife, or hospital files the certificate with the local registrar. A copy goes to the state. This applies to Coleman County births.

Access is restricted by Texas Government Code Section 552.115 for 75 years. After that, records become public automatically. Delayed birth registrations may be filed under Texas Administrative Code Rule 181.60 with supporting documentation reviewed by the state registrar.

Texas Vital Records

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics homepage is the main online resource for ordering Coleman County birth certificates and all Texas birth records.

From this page you can access the online order system, download forms, review ID requirements, and check current processing times for certified birth certificates.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Coleman County in central West Texas.