Collingsworth County Birth Records

Collingsworth County birth records are kept by the County Clerk in Wellington, Texas. The clerk's office is the local source for certified birth certificates covering births in this Panhandle county. Records date back to 1903 and the Texas state DSHS office holds statewide copies as well.

Collingsworth County Clerk Office

The Collingsworth County Clerk in Wellington handles birth certificates and other vital records for the county. Wellington is the county seat for this small rural county in the southeastern Texas Panhandle, near the Oklahoma border.

The clerk follows all Texas vital records requirements and uses Form VS-140 for birth certificate requests. Fees are set at the state level at $22 per certified copy. If you cannot reach the local clerk, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin holds statewide copies and can issue certified birth certificates for Collingsworth County births by mail or online.

Getting a Collingsworth County Birth Certificate

To request a certified birth certificate from Collingsworth County, complete Form VS-140. This form is available from the county clerk or at the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics website. Submit it with your photo ID and the $22 fee per copy.

Texas law under Texas Government Code Section 552.115 keeps birth records confidential for 75 years from the birth date. Qualified applicants include the registrant, their parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, and authorized legal representatives. Proof of relationship may be required.

You can submit requests in person at the Wellington clerk's office, by mail to the county, or through the Texas DSHS in Austin. Online ordering through Texas.gov takes about 15-25 business days. Mail to the state takes 6-8 weeks. In-person county requests are typically processed the 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

Texas Birth Certificate Options

Texas issues three types of birth certificates. The Collingsworth County Clerk and the state DSHS both offer all types. The right choice depends on your intended use.

The long-form birth certificate is a full certified copy of the original document. It shows the complete correction history and includes detailed information about the birth, parents, and attending physician. The registrar's seal and signature are on this document. This form is required for passports, driver's licenses in most states, and citizenship applications. When in doubt, the long form covers the widest range of requirements.

The short-form certificate is a certified abstract. It shows current information only: name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and parents' names. Accepted for school, employment, insurance, and most domestic uses. Not accepted for passport applications.

The heirloom certificate is decorative only. It has no legal value and cannot be used as proof of identity or age.

Texas DSHS Vital Statistics

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section holds all Texas birth records since 1903, including Collingsworth County. Requests can be submitted by mail, online, or in person at the Austin office. 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. Fee is $22 per copy. Call 888-963-7111 for help.

For genealogical research, Collingsworth County birth records older than 75 years are public information under Texas law. FamilySearch has Texas birth certificates from 1903 to 1935 digitized and searchable. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is another resource for historical vital records in the Panhandle region.

Texas Birth Registration Law

Birth registration is required by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. Births 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. These rules apply to Collingsworth County births.

Access is restricted by Texas Government Code Section 552.115 for 75 years. Records become public automatically after the 75-year period. Delayed registrations are allowed under Texas Administrative Code Rule 181.60 with review by the state registrar.

Texas Birth Records Online

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics website is the main state portal for birth certificate requests, including those for Collingsworth County births.

The site provides access to downloadable forms, fee information, current processing times, and the online ordering portal for certified birth certificates across all Texas counties.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Collingsworth County in the Texas Panhandle. Each handles birth records through its own county clerk.