Coryell County Birth Records

Birth records for Coryell County are on file at the County Clerk's office in Gatesville. The clerk maintains vital records going back to 1903 and issues certified copies to qualified applicants. Coryell County is in central Texas, home to Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), one of the largest military installations in the country.

Coryell County Clerk

The Coryell County Clerk in Gatesville maintains vital records for the county. Birth and death records date from 1903. Marriage records, probate records, and land records go back to 1854. The courthouse is at 620 E Main Street in Gatesville. Both in-person and mail-in requests are handled by the clerk's office.

Coryell County has a large military-connected population due to Fort Cavazos. Many families move through the area, so birth records for former residents may be important for identity documentation years after the fact. The county clerk's office processes all vital records requests for the county, regardless of whether the requester currently lives in Coryell County.

Requesting a Coryell County Birth Certificate

You can get a birth certificate from Coryell County by visiting the courthouse in Gatesville or mailing a request. In-person visits during office hours allow same-day processing when records are available. Mail requests take longer. Either way, you must meet the eligibility rules and provide identification.

Texas law controls who may receive a certified copy of a birth record. Under Health and Safety Code Chapter 191, eligible people include the person on the record, parents listed on the certificate, a spouse, adult children, adult siblings, grandparents, and legal guardians. After 75 years from the birth date, records are public. Military personnel and veterans sometimes need birth certificates for benefits and service records, and those requests are handled the same way as any other request.

For statewide records, use Texas DSHS Vital Statistics at dshs.texas.gov. Online ordering is available through VitalChek.

When submitting a Coryell County birth certificate request, provide:

• Full name on the birth record
• Date and place of birth
• Parents' names if requesting the long-form certificate
• Copy of your valid photo ID
• Proof of relationship if not the registrant
• Correct fee payment

Birth Certificate Fees in Coryell County

A certified birth certificate costs $23 for the first copy in Coryell County, with $4 for each additional copy at the same time. This follows the Texas state fee schedule. Mail payments should be by check or money order made out to the Coryell County Clerk. Call (254) 865-5911 or check coryellcounty.org for current payment options.

The state DSHS office charges $22 for the first copy. VitalChek adds a service fee. Ordering directly from the county is typically the most cost-effective approach.

What Coryell County Birth Records Show

The long-form birth certificate from Coryell County contains the registrant's full legal name, exact date and location of birth, names and birthplaces of both parents, the attending physician or midwife, and the hospital or delivery location. The document has the official seal and signature of the county registrar. It is accepted for passports, driver's licenses, military service documents, and school enrollment.

The short-form abstract shows only the core facts and is not valid for establishing identity. Most government agencies require the long form. For military-related identity documents, the long-form certificate is always the right choice.

Coryell County has records dating back to 1854 for many record types. Genealogy resources are available at FamilySearch - Coryell County Genealogy. The county was named for James Coryell, a Texas Ranger and frontiersman.

Texas Birth Certificate Resources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics page provides ordering information for birth certificates from Coryell County and all other Texas counties.

The state vital statistics unit holds records for all Texas births from 1903 and provides an online ordering option through VitalChek for people who cannot visit a county clerk in person.

Nearby Counties

Coryell County is in central Texas near Fort Cavazos. These bordering counties also maintain vital records.