Dawson County Birth Records

Dawson County birth records are held by the County Clerk in Lamesa. The clerk maintains vital records from 1903 and issues certified copies to eligible applicants. Dawson County is in the South Plains region of west Texas, south of Lubbock.

Dawson County Clerk

The Dawson County Clerk in Lamesa holds all vital records for the county. Birth records date from 1903. Marriage records, probate records, and land records go back to 1905, reflecting when the county was formally organized. The courthouse is at 400 S 1st Street in Lamesa. Both in-person and mail-in requests are handled by the clerk's office.

Dawson County was named for Nicholas Mosby Dawson, a soldier in the Texas Revolution. Lamesa is the county seat and the main community in the county. The clerk is the official keeper of all birth records for anyone born within Dawson County's boundaries.

How to Get a Dawson County Birth Certificate

You can get a birth certificate from Dawson County by visiting the courthouse in Lamesa or sending a mail-in request. For mail requests, include a copy of your photo ID, a completed application, and payment by check or money order made out to the Dawson County Clerk. Call (806) 872-3778 to confirm current requirements before sending your request.

Texas law sets eligibility rules for who can get a certified birth certificate. Under Health and Safety Code Chapter 191, eligible people include the person on the record, listed parents, a spouse, adult children, adult siblings, grandparents, and legal guardians. After 75 years from the birth date, the record becomes public.

For statewide access, Texas DSHS Vital Statistics at dshs.texas.gov holds records from 1903 for all Texas counties. Online orders go through VitalChek.

For a Dawson County birth certificate, have ready:

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

Dawson County Birth Certificate Fees

The fee for a certified birth certificate in Dawson County is $23 for the first copy, with $4 for each additional copy at the same time. Payment by check or money order is standard for mail requests. The state DSHS charges $22. VitalChek adds a service fee. Call (806) 872-3778 for the most current fee information.

Dawson County Birth Certificate Contents

The long-form birth certificate from Dawson County shows the registrant's full name, exact date and location of birth, parents' names and birthplaces, the attending physician or midwife, and the delivery location. The document carries the official seal and signature and is valid for passports, driver's licenses, school enrollment, and other legal uses.

The short-form abstract shows only the basic facts and is not valid for establishing identity. Request the long form for any official purpose.

Dawson County records generally go back to 1905. For genealogy research, FamilySearch - Dawson County Genealogy has resources for the South Plains area. The Texas State Library at tsl.texas.gov also has archived records useful for researchers.

Texas Birth Records

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office holds birth records for all Texas counties, including Dawson County, and can process requests from any location.

The state vital statistics unit provides mail and online ordering options and issues both long-form and short-form certificates depending on whether the request is for an in-county or out-of-county birth.

Nearby Counties

Dawson County is in the South Plains near Lubbock. Check these neighboring counties if you need records from nearby areas.