Erath County Birth Records

Erath County birth records are kept by the County Clerk in Stephenville, Texas. Certified copies of birth certificates are available for individuals born in Texas, and the office can issue both long form and short form birth certificates depending on your needs.

Erath County Clerk - Birth Records

Erath County issues certified copies of birth records for individuals born in the State of Texas, not just for Erath County births. This is an important distinction. If you were born anywhere in Texas, the Erath County Clerk can issue a certified copy of your birth certificate.

The vital records office is at Erath County Annex III at 222 E. College Street in Stephenville, not the main courthouse. Use the Annex III address for all vital records requests. The phone for vital records is (254) 965-1412 and the fax is (254) 965-5732.

The birth and death records page is at co.erath.tx.us.

The Erath County Birth and Death Records page provides detailed information on who qualifies to request records, the difference between long form and short form certificates, and how to submit a request.

The page is a helpful starting point before you contact the vital records office at Annex III in Stephenville.

Long Form vs. Short Form Birth Certificates

Erath County issues birth certificates in two formats. Knowing which one you need before requesting can save time.

The long form is the full birth certificate. It contains all information from the original registration, including the hospital name, the doctor or attending person, and the parents' birthplaces. The long form is accepted for passports, driver's licenses, school enrollment, Social Security cards, and other official uses.

The short form, also called the abstract, contains summary information: the person's name, parents' names, date of birth, and county of birth. It is not always accepted for passports. If you are not sure which form to get, ask for the long form. It covers more situations.

The Erath County Clerk can issue a long form certificate for births that occurred in Erath County. For births in other Texas counties processed through Erath, only the abstract form may be available. Check with the office to confirm what format they can provide for your specific request.

Who Can Get an Erath County Birth Certificate

The county follows Texas state law on who qualifies to request a certified copy. Qualified applicants include the individual named on the record, an adult child, a parent listed on the birth certificate, a spouse, a brother or sister, a grandparent, or a legal guardian or representative with proof of their authority.

After 75 years, a birth certificate becomes a public record under Local Government Code Section 191.004(c). Anyone can obtain a copy of records that old without showing a family relationship. This is important for genealogical research on older Erath County birth records.

All applicants must present a valid government-issued photo ID. For mail requests, a copy of your ID is required along with a completed form.

How to Request an Erath County Birth Record

You can get a birth certificate from the Erath County Vital Records office in person, by mail, or by fax. The vital records office is at Annex III on E. College Street in Stephenville, not the main courthouse.

In-person requests are processed the same day. Bring photo ID and the details of the record. Staff can issue a certified copy while you wait. By mail, send a completed request form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to the Annex III address. By fax, you can send the form and ID copy to (254) 965-5732, but payment must still be mailed separately.

For statewide requests or online orders, use the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office or VitalChek. Both services can fulfill requests for births anywhere in Texas.

Erath County Birth Certificate Fees

A certified birth certificate costs $23. Additional copies at the same time cost $4 each. Cash is accepted in person. For mail requests, use a check or money order payable to the Erath County Clerk. Call (254) 965-1412 to confirm card payment options.

Texas Vital Records and Legal Resources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit at dshs.texas.gov manages statewide birth records. Phone: (512) 776-7111. For legal guidance, visit TexasLawHelp.org. The Texas birth registration statute is Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192.

Cities in Erath County

Erath County's main city is Stephenville, the county seat and home of Tarleton State University. All birth records for events in the county go through the Erath County Clerk's Annex III office in Stephenville.

No cities in Erath County currently have dedicated city pages. Contact the county clerk for all birth record requests.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Erath County in North-Central Texas.