Foard County Birth Records

Foard County birth records are kept by the County Clerk in Crowell. The clerk holds vital records from 1903 and issues certified copies to qualified applicants. Foard County is one of the smallest Texas counties by population, located in northwest Texas near the Oklahoma border.

Foard County Clerk Office

The County Clerk in Crowell maintains vital records for Foard County. Birth records are on file from 1903. The clerk also holds marriage, land, and probate records. Foard County is a very small rural county, so calling ahead before visiting is strongly recommended. Mail-in requests are often the most practical option for people who do not live near Crowell.

Because of the small staff and limited resources in a county this size, contacting the clerk at the number below before submitting any request is advised. The state DSHS office can often process requests for small county records when local resources are stretched.

Getting a Foard County Birth Certificate

To request a Foard County birth certificate, you can visit the courthouse in Crowell or send a mail-in request. Include a copy of your photo ID, a completed application, and a check or money order made out to the Foard County Clerk. Due to the small county staff, contacting the office first to verify current procedures is a good step.

Texas law limits who may receive a certified copy of a birth record. Under Health and Safety Code Chapter 191, qualified requestors 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 is public.

For statewide records, Texas DSHS Vital Statistics at dshs.texas.gov holds all Texas birth records from 1903. Online orders are available through VitalChek. For a small, remote county like Foard, the state DSHS office may be the most reliable alternative.

Documents needed for a Foard County birth certificate request:

• Full name on the birth record
• Date and county of birth
• Parents' names if requesting the long form
• Copy of a valid photo ID
• Proof of your relationship to the registrant if applicable
• Payment for the fee

Note: For Foard County, using the state DSHS office or VitalChek may be faster and more reliable than direct county requests due to limited local staffing.

Birth Certificate Fees

The standard Texas fee for a certified birth certificate is $23 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy at the same time. Foard County follows this state schedule. The state DSHS charges $22. VitalChek adds a service fee. Always confirm current fees with the county clerk or check the state DSHS website at dshs.texas.gov before submitting a request.

Foard County Birth Record Details

The long-form birth certificate from Foard County shows the registrant's full name, date and location of birth, parents' names and birthplaces, the attending physician or midwife, and the delivery location. It carries the official seal and signature and is valid for passports and other legal uses. The short-form abstract shows only basic facts and is not valid for establishing identity.

Because Foard County is so small and remote, older records may be particularly important for families that have roots there but have since moved away. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission at tsl.texas.gov may have microfilmed records of older Foard County vital statistics. For genealogy research, Texas DSHS and FamilySearch are good starting points for birth records from this area.

Texas Vital Records

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office is the state's central source for all Texas birth records, including those from Foard County.

For small counties like Foard, the state vital statistics office is often the most practical source for birth certificate requests, especially for people who cannot visit the courthouse in Crowell.

Nearby Counties

Foard County borders several northwest Texas counties. Check these if you need records from nearby communities.