Hale County Birth Records

Birth records in Hale County are on file at the County Clerk's office in Plainview. Certified birth certificates are available to qualified applicants through in-person or mail requests. The county has maintained vital records since 1903 when Texas began statewide birth registration.

Hale County Clerk's Office

The Hale County Clerk in Plainview is the local registrar for births that occurred in the county. The office issues certified copies of birth certificates and maintains records dating to 1903. Plainview is the county seat and main population center, making the courthouse the go-to place for birth record requests in Hale County.

Hale County is on the South Plains of the Texas Panhandle. The county clerk can also pull birth records from other Texas counties through the state remote access system, which goes back to 1926. For records from before 1926 from other counties, contact the county of birth or the state office in Austin directly.

Requesting a Birth Certificate in Hale County

You can get a birth certificate from Hale County in person or by mail. In-person requests are usually handled the same day. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and $23.00 per certified copy. Pay by cash, check, or money order made out to the Hale County Clerk.

For mail requests, notarize your application and include a copy of your valid photo ID. Write a check or money order for the fee and mail everything to the county clerk's office. Do not send cash by mail. Include your name, address, and phone number so staff can reach you if there is a problem with your application.

Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, only qualified applicants can request birth records under 75 years old. Qualified applicants are the person on the record, parents, siblings, spouse, children, grandparents, legal guardians, and legal representatives with proper documentation.

Texas State Birth Records Office

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin is the state authority for all Texas birth records. You can order a birth certificate through the state if you prefer. Use the Texas.gov portal for online orders, or mail Form VS-140, the Texas Birth Certificate Application, to DSHS-VSS, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040.

State fees are $22.00 per copy. Online orders take 20-25 business days. Mail orders take 6-8 weeks. Walk-in service in Austin is available Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 1100 West 49th Street. Phone: 888-963-7111.

The legal authority for birth registration comes from Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. This chapter sets out who must file a birth certificate, what information it must contain, and how the state manages the records. It applies equally to Hale County and all other Texas counties.

Birth Certificate Types

Texas offers the long form and the short form birth certificate. The long form is a copy of the original record with a history of any corrections. It is needed for passports and some other legal documents. The short form abstract shows only current information and works for most everyday uses such as school enrollment, employment, and insurance.

Hale County can issue long form certificates for births in the county. For out-of-county Texas births, a short form abstract is issued through the state remote system. A Verification Letter confirms a birth is on file but is not a certified copy and cannot be used as a legal substitute. The Heirloom certificate is decorative and has no legal value.

Texas Vital Statistics Resources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section covers all the details for getting a birth certificate from Hale County or any other Texas county.

The page includes information on processing times, acceptable ID, qualified applicants, and how to download the application form.

Nearby Counties

Hale County is on the South Plains. These bordering counties each have their own county clerk handling local birth records.