Hays County Birth Records
Hays County birth records are maintained by the County Clerk in San Marcos. Certified birth certificates are available for births that occurred in this fast-growing Central Texas county. You can request a certificate in person at the courthouse or by submitting a notarized mail application. Records go back to 1903.
Hays County Overview
Hays County Clerk
The Hays County Clerk in San Marcos handles vital records for one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. The office issues certified copies of birth certificates for births in the county. San Marcos serves as the county seat, and the clerk's office is at the county courthouse. Hays County includes communities like Kyle, Buda, and Wimberley in addition to San Marcos.
Because Hays County has grown rapidly, demand for birth records services has increased. In-person requests at the courthouse remain the most direct route. Mail-in requests work for those who cannot visit in person. For births in other Texas counties, the Hays County Clerk can access those through the state remote system for births from 1926 onward.
| Office | Hays County Clerk - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address |
712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, TX 78666 |
| Phone | (512) 393-7330 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Requesting Hays County Birth Certificates
To request in person, go to the Hays County Clerk's office in San Marcos with a valid government-issued photo ID and $23.00 per copy. Staff can look up the record and issue the certificate during your visit. All copies ordered together cost $23.00 each.
For mail-in requests, complete the application, have it notarized, and include a copy of your photo ID. Send a check or money order payable to the Hays County Clerk. Do not mail cash. Include your return address and phone number so the clerk's office can contact you if needed.
Access to Hays County birth records under 75 years old is restricted by Texas Government Code Section 552.115. Only qualified applicants can get these records. They include the person on the record, parents, siblings, spouse, children, grandparents, legal guardians, and legal representatives. Records 75 years or older are public.
Note: Hays County has grown significantly in recent years. If visiting in person, consider calling ahead to ask about wait times or whether appointments are recommended for vital records services.
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin holds all Texas birth records from 1903 to the present. You can order through the state if preferred. 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. Phone: 888-963-7111.
Online orders take 20-25 business days. Mail orders take 6-8 weeks. Walk-in service in Austin at 1100 West 49th Street is same-day. Hays County is actually adjacent to Travis County (Austin), so the state office is not far for residents in the San Marcos area if they want to make a walk-in trip.
The Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192 governs all birth registration in Texas, including Hays County. This law establishes who must file a birth certificate, what it must contain, and the timeline for filing. All births in the county go through this same system.
Texas Vital Records Online
The Texas.gov vital records portal provides online ordering and information about Hays County birth certificates and all Texas vital records.
The portal covers online ordering, mail applications, fees, processing times, and the list of who qualifies to request a birth record in Texas.
Nearby Counties
Hays County is in Central Texas between Austin and San Antonio. These bordering counties each handle vital records through their own county clerks.