Kenedy County Birth Records

Kenedy County birth records are held by the County Clerk in Sarita. The clerk maintains certified copies of birth certificates for people born in the county going back to 1903. Requests can be made in person or by mail, and you can also request records through the Texas state system.

Kenedy County Clerk Office

Kenedy County is one of the least populated counties in Texas and in the entire United States. The county seat is Sarita, and the County Clerk there maintains all birth records for the county since 1903. Despite having very few residents, the clerk's office handles requests the same way any other Texas county does.

Because Kenedy County is so remote and thinly populated, many people use the mail or state online system to request birth records rather than visiting Sarita in person. For births in other Texas counties, the clerk can access abstract records through the state remote system starting in 1926.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains birth records for all Texas counties, including Kenedy County, and is often the most practical option for requesting records from this remote South Texas county.

Given Kenedy County's location, ordering through the state at Texas.gov is a convenient alternative to a lengthy drive to Sarita for in-person service.

How to Request Kenedy County Birth Records

In-person requests at the Kenedy County Courthouse in Sarita are possible but may not be practical given the county's remote location. If you can make the trip, bring your ID, fill out the request, and pay. The clerk will issue your certified copy during the visit.

Mail is often the more practical option. Fill out Form VS-140. Have it notarized. Attach a copy of your valid photo ID. Include a money order or check payable to Kenedy County Clerk. Send to the courthouse at the address above.

The state is usually the easiest route. Order online at Texas.gov. Online orders are typically mailed within 15-25 business days. The state office in Austin also accepts mail and walk-in requests at DSHS-VSS, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040 and 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756.

Texas law under Texas Government Code Section 552.115 limits birth records less than 75 years old to qualified applicants: the person named, their parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, or legal representatives. Valid ID is required.

Kenedy County Birth Certificate Fees

Certified copies cost $22.00 each. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is also $22.00. This is the same at the county and state levels. Third-party services add their own charges.

Foster youth, homeless youth, and active military with deployment orders may qualify for fee waivers. Military exemptions fall under Texas Government Code 437.217. Contact the clerk before mailing to ask about current fees and exemptions.

Types of Birth Certificates

Texas offers the Long Form (full certified copy, required for passports), the Short Form (abstract with current information, works for most uses), the Heirloom Certificate (decorative, no legal standing), and the Verification Letter (confirms a record exists, not a certified copy). Choose the right type for your purpose before applying.

Texas Birth Records Legal Framework

Texas requires birth registration within five days under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. The physician or hospital files with the local registrar, who forwards to the county clerk and then to the DSHS. Records have been maintained since 1903.

Delayed birth registration applies to births not registered within the first year. See Texas Administrative Code Rule 181.60. Corrections use Form VS-170, with details at the DSHS amendment page.

The Texas DSHS qualifications page explains who can request birth records. The acceptable ID page lists what identification forms are allowed. Both pages are worth reviewing before you submit any request.

Nearby Counties

Kenedy County is in South Texas along the Gulf Coast. These neighboring counties each have their own County Clerk for birth records.