Kerr County Birth Records

Kerr County birth records are on file at the County Clerk's office in Kerrville. The clerk maintains certified copies of birth certificates for people born in the county going back to 1903. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through the Texas state vital records system.

Kerr County Clerk - Vital Records

The Kerr County Clerk in Kerrville handles vital records for this Hill Country county. Kerrville is the county seat and the commercial center of the region. The clerk's office maintains birth certificates for people born in Kerr County since 1903 and processes requests from qualified applicants. The county's clerk has a Kerr County Clerk summary document that outlines procedures and requirements for vital record requests.

Kerr County sits northwest of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country. If you were born in Kerrville or anywhere else in the county and need a certified copy of your birth certificate, the County Clerk is your first stop. The clerk can also pull abstract records for births in other Texas counties through the state remote system, which starts in 1926.

How to Get Kerr County Birth Records

The Kerr County Courthouse in Kerrville is the most direct place to get a certified birth certificate. Walk in, show your ID, request the record, pay the fee, and get your copy the same day. The clerk's staff handles requests at the counter.

Mail requests require completing Form VS-140. The form must be notarized. Include a photocopy of your valid photo ID. Send a money order or check payable to Kerr County Clerk to the courthouse address. Allow several weeks for the process.

Online orders through Texas.gov are available and typically take 15-25 business days. The state office in Austin accepts mail and walk-in requests as well. Walk-in is at 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756.

Texas restricts birth records less than 75 years old under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. Qualified applicants include the person named on the record, their parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, or legal representatives. Valid ID is required for all requests.

Kerr County Birth Record Fees

A certified copy costs $22.00. Each additional copy is $22.00. The fee 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 free copies or reduced fees. Military exemptions fall under Texas Government Code 437.217.

Types of Kerr County Birth Certificates

Texas offers the Long Form (full certified copy of the original, required for passports), the Short Form (abstract with current information, accepted for most everyday uses), the Heirloom Certificate (decorative, no legal standing), and the Verification Letter (confirms a record exists, not a certified copy).

The Long Form is necessary for U.S. passports, dual citizenship applications, and some immigration purposes. The Short Form works for school enrollment, employment, and most state agency requirements. Always ask the requesting organization which type they need before applying.

Texas Birth Records Law

Texas requires birth registration within five days under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. The attending physician, midwife, or hospital files with the local registrar. The record moves from the registrar to the county clerk to the Texas DSHS.

Delayed birth certificates for late registrations are handled under Texas Administrative Code Rule 181.60. Corrections use Form VS-170. Details at the DSHS amendment page. Correction fees range from $15 to $25.

Mail requests to the state go to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Online orders at Texas.gov. The state processes and mails online orders within 15-25 business days of receipt.

Nearby Counties

Kerr County is in the Texas Hill Country. These neighboring counties each maintain local birth records through a County Clerk office.