La Salle County Birth Records
La Salle County birth records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Cotulla. Certified birth certificates for births in this South Texas county are available going back to 1903. The County Clerk handles both in-person and mail requests for birth records.
La Salle County Overview
La Salle County Clerk
The La Salle County Clerk maintains all vital records for births in the county. The office is in Cotulla. La Salle County is in South Texas, roughly midway between San Antonio and Laredo on Interstate 35. The county clerk processes certified birth certificate requests for births that occurred anywhere within county limits.
La Salle County birth records go back to 1903. Some early births filed more than a year after they occurred appear as Delayed Birth Certificates in the county files. These are accessible through the same office. Given the county's border region location and bilingual population, names on older records may appear in Spanish-language formats.
| Office | La Salle County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
101 Courthouse Square Cotulla, TX 78014 |
| Phone | (830) 879-4432 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Requesting La Salle County Birth Certificates
To request a birth certificate from La Salle County, visit the County Clerk in Cotulla or submit a written mail request. Your request should include the full name at birth, date and place of birth, both parents' full names (mother's maiden name), your relationship to the person on the record, a copy of your valid ID, and payment.
For mail requests, send to La Salle County Clerk, 101 Courthouse Square, Cotulla, TX 78014. Include a check or money order. Do not send cash. The clerk will process your request and return the certified certificate by mail. Processing times may vary.
You can also request La Salle County birth records for births from 1926 onward through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office. Order online at dshs.texas.gov or through VitalChek. The DSHS Form VS-140 is used for state mail applications. For births before 1926, the county clerk is the only source.
Texas restricts access to certified birth certificates under Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. Only the registrant, parents, siblings, grandparents, spouses, and legal representatives can request certified copies.
La Salle County Birth Record Fees
The fee for a certified birth certificate in La Salle County is $22 for the first copy. Additional copies at the same time cost $3 each. These fees are set by Texas state law. Both the county and state DSHS charge the same base amount.
Mail requests require a check or money order. Online orders through VitalChek or the DSHS portal accept credit and debit cards. Expedited processing at the state level is available for an extra fee. Check the DSHS website for current rates and processing times before you apply.
Note: Contact the La Salle County Clerk at (830) 879-4432 before sending a mail request to confirm current fees and processing procedures.
Texas Vital Records
The Texas DSHS manages the statewide vital records system. The county clerk holds original La Salle County birth records. The state office in Austin holds records from 1926 forward through remote access. For births before 1926, the county is the only source.
Birth registration in Texas is governed by Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. Births must be registered within five days. The county clerk holds the records as the official local custodian for the county.
Genealogy researchers can also check the Texas State Library and Archives Commission at tsl.texas.gov for historical birth records and indexes. Their holdings cover early Texas counties including those in South Texas along the border region.
Texas Birth Records Portals
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics section at dshs.texas.gov is the state gateway for ordering La Salle County birth certificates. The site explains ordering options and lists qualified applicants who can request records.
The Texas.gov vital records portal at texas.gov also provides ordering guidance and links to VitalChek for online birth certificate requests from La Salle County.
Both portals provide access to La Salle County birth records through the state system for births from 1926 onward.
Cities in La Salle County
Cotulla is the county seat and largest city in La Salle County. All birth records for the county are filed at the County Clerk's office in Cotulla.
La Salle County communities include Cotulla and Encinal. None meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
La Salle County is in South Texas along the I-35 corridor. Check the correct county when requesting birth records from nearby areas.