Lipscomb County Birth Records

Lipscomb County birth records are filed with the County Clerk in Lipscomb, Texas. The office keeps birth and death records starting from 1903 and serves as the local registrar for vital statistics in this small Panhandle county. Certified copies are available to qualified applicants by visiting in person or through the state.

Lipscomb County Clerk

The Lipscomb County Clerk handles vital records for this small Panhandle county. The county seat is the town of Lipscomb. It is a rural county with a small population. The Clerk's office is the main local source for certified copies of birth certificates for anyone born in the county.

Lipscomb County was created from Bexar County in 1876 and named for Abner Smith Lipscomb, a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas. The county was formally organized in 1887, and records begin from that year. Marriage records date to 1887, land records to 1887, and probate records to 1887. Birth and death records in the statewide system start from 1903.

Birth records less than 75 years old are restricted under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. Only qualified applicants can get copies of these records. Qualified applicants include the registrant, their spouse, parents, children, grandparents, siblings, and legal representatives with proper authorization.

Getting a Lipscomb County Birth Certificate

Because Lipscomb County has a small staff, the most reliable way to get a birth certificate for a birth in this county is through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin. The state office holds all Texas birth records and can issue certified copies. You can order online at Texas.gov, by mail, or in person in Austin.

You can also contact the Lipscomb County Clerk directly. For a small county, calling ahead is recommended to confirm hours and availability. Mail requests to the local clerk should include the completed application, a copy of valid photo ID, and payment by check or money order.

For the state DSHS office, use Form VS-140. Complete all required sections and have Section 6 notarized. Mail to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040 for standard service (6 to 8 weeks) or visit in person at 1100 West 49th Street for same-day service. Online orders through Texas.gov take about 20 to 25 business days.

Note: Lipscomb County is a small rural county. If you are visiting in person at the local courthouse, call ahead to make sure the clerk's office is staffed and to confirm what ID and payment they require.

Birth Certificate Fees

A certified copy of a Texas birth certificate is $22.00 through the state DSHS office. Additional copies at the same time are also $22.00 each. The local county clerk may have a different fee schedule. Call the Lipscomb County Clerk directly to confirm.

Texas offers a few types of birth records. The long form is a full copy of the original certificate and is required for passports. The short form is an abstract with current information and works for most general purposes. A verification letter only confirms that a birth is on file in Texas. It is not accepted as proof of identity in most legal contexts.

If you need to correct an error on a birth certificate from Lipscomb County, submit Form VS-170 to the state DSHS office. Most corrections cost $15. Corrections requiring a new certificate cost $25.

Birth Records and History

Lipscomb County has maintained records since the county was organized in 1887. Prior to that, the area was part of Bexar County. County-level vital records such as marriage and land documents date from 1887. Birth records in the state system go back to 1903.

For genealogical research, the FamilySearch Lipscomb County page provides details on what historical records exist and where they are held. Records more than 75 years old are public under Texas law and can be accessed by anyone.

Delayed birth registrations from 1939 to 1975 may also exist for Lipscomb County residents who were born before formal registration began. These can sometimes be found at both the county and state levels. Check with the Clerk or the DSHS Vital Statistics Section if you are looking for someone born before 1903.

State Birth Records Resources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section at dshs.texas.gov is the primary state resource for birth records from all 254 Texas counties, including Lipscomb County. The office processes requests for certified copies, corrections, and verifications. They have held records since 1903.

Texas birth registration law is in the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. Under this statute, physicians and midwives must file a birth certificate within five days of a birth. For home births or cases without medical attendance, the parent or household occupant is responsible.

Texas government vital records resources apply to all counties including Lipscomb, with services managed through the DSHS Vital Statistics Section.

Nearby Counties

Lipscomb County is in the far northeastern Texas Panhandle. These surrounding counties have their own County Clerks for birth records.