McMullen County Birth Records
McMullen County birth records are filed with the County Clerk in Tilden, Texas. This is one of the least populated counties in Texas. The Clerk's office handles vital statistics for the county and can provide certified birth certificates to qualified applicants. Records in the statewide system begin from 1903.
McMullen County Overview
McMullen County Clerk
The McMullen County Clerk handles vital records for this small South Texas county. The county seat is Tilden, a small community in the brush country southwest of San Antonio. The Clerk's office keeps birth and death records, marriage licenses, land filings, and probate documents.
McMullen County was created from Bexar, Atascosa, and Live Oak Counties in 1858 and named for John McMullen, a founder of the Texas colony of San Patricio. The county was organized in 1877. Marriage records date from 1877, land records from 1877, and probate records from 1877 as well. Birth and death records in the statewide system begin in 1903.
Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records less than 75 years old are restricted. Qualified applicants include the registrant, their spouse, parents, children, grandparents, siblings, and legal representatives.
| Office | McMullen County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Tilden, Texas |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call ahead to confirm) |
| Birth Records | From 1903 to present |
| Marriage Records | From 1877 |
Getting a McMullen County Birth Certificate
Because McMullen County is very small with limited staff, the most practical 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 process requests regardless of county. Order online at Texas.gov.
Mail requests go to DSHS-VSS, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040 and take about 6 to 8 weeks. Online orders take about 20 to 25 business days. Walk-in service at the DSHS office at 1100 West 49th Street in Austin is available Monday through Friday with same-day service in most cases.
Use Form VS-140. Complete Sections 1, 2, 5, and 6. Sign Section 6 before a notary. Attach a copy of your valid photo ID. Only originals are accepted.
Note: If contacting the McMullen County Clerk in Tilden directly, call ahead first. Small rural counties may have limited staff hours and should be contacted before making a trip or sending mail.
Birth Certificate Fees
Certified Texas birth certificates cost $22.00 per copy through the state DSHS. Extra copies at the same time are also $22.00 each. Contact the McMullen County Clerk directly to confirm their local rate.
Long form certificates are full copies of the original record including correction history. They are required for passports. Short form certificates are abstracts of current data and work for most everyday purposes. Verification letters confirm only that a birth is on file in Texas and cannot serve as legal identity proof.
Corrections to a McMullen County birth record are handled through Form VS-170. Most corrections cost $15. Corrections requiring a new certificate cost $25.
McMullen County Records
McMullen County was organized in 1877. County records including marriage, land, and probate documents date from that year. Birth and death records in the statewide system start from 1903. Records older than 75 years are public under Texas law.
The FamilySearch McMullen County genealogy page gives details on what records are available and where to find them. Given the very small population of McMullen County, the volume of records is limited.
Texas delayed birth registrations from 1939 to 1975 may include some McMullen County residents born before 1903. These can be found at the state level through the DSHS Vital Statistics Section.
Texas Vital Records for McMullen County
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section at dshs.texas.gov is the main state agency for birth records from all Texas counties including McMullen County. For a small remote county like this one, the state office is often the most reliable source for certified copies.
Texas birth registration rules are in the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. Records privacy is in Texas Government Code Section 552.115.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section processes requests for McMullen County birth certificates along with all other Texas county records from 1903 to the present.
Nearby Counties
McMullen County is in South Texas. These surrounding counties have their own County Clerks for local birth records.