Birth Records in Motley County

Motley County birth records are on file with the County Clerk in Matador, Texas. The office has maintained birth and death records since 1903, when Texas began statewide vital records registration. If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate from Motley County, this page explains who can apply, what you need, and what it costs.

Motley County Clerk

The Motley County Clerk's office is the place to go for local birth certificate requests. The office handles vital records for all births that occurred within the county. Motley County was created from Bexar County in 1876. Marriage records go back to 1891, and birth records are available from 1903. The county is small and rural, sitting in the Rolling Plains region of West Texas.

In-person visits are the most direct way to get a certified copy. The clerk can look up records and issue copies on the spot if the record is on file. Mail-in requests are also accepted, but they take longer. You need to send a notarized application with your request when you mail it in.

Requesting a Motley County Birth Certificate

Birth records in Motley County are closed for 75 years from the date of birth. Only qualified applicants can receive certified copies during that period. If the record is more than 75 years old, it is open to anyone who asks.

Qualified applicants are the person named on the certificate, their parents, siblings, grandparents, spouse, legal guardian, or legal representative. Each of these applicants must prove their identity and their relationship to the person on the record. A valid government-issued photo ID is required. If you are applying on behalf of a family member, you need documents that prove the relationship, such as your own birth certificate or a marriage license.

For births that happened outside Motley County, the County Clerk can access abstract records from 1926 through the state remote system. For older out-of-county records, contact the county where the birth occurred. Abstract copies issued through remote access may not be accepted for passports, so if you need a full certified copy, request it from the county of birth.

You can also order directly through the Texas Department of State Health Services at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics. The state office handles both online and mail-in requests and maintains all Texas birth records from 1903 forward.

Motley County Birth Record Fees

A certified copy of a Motley County birth certificate costs $23.00. This is the standard Texas fee. Each extra copy ordered at the same time is $4.00. Death certificates are $21.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy.

For mail-in requests, payment must be by check or money order. Make it out to the Motley County Clerk. Do not send cash by mail. In-person payments are accepted in cash, check, or money order. Card acceptance may vary, so call ahead if you plan to pay with a card.

Note: Fees are set by the state and do not vary much from county to county, but always confirm the current amount with the Clerk before submitting your payment.

Texas Birth Record Laws

Texas birth records are governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. This chapter covers how vital records are created, stored, and accessed in Texas. It sets out who can get copies, how long records stay confidential, and what fees apply.

Under state law, birth records are protected for 75 years. This protects the privacy of living people. After 75 years, records become public and are available to anyone with a valid request. Statewide birth registration became law in 1903, though some counties were slower to comply. By the 1930s, most counties were consistently filing records with the state.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section enforces these rules and handles state-level access. They can be reached at (888) 963-7111 for questions about what records are available and how to order them.

Texas Vital Records Online Portal

The Texas DSHS runs the official statewide site for ordering vital records, including birth certificates from all Texas counties. Visit dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics to order online or download forms.

The portal lets you order online with a credit card or download the VS-140 application form for mail-in requests.

Cities in Motley County

Motley County is sparsely populated. Matador is the county seat and the main community in the county. All birth records for Motley County births are filed with the County Clerk in Matador.

Other communities in Motley County include Roaring Springs and Flomot. None of these places currently have separate city pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Motley County sits in the Texas Panhandle region and shares borders with several neighboring counties. If you need to find a birth record and are not sure which county applies, check the location where the birth occurred.