Newton County Birth Records

Newton County birth records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Newton, Texas. The clerk maintains birth certificates for all births that took place in Newton County going back to 1903. If you need a certified copy of a Newton County birth record, this page covers who can get one, what you need to provide, and how much it costs.

Newton County Clerk

The Newton County Clerk handles vital records, including birth and death certificates, for the county. Newton County was created from Jasper County in 1846 and named for John Newton, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War. Marriage records date back to 1847, and birth records start in 1903 when Texas began requiring statewide registration.

You can request a birth certificate in person at the county courthouse in Newton. Mail requests are also an option. If mailing, include a notarized proof of identification and a completed application form. Send a check or money order payable to the Newton County Clerk. The clerk will process your request and return the certificate by mail.

How to Request a Newton County Birth Certificate

Newton County birth records less than 75 years old are restricted. You need to be a qualified applicant to receive a certified copy. This includes the person named on the certificate, parents, siblings, grandparents, spouse, or a legal guardian or legal representative.

Each applicant must show valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. If you are getting the record for someone else, bring documentation that proves your relationship to them. For example, if you are requesting your parent's birth certificate, bring your own birth certificate that lists them as your parent. A sibling must show they share a parent with the person on the record.

Have the following ready when you request a Newton County birth certificate:

• Full name as it appears on the birth certificate
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (city or county)
• Father's full name
• Mother's full maiden name
• Your relationship to the person
• Valid photo ID

For births that occurred in other Texas counties, the county clerk can access abstract records back to 1926. Before 1926, you need to contact the county of birth. The Texas DSHS also offers online ordering at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics for statewide records.

Fees for Birth Records

Certified copies of Newton County birth certificates cost $23.00 each. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $4.00 per copy. Death certificates cost $21.00 for the first and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered together.

Mail requests require payment by check or money order. Make checks out to the Newton County Clerk. In-person payments are typically accepted in cash, check, or money order. Call the office to confirm whether they accept debit or credit cards before your visit.

Access Rules Under Texas Law

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191, birth records are closed for 75 years from the date of birth. This is a statewide rule that applies to all Texas counties. Records older than 75 years become available to the public without any restrictions.

Certified copies are the legally recognized form of a birth record. They carry an official seal from the County Clerk or from the Texas DSHS. These copies are accepted for passports, Social Security applications, school enrollment, and other legal purposes. Abstract copies, which can be issued through the state's remote access system, are shorter and may not satisfy all legal requirements. If you need the record for something official, ask for a full certified copy from the county of birth.

Note: Some delayed birth certificates were filed before standard registration was common. If a person was born before 1903 and later filed a delayed certificate, that record may still be available through the County Clerk's office.

Texas State Vital Records

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains records statewide. Visit dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics for online ordering and forms. The site also has contact information for the state office at (888) 963-7111.

The state portal covers all 254 Texas counties and allows you to order birth certificates online with a credit card or by mail using the VS-140 application form.

Cities in Newton County

Newton County is a rural county in East Texas. The city of Newton serves as the county seat, and birth records for the entire county are filed there.

Other communities in Newton County include Burkeville, Deweyville, and Bon Wier. None of these cities have separate city pages. All birth records go through the Newton County Clerk in Newton.

Nearby Counties

Newton County is in deep East Texas, near the Louisiana border. These neighboring counties each hold their own birth records.