Nolan County Birth Records Lookup

Nolan County birth records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Sweetwater, Texas. The clerk serves as the local registrar for births and holds records going back to 1903. This page covers how to get a certified copy of a birth certificate from Nolan County, what you need to qualify, and the fees involved.

Nolan County Clerk Office

The Nolan County Clerk maintains all vital records for the county. Nolan County was formed from Bexar County in 1876 and named for Philip Nolan, a horse trader and mustanger in early Texas. Marriage records go back to 1881, and birth records have been maintained since 1903 when the state mandated registration.

You can request birth certificates in person at the courthouse in Sweetwater or by mail. In-person visits allow you to get the certificate the same day if the record is on file. Mail requests take longer but work well if you are not local. For mail, send a notarized proof of identification along with your completed application and payment.

How to Get a Birth Certificate in Nolan County

Nolan County birth records less than 75 years old are restricted under state law. You need to be a qualified applicant to receive a certified copy. Qualified applicants include the person named on the certificate, their parents, siblings, grandparents, spouse, legal guardian, or legal representative.

You must present a valid government-issued photo ID when you apply. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID. If you are requesting the record for a family member, you need to prove your relationship. Bring supporting documents such as a birth certificate, marriage license, or court order depending on your relationship to the person on the record.

When you apply, have the following information ready: full legal name on the birth certificate, date of birth, county and city of birth, father's full name, and mother's full maiden name. The more complete your information, the faster the clerk can find the record.

For out-of-county Texas births, Nolan County can access abstract records from 1926 forward through the state remote system. For births before 1926 outside Nolan County, contact the county where the birth occurred. The Texas DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics also provides statewide online ordering.

Nolan County Birth Certificate Costs

A certified birth certificate copy in Nolan County costs $23.00. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $4.00 each. Death certificates are $21.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy when ordered together.

For mail requests, pay by check or money order. Make it payable to the Nolan County Clerk. Cash by mail is not accepted. In-person payments are typically cash, check, or money order. Some offices may accept cards, but call ahead to confirm.

Texas Birth Records Law

Texas birth records are confidential under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. Records less than 75 years old can only be released to qualified applicants. Records 75 or more years old become public. This rule applies to every county in Texas, including Nolan County.

Certified copies carry the weight of an original document. They are accepted for passports, driver's licenses, school enrollment, and other legal needs. Abstract copies from the state remote system are a shorter version of the record and may not meet all legal requirements. For purposes like passport applications, always get a full certified copy from the county of birth.

Note: Statewide registration began in 1903, but compliance improved gradually. Some counties were fully compliant by the 1910s while others took until the 1930s. If you cannot find a record for someone born between 1903 and 1920, the record may have been filed late or not at all.

Texas Vital Statistics Resources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section handles statewide birth record access. Visit dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or call (888) 963-7111 for help with online orders or mail requests.

The state portal serves all 254 Texas counties and accepts online credit card orders or mail requests with the VS-140 form.

Cities in Nolan County

Nolan County's main city is Sweetwater, the county seat. All birth records for births in the county are filed with the County Clerk in Sweetwater.

Other communities in Nolan County include Roscoe and Blackwell. Neither of these cities has a separate city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Nolan County is in West Texas near several other counties. Each county manages its own birth records through its County Clerk office.