Ochiltree County Birth Records

Ochiltree County birth records are maintained by the County Clerk in Perryton, Texas. The office holds birth certificates for all births in the county starting from 1903. If you need a certified copy of a birth record from Ochiltree County, this page walks you through the process, the requirements, and the fees.

Ochiltree County Clerk

The Ochiltree County Clerk serves as the local registrar and keeps birth and death records for the county. Ochiltree County was created from Bexar County in 1876 and named for William Beck Ochiltree, a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas. Marriage records go back to 1889, and birth records have been on file since 1903.

You can get a birth certificate in person at the Ochiltree County courthouse in Perryton. Mail requests are also processed. For mail, include a notarized proof of identification and your completed application along with payment. The clerk will mail the certified copy to you once the request is processed.

How to Get a Birth Certificate

Texas birth records under 75 years old are restricted. Only qualified applicants can receive certified copies. Qualified applicants are the person named on the certificate, their parents, siblings, grandparents, spouse, legal guardian, or legal representative. You need a valid photo ID in all cases.

For in-person requests, bring your ID and any documents proving your relationship to the person on the record. Have the full legal name on the birth certificate, the date of birth, the place of birth, the father's name, and the mother's maiden name ready. The clerk uses this information to find the record. The more you can provide, the faster the search goes.

Mail requests work similarly but require a notarized application and a copy of your ID. Payment by check or money order must be included. Do not send cash through the mail. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits since they go through the post and require processing time.

You can also use the Texas state system at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics to order birth certificates online. The DSHS serves all 254 Texas counties and can be reached at (888) 963-7111.

Birth Record Fees in Ochiltree County

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

For mail requests, make checks or money orders payable to the Ochiltree County Clerk. In person, cash, check, or money order are accepted. Card payments may or may not be available, so call ahead to confirm.

Texas Birth Record Privacy Rules

Birth records in Texas are protected under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. Records less than 75 years old are confidential and only available to qualified applicants. Records 75 years old or older become open to the public.

Certified copies carry full legal weight. They are used to prove identity, apply for a passport, enroll in school, and handle a range of legal tasks. Abstract copies from the state remote system are a shorter version and may not satisfy all official requirements. When you need the record for passport or legal use, ask specifically for a full certified copy from the county of birth.

Note: Statewide birth registration started in 1903, but not all counties had consistent records until the 1930s. If you cannot locate a record for someone born in Ochiltree County between 1903 and 1920, contact the DSHS state office for guidance on what may be available.

Texas Vital Records Portal

The Texas DSHS runs the statewide vital records portal at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics. You can order birth certificates online or download the VS-140 application form for mail requests.

The portal covers all Texas counties and allows both online and mail requests for certified birth and death certificates.

Cities in Ochiltree County

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

There are no other large communities in Ochiltree County. All birth record requests go through the County Clerk's office in Perryton.

Nearby Counties

Ochiltree County is in the Texas Panhandle. These neighboring counties each manage their own birth records.