Palo Pinto County Birth Records

Palo Pinto County birth records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Palo Pinto, Texas. The clerk serves as the local registrar and has maintained birth certificates since 1903. If you need a certified copy of a birth record from Palo Pinto County, this page covers who can apply, what to provide, and how much you will pay.

Palo Pinto County Clerk

The Palo Pinto County Clerk holds all vital records for the county. Palo Pinto County was created from Bosque and Navarro Counties in 1856. The name comes from a creek of the same name, meaning "painted stick" in Spanish. Marriage records go back to 1857, land records from 1857, and birth and death records from 1903.

The county seat is the small town of Palo Pinto, but many residents live in Mineral Wells, which is the largest city in the county. All births in the county are registered with the County Clerk. You can get a birth certificate in person at the Palo Pinto courthouse or send a mail request. In-person requests can often be completed the same day.

How to Request a Palo Pinto County Birth Certificate

Texas birth records under 75 years old are restricted to qualified applicants. Qualified applicants include the person named on the record, parents, siblings, grandparents, spouse, legal guardian, or legal representative. You need to show a valid government-issued photo ID and proof of relationship when getting someone else's record.

When you visit in person, bring your ID, any relationship documents, and the following information: full legal name on the birth certificate, date of birth, place of birth, father's full name, and mother's full maiden name. The clerk uses these details to locate the record. If you have any reference numbers from a previous request, those help too.

Mail requests require a notarized application with a copy of your photo ID. Send a check or money order for the fee payable to the Palo Pinto County Clerk. The clerk processes the request and mails the certified copy back to you. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits.

For out-of-county Texas births, abstract copies can be obtained back to 1926 through the state remote system. For older records from other counties, contact that county. You can also order through the Texas DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics.

Birth Certificate Fees

Certified birth certificates in Palo Pinto County cost $23.00 each. If you order more than one copy at the same visit, each additional copy is $4.00. Death certificates are $21.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Mail payments must be by check or money order. Payable to Palo Pinto County Clerk. Do not mail cash. In person, cash, check, and money order are typically accepted.

Texas Birth Records and the Law

Birth records in Texas are protected for 75 years under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. This applies to every Texas county. Records older than 75 years become public and are available to anyone.

Certified copies are used for legal identity purposes, including passports, Social Security applications, and school enrollment. Abstract copies from the state remote access system are shorter and may not satisfy all legal requirements. If you need the record for passport purposes, request the full certified copy from the county of birth.

Note: Some births registered as delayed certificates may predate 1903. If you are looking for a birth that occurred before 1903 and the person later filed a delayed certificate, that record may still be on file at the County Clerk's office.

Texas Vital Statistics Resources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section provides statewide access to birth records. Visit dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or call (888) 963-7111 for online orders and general questions.

The Texas DSHS portal allows you to order certified birth certificates online for any Texas county, including Palo Pinto, using a credit card or by mailing the VS-140 form.

Cities in Palo Pinto County

Palo Pinto County includes Mineral Wells and several smaller communities. All births in the county are registered with the County Clerk in Palo Pinto.

Communities in Palo Pinto County include Mineral Wells, Strawn, Gordon, Graford, and others. These cities do not have separate city pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Palo Pinto County is in North Central Texas. These neighboring counties each hold their own birth records.