Potter County Birth Records

Potter County birth records are maintained by the County Clerk in Amarillo, Texas. Amarillo is the county seat and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. The County Clerk holds birth certificates for all births in the county from 1903 onward. This page covers how to get a certified copy of a Potter County birth record, who qualifies, and the fees involved.

Potter County Clerk

The Potter County Clerk maintains vital records for the county and serves as the local registrar. Potter County was created from Bexar County in 1876 and named for Robert Potter, a secretary of the Texas Navy and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Marriage records go back to 1887, and birth records start in 1903.

Births in Amarillo and the rest of Potter County are registered with the Potter County Clerk. The clerk's office is in the county courthouse in downtown Amarillo. In-person visits are the fastest way to get a certified birth certificate. Mail requests are also processed. For mail, send a notarized application, a copy of your ID, and payment by check or money order.

Requesting a Potter County Birth Certificate

Texas birth records less than 75 years old are restricted. You must 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. Records 75 years old or more are public and available to anyone.

To apply in person, bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military card. If you are getting the record for a family member, bring documents that prove your relationship. The clerk needs to verify your connection to the person on the record before issuing a certified copy.

For in-person or mail requests, provide the full legal name on the birth certificate, the date of birth, the county and city of birth, the father's full name, and the mother's full maiden name. These details allow the clerk to locate the record quickly.

For mail requests, include a notarized application, a copy of your photo ID, and payment by check or money order. The clerk will mail the certified copy back to you. You can also order through the Texas DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or call (888) 963-7111 for state-level ordering.

Potter County Birth Certificate Fees

Certified birth certificates in Potter County cost $23.00 per copy. 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.

Mail payments must be by check or money order made out to the Potter County Clerk. Do not send cash. In person, cash, check, or money order are accepted. Call ahead to confirm whether cards are accepted at the office.

Note: There may be a small additional fee for VitalChek or other online ordering platforms used through the state portal. The base certificate fee remains $23.00.

Texas Birth Records Law

Birth records in Texas are governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. This law protects birth records for 75 years, defines qualified applicants, and sets the rules for all county clerks in Texas. After 75 years, birth records become public. The rule applies to Potter County and every other county in the state.

A certified copy from the County Clerk is the legally recognized form of the birth record. It has an official seal and is accepted for passports, driver's licenses, Social Security cards, and other official uses. Abstract copies from the state remote system are shorter and may not meet all legal requirements. For passport use, request a full certified copy from the county of birth.

Potter County's birth record system covers Amarillo births as well as births in other parts of the county. Amarillo is the main city, and most births in the county occur there. If you have trouble locating a record, the DSHS state office can help guide your search.

Texas Vital Statistics Portal

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section operates the official statewide portal for ordering birth and death certificates. Visit dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics for online orders or to download the application form.

The portal covers all 254 Texas counties, including Potter County, and accepts online credit card orders as well as mail requests with the VS-140 application form.

Cities in Potter County

Potter County is home to Amarillo, the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. All births in the county are registered with the Potter County Clerk.

Amarillo actually spans two counties, with parts in both Potter and neighboring Randall County. If you are not sure which county a birth took place in, check the address or contact both County Clerk offices. The Potter County Clerk handles births in the Potter County portion of Amarillo and the rest of the county.

Nearby Counties

Potter County is in the Texas Panhandle. These neighboring counties each maintain their own birth records.