Presidio County Birth Records

Presidio County birth records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Marfa, Texas. The clerk maintains birth certificates for all births in the county starting from 1903 and handles certified copy requests from qualified applicants. This page explains how to get a Presidio County birth record, the requirements, and the fees involved.

Presidio County Clerk

The Presidio County Clerk holds vital records for the entire county, including birth and death certificates. Presidio County was created from Bexar County in 1850 and named for the military fort (presidio) established in the region. Marriage records go back to 1875, land records from 1859, and birth records from 1903.

Marfa is the county seat. The courthouse there is where all county records are kept. Presidio County is one of the largest and most remote counties in Texas, located in the Big Bend region. You can request birth certificates in person or by mail. In-person visits are more direct. For mail, you need a notarized application and a copy of your ID along with payment.

How to Request a Birth Certificate

Texas birth records under 75 years old are closed to the general public. 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. Records 75 or more years old are open to anyone.

For in-person requests, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are requesting for a family member, bring documentation proving your relationship. For a child requesting a parent's record, bring your birth certificate showing that parent. A spouse needs a marriage license.

When you request a birth certificate, provide the full legal name on the birth record, the date of birth, the place of birth, the father's full name, and the mother's full maiden name. This helps the clerk find the record quickly.

Mail requests need a notarized application, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. The clerk processes the request and mails 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.

Presidio County Birth Certificate Fees

Certified birth certificates in Presidio County cost $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 when ordered together.

Mail payments must be by check or money order payable to the Presidio County Clerk. Do not mail cash. In person, cash, check, or money order are typical. Card payments may or may not be available, so call ahead.

Texas Vital Records Law

Texas birth records are protected under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. This law applies to all Texas counties and sets the 75-year confidentiality window for birth records. After 75 years, birth records become public.

A certified copy from the County Clerk is the official form. It carries a seal and is accepted for passports, legal identity verification, and government applications. Abstract copies from the state remote system may not satisfy all legal uses. For important legal purposes, request the full certified copy from the county of birth.

Note: Presidio County borders Mexico. If a person was born in Mexico and you need that record, contact the Mexican civil registry (Registro Civil) in the municipality where the birth occurred, not the Presidio County Clerk.

Texas DSHS Vital Records

The Texas DSHS operates the statewide vital records portal at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics. The site handles online orders and mail requests for all Texas counties including Presidio.

The DSHS portal provides online ordering through VitalChek and lets you download the VS-140 application for mailing a birth certificate request.

Cities in Presidio County

Presidio County includes Marfa, the county seat, and several other communities. All births in the county are registered with the County Clerk in Marfa.

Other communities in Presidio County include Presidio and Shafter. None of these cities have separate city pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Presidio County is in Far West Texas in the Big Bend region. These neighboring counties each maintain their own birth records.