Shackelford County Birth Records

Shackelford County birth records are on file with the County Clerk in Albany, Texas. The Clerk serves as the local registrar and maintains birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for the county. Certified copies of birth certificates are available to qualified applicants by request. Birth records go back to 1903.

Shackelford County Clerk

The Shackelford County Clerk's office in Albany maintains all vital records including birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for the county. As a small rural county, the clerk's office is the single point of contact for vital records requests. Staff can look up records and process requests for qualified applicants. The office handles walk-in visits during business hours.

Birth certificates are $23.00 per certified copy. If you need more than one copy, additional copies ordered at the same time cost less. Call ahead to confirm current fees and hours before making the trip to Albany, as small county offices occasionally adjust their schedules.

How to Request a Shackelford County Birth Certificate

You can request a birth certificate from the Shackelford County Clerk in person or by mail. In person is the easiest option if you can visit Albany. Bring your photo ID, know the name and birth date on the record, and have the $23.00 fee ready. The Clerk will search the records and issue your copy the same day in most cases.

Mail requests take longer but work well for people who live far from Albany. Write a clear request with the following details: the full name on the birth record, the date of birth, the names of the mother and father as listed on the certificate, your full name and mailing address, and your relationship to the person on the record. Have your signature notarized, include a copy of your photo ID, and send a check or money order for $23.00 to the clerk's office at 225 South Main St., Albany, TX 76430.

You can also order any Texas birth certificate through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section. Online ordering is available at Texas.gov for $22.00 per copy. Online orders take about 20-25 business days.

Access Rules for Shackelford County Birth Records

Texas law under Texas Government Code Section 552.115 keeps birth records confidential for 75 years. Only qualified applicants can get copies of records less than 75 years old. Records older than 75 years are public and can be accessed by anyone.

Qualified applicants include the person named on the certificate, their parents, siblings, spouse, children, grandparents, legal guardian, and legal representatives. Government agencies with a direct and tangible need for the record may also qualify. All requesters must provide valid government photo ID. Mail requesters must also have their signature notarized.

Legal requirements for birth registration are in Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. To make corrections to a birth record, use Form VS-170 from the DSHS website.

Texas State Birth Record Options

If you need a birth certificate but cannot visit or mail to Shackelford County, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin is your other option. The state holds copies of all Texas birth records from 1903 onward. The remote access system used by county clerks statewide covers births from 1926 onward across all 254 counties.

To order through the state, use Form VS-140 from the DSHS website. For passport or other legal uses, note that the long form certificate is typically only available from the county of birth. If you were born before 1964 and need a long form for passport purposes, you must contact the Shackelford County Clerk directly. Walk-in service at the state DSHS office is available weekdays in Austin for same-day processing.

The Texas.gov vital records portal offers online ordering of Texas birth certificates for all counties, including Shackelford County births registered since 1903.

State online orders are a convenient option for Shackelford County residents who prefer not to make a trip to the courthouse in Albany.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Shackelford County in West-Central Texas. Each maintains its own birth records through the County Clerk.