Somervell County Birth Records Lookup

Somervell County birth records are maintained by the County Clerk in Glen Rose, Texas, the county seat. The Clerk handles birth certificates for all births that occurred in the county from 1903 and serves as the local registrar under Texas law. Certified copies of birth certificates are available to qualified applicants for $23.00 each. You can request records in person or by mail.

Somervell County Clerk

The Somervell County Clerk in Glen Rose is responsible for all vital records in the county. This includes birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses. The Clerk receives birth filings from hospitals, midwives, and doctors in the area and stores them. When you need a certified copy of a birth certificate for someone born in Somervell County, this office is the right place to start.

Birth records start in 1903. Certified copies cost $23.00 each. The office is in Glen Rose at the Somervell County Courthouse. Staff can search records by name and date of birth during regular business hours. Mail requests are also processed when all required documents are included.

Requesting a Somervell County Birth Certificate

In-person requests at the Somervell County Courthouse in Glen Rose are the fastest way to get a birth certificate. Bring valid photo ID and the $23.00 fee. The Clerk searches records by name and date of birth. In most cases, your request is completed the same day.

Mail requests are also an option. Send a written request that includes the full name on the birth record, the date of birth, the names of both parents as listed on the certificate, your name and address, and your relationship to the person on the record. Have your signature notarized. Include a copy of your valid ID and a check or money order for $23.00 payable to the Somervell County Clerk.

You can also order Texas birth certificates at the state level through Texas.gov or the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin. State copies cost $22.00. Online orders take 20-25 business days to deliver. Walk-in service is available in Austin for same-day processing.

Access Rules for Somervell County Birth Records

Texas birth records are restricted for 75 years under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. Records less than 75 years old can only go to qualified applicants. After 75 years, the record becomes public and anyone can request a copy.

Qualified applicants include the registrant, their parents, siblings, spouse, children, grandparents, legal guardians, and legal representatives. Governmental agencies with a direct need may also request records. Valid photo ID is required for all requests. For mail requests, the signature on the application must be notarized. If you are not sure you qualify, contact the clerk at (254) 897-4427 or check with the Texas DSHS at 888-963-7111.

Birth registration law is in Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. This law requires birth certificates to be filed within five days of the birth. The Somervell County Clerk receives and stores these filings for the county.

Texas Vital Records System

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section is the state-level agency that maintains all Texas birth records. Records go back to 1903. The state remote access system, used by county clerks across Texas, covers births from 1926 forward. For births before 1926, you must contact the Somervell County Clerk directly.

The application form for a state-issued birth certificate is Form VS-140. Fill it out fully, sign before a notary if mailing, include your ID copy, and send with the $22.00 fee. The state offers long form and short form certificates. For most everyday purposes, the short form is sufficient. The long form is needed when the full record history is required, such as for pre-1964 passport applications.

For genealogical research into older Somervell County births, the Texas State Library provides a research guide at guides.loc.gov. Historical records going back to the 1870s may be available for some Texas counties.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section is the state agency that maintains birth records for all 254 Texas counties, including Somervell County.

Both the county clerk in Glen Rose and the state office in Austin can provide certified copies of Somervell County birth certificates to qualified applicants.

Nearby Counties

These counties are adjacent to Somervell County in North-Central Texas. Each maintains its own County Clerk for local birth records.