Tarrant County Birth Records
Tarrant County birth records are handled by the County Clerk's Vital Records Division in Fort Worth. The office has eight locations across the county to make access easier for residents of Fort Worth, Arlington, and surrounding cities.
Tarrant County Overview
Tarrant County Clerk - Vital Records Division
Tarrant County is one of the most populous counties in Texas. The Clerk's Office has eight Vital Records locations spread throughout the county so residents don't have to travel far. The main Vital Records Division is at 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301, in Fort Worth. Hours at all locations are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays.
Birth records for Tarrant County go back to 1926. Records before that date may be available through the Texas State Library and Archives or the Texas DSHS. The office also offers online ordering through VitalChek, the county's only approved Internet business partner for vital records.
| Main Office | 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301, Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (817) 884-1195 |
| General Phone | (817) 884-1550 |
| Website | tarrantcountytx.gov |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Locations | Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Hurst, and others |
The Tarrant County Clerk's Vital Records Division at tarrantcountytx.gov handles birth certificate requests at eight locations and through VitalChek for online orders.
How to Get a Tarrant County Birth Certificate
You can get a certified Tarrant County birth certificate in three ways: in person at any of the eight vital records locations, by mail request, or online through VitalChek. In-person is fastest. Online orders take longer but are convenient if you cannot visit a location.
To request in person, go to any Tarrant County vital records location and bring a current government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID, US passport, military ID, or visa. The fee is $23.00 per birth certificate. Death certificates cost $21.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
For online ordering, visit the county website at tarrantcountytx.gov and use the VitalChek link. You can pay by credit card. Records are mailed to you. Online orders may take several business days to process.
Important note about Arlington and Grapevine births: For births in Arlington from 1971 to present and Grapevine from 1973 to present, Tarrant County Vital Records can only provide an abstract copy. Full copies for those records must be obtained from the respective City Hall. Abstract copies may not work for passport applications in all cases.
Who Can Get Tarrant County Birth Records
Birth records are confidential for 75 years from the date of birth. Under Texas law, only qualified applicants may request certified copies of birth records during that period. The list includes the person named on the certificate, their mother, father, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, or child. Grandparents may obtain a grandchild's record, but grandchildren cannot obtain a grandparent's record without proving a direct tangible need.
Legal guardians and legal representatives of the family may also request records. Government agencies and other organizations can sometimes get access if they have a direct tangible need that is documented. If you are unsure whether you qualify, call the office at (817) 884-1550 before visiting.
Tarrant County issues birth certificates in two forms. Full copies are available when the county holds the original record. Abstract copies are for out-of-county births accessed through the state remote system. For most uses like school enrollment, Social Security applications, and name changes, either form works. For passport purposes, you typically need a full copy. If you were born before 1964, check with the clerk to make sure you are getting the right form.
Note: Records that are at least 75 years old are public and can be requested by anyone, including genealogy researchers and historians.
Tarrant County Vital Records Locations
The Tarrant County Clerk's Office has eight Vital Records locations to serve residents across this large county. The main office is in Fort Worth at 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301. Other locations include subcourthouse offices in Arlington and Mansfield.
The Arlington Subcourthouse is at 700 E. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010, and uses the same phone number as the main office: (817) 884-1550. Hours at all locations match the main office, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A full list of all eight locations is available on the county website.
Having multiple locations is a major advantage for residents of this large metro county. Fort Worth and Arlington alone have millions of residents. The ability to go to a nearby subcourthouse rather than always driving downtown makes the process faster and easier for most people.
Cities in Tarrant County
Tarrant County includes Fort Worth and Arlington, both major Texas cities. All Tarrant County births are handled through the County Clerk's Vital Records Division.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Tarrant County. Each has its own clerk office for birth records.