Upton County Birth Records
Upton County birth records are on file with the County Clerk in Rankin and go back to 1903. You can request certified copies in person or by mail. Only qualified applicants under Texas law may access birth records within the 75-year restriction period.
Upton County Overview
Upton County Clerk
The Upton County Clerk maintains birth records for births that occurred within the county. The Clerk's office is located in Rankin, the county seat. Upton County is a small, rural county in West Texas. Birth records have been kept since 1903 in line with the start of statewide registration in Texas.
To obtain a birth certificate from Upton County, you must qualify as an eligible requester under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. This includes the registrant, parents, siblings, a spouse, or a legal representative. You must present valid photo ID with your request.
| Office | Upton County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Courthouse Annex, 1000 North Rankin St., Rankin, TX 79778 |
| Phone | (432) 693-2014 |
| Fax | (432) 693-2333 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Get Birth Certificates in Upton County
To request a birth certificate in Upton County, you can go to the County Clerk's office in person or send a mail request. In-person visits are the fastest way to get your record. Bring a valid photo ID and payment.
For mail requests, use the Texas Birth Certificate Application (Form VS-140), which you can download from the DSHS website. Mail applications must be notarized. Include a copy of your valid photo ID and a cashier's check or money order. Do not send personal checks. Send your request to the Upton County Clerk at the Courthouse Annex in Rankin.
You can also request records directly from the Texas DSHS office in Austin. Online orders through texas.gov are another option. Online orders take 20 to 25 business days. Mail orders to the state take 6 to 8 weeks. Walk-in visits to the state office at 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756 usually provide same-day service.
Upton County Birth Record Fees
A certified copy of a birth certificate from Upton County costs $23.00. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is also $23.00. If you order from the state DSHS office, the fee is $22.00 per copy.
Pay by cashier's check or money order for mail requests to the county. In person, check with the County Clerk about accepted payment methods. Call ahead to confirm. Fees may change, and it is always best to verify before sending money.
Texas offers a fee waiver for people who cannot afford to pay. You file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment, and the court reviews your request. The form is available at txcourts.gov.
Birth Record Registration in Upton County
Texas law requires every birth to be registered within five days of the event. The physician, midwife, or hospital staff attending the birth files the certificate with the local county clerk. In Upton County, that means the certificate goes to the County Clerk in Rankin. A copy then goes to the state DSHS office in Austin under the rules set out in Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192.
Because the state and county both hold copies, you can request a certified birth certificate from either office. For Upton County births, the local clerk is often the more direct path. If the birth was never registered, Texas has a process for delayed registration. The DSHS handles those requests. See dshs.texas.gov for details.
What a Birth Certificate Contains
A certified Upton County birth certificate includes the full name, date and place of birth, and parents' names. The long form is a full copy of the original record, including any amendment history. It is used for passports and legal filings. The short form shows only current data and is fine for school, employment, and most everyday needs.
Texas birth certificates typically include:
- Child's full legal name
- Date, time, and county of birth
- Sex of the child
- Names and ages of both parents
- Mother's maiden name
- Name of the attending physician or midwife
- Date the record was filed
Private information, such as the parents' Social Security numbers, is on file at the state but is not part of the legal birth certificate that gets released to applicants.
State Vital Records Resources
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section is the state-level custodian for birth records from all Texas counties, including Upton County. Birth records from the county are forwarded to this office and can be requested from either location.
The DSHS website shows current processing times, fees, and the list of accepted identification for birth records requests across Texas.
Texas administrative rules govern how birth records are issued, corrected, and protected. These rules apply to all 254 Texas counties, including Upton.
Help with Upton County Records
If you need assistance with your birth record request or have a legal question about vital records access, West Texas legal aid groups may be able to help. The State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can search for an attorney at texasbar.com.
Self-help guides and court forms are available at texaslawhelp.org. For questions about birth certificate corrections or delayed registration, call the DSHS Vital Statistics line at (888) 963-7111.
Cities in Upton County
Rankin serves as the county seat of Upton County. McCamey is another community in the county. All birth records for Upton County are maintained by the County Clerk in Rankin.
No cities in Upton County currently exceed the population threshold for individual city pages.
Nearby Counties
Upton County is in West Texas and is surrounded by oil country. Check the county where the birth occurred to know which office holds the record.