Walker County Birth Records Search
Walker County birth records are maintained by the County Clerk in Huntsville. The county has kept birth records since 1903, and certified copies are available to qualified applicants. You can request records in person at the courthouse or by mail.
Walker County Overview
Walker County Clerk
The Walker County Clerk maintains birth records and other vital documents for the county. Walker County was established in 1846 and named for Samuel Hamilton Walker, a Texas Ranger who served in the Mexican-American War. The county seat is Huntsville, home to Sam Houston State University and a number of state prison facilities.
To request a certified birth certificate, you must be a qualified applicant. Texas restricts access to birth records for 75 years from the date of birth. Qualified persons include the registrant, parents, siblings, a spouse, grandparents, and legal representatives. Bring valid photo ID when visiting in person.
| Office | Walker County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1301 Sam Houston Ave., Suite 114, Huntsville, TX 77340 |
| Phone | (936) 436-4959 |
| Fax | (936) 436-4961 |
| walkerv@co.walker.tx.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Request Walker County Birth Records
You can walk in to the Walker County Clerk at Suite 114, 1301 Sam Houston Ave. in Huntsville. Bring your photo ID and be ready to pay on the spot. In-person requests are typically processed the same day.
For mail requests, download and complete Form VS-140 from the DSHS website. Notarize the form and include a copy of your valid ID. Send a cashier's check or money order to the Walker County Clerk. Do not mail personal checks.
State-level requests can be made online through texas.gov. Online orders take approximately 20 to 25 business days. Mail orders to the state office at P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040 take 6 to 8 weeks. Walk-in at the state Austin office provides same-day service on weekdays.
Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records are restricted for 75 years. After that, the records become public and anyone may request them.
Walker County Birth Certificate Fees
A certified copy of a birth certificate from Walker County costs $23.00. Each additional copy is also $23.00. If you request from the state DSHS office, the fee is $22.00 per copy.
Send a cashier's check or money order for mail requests. Personal checks are not accepted. Call (936) 436-4959 or email walkerv@co.walker.tx.us to ask about in-person payment options before you visit.
Note: Verify the current fee before submitting payment. Fees can change, and the clerk's office can confirm the latest amount.
How Births Are Registered in Walker County
All Texas births must be registered within five days under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. The attending physician, midwife, or hospital staff files the birth certificate with the Walker County Clerk as the local registrar. The Clerk then sends a copy to the Texas DSHS office in Austin.
Both the county and state hold copies of Walker County birth records. You can request a certified copy from either office. The local clerk is often the better starting point for Walker County residents. For very old records, the county level is where you should check first.
If a Walker County birth was not registered at the time, you can file a delayed birth certificate through the DSHS. See dshs.texas.gov for details. Supporting documents are required to verify the birth event.
What Walker County Birth Records Include
A certified birth certificate from Walker County shows the registrant's full name, birth date and place, and both parents' names. The long form is a copy of the original and includes correction history. It is required for passports, name changes, and most legal filings. The short form shows current data only and works for school enrollment, job applications, and similar everyday uses.
Standard fields on a Texas birth certificate:
- Child's full legal name
- Date, time, and county of birth
- Sex and race
- Both parents' full names
- Mother's maiden name
- Attending physician or midwife
- Date record was filed and certificate number
Social Security numbers of the parents are held at the state level and are not part of the legal birth certificate copy issued to applicants.
Texas Vital Statistics Resources
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section holds state copies of all Walker County birth records. Their Austin office is open to the public on weekdays and can process walk-in requests the same day.
The DSHS website provides downloadable forms, current fee information, processing times, and acceptable ID lists for all Texas birth records requests including Walker County.
You can order Walker County birth certificates directly through the Texas DSHS online ordering system or by downloading the application and mailing it to the Austin office.
Legal Help in Walker County
Lone Star Legal Aid serves the East Texas and Houston regions, including Walker County. They offer help to low-income residents with vital records access and family law matters. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org.
The State Bar of Texas offers a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can search for attorneys online at texasbar.com. Self-help guides and forms are available at texaslawhelp.org.
Cities in Walker County
Huntsville is the county seat of Walker County and home to Sam Houston State University. Huntsville is the largest city in the county. All birth records for Walker County are filed through the County Clerk in Huntsville.
No cities in Walker County currently exceed the population threshold for individual city pages.
Nearby Counties
Walker County is in East Texas near the Sam Houston National Forest. Nearby counties include: