Waller County Birth Records
Waller County birth records are kept by the County Clerk in Hempstead, Texas. Birth records go back to 1903 and certified copies are available to qualified applicants. You can request records in person or submit a mail request to the clerk's office.
Waller County Overview
Waller County Clerk
The Waller County Clerk handles birth records for the county. Waller County was formed in 1873 from Austin and Grimes counties. It was named for Edwin Waller, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first mayor of Austin. Hempstead serves as the county seat and is the location of the County Clerk's office.
To request a certified birth certificate, you must qualify as an eligible applicant under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. This means you are the registrant, a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a grandparent, or a legal representative. You need valid photo ID for in-person requests.
| Office | Waller County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 814 Wilkins St., Hempstead, TX 77445 |
| Phone | (979) 826-7643 |
| Fax | (979) 826-7645 |
| t.bentford@wallercounty.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Get Birth Certificates in Waller County
Walk-in requests at the Waller County Clerk's office at 814 Wilkins Street in Hempstead are the quickest option. Bring your valid photo ID and your payment. The clerk can typically process same-day walk-in requests.
For mail requests, complete the Texas Birth Certificate Application (Form VS-140). You can download it from the DSHS Vital Statistics website. Notarize the form before mailing. Include a photocopy of your valid ID and a cashier's check or money order made out to the Waller County Clerk. Personal checks are not accepted for mail requests.
You also have the option of requesting from the state. Online orders go through texas.gov and take about 20 to 25 business days. Mail orders to the state at P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040 take 6 to 8 weeks. Walk-in at the DSHS office in Austin at 1100 West 49th Street is available on weekdays for same-day service.
Waller County Birth Record Fees
The Waller County Clerk charges $23.00 for a certified copy of a birth certificate. Each additional copy costs the same. The state DSHS charges $22.00 per copy. If you order multiple copies at once, you pay the per-copy fee for each one.
For mail requests, send a cashier's check or money order. Call (979) 826-7643 ahead of time to confirm accepted payment methods for in-person visits. Waller County is close to the Houston area and sees a fair number of requests from residents in the Katy and Prairie View areas.
Birth Registration in Waller County
Every birth in Texas must be registered within five days under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192. The physician, midwife, or hospital files the certificate with the local registrar, which is the County Clerk in Hempstead. A copy then goes to the DSHS in Austin.
Waller County records are held both locally and at the state level. You can request from either office. The county clerk is a good starting point for residents in the area. Prairie View, Hempstead, and Brookshire are among the communities in Waller County. All births within county limits are processed through the County Clerk.
Delayed birth certificates for unregistered births in Waller County are handled by the DSHS. Visit dshs.texas.gov to learn about the requirements and process.
Contents of Waller County Birth Records
A certified birth certificate from Waller County shows the person's full name, date and place of birth, and parents' names. The long form birth certificate includes any corrections or amendments to the record over time. It is required for passports, name changes, and court proceedings. The short form shows only current information and is accepted for driver's licenses, school enrollment, and similar needs.
A standard Texas birth certificate includes:
- Child's full name at birth
- Date, time, and county of birth
- Sex and race of the child
- Both parents' full names
- Mother's maiden name
- Attending physician or midwife
- Date the certificate was filed
Private information like parents' Social Security numbers is held separately at the DSHS and is not part of the legal copy that is released.
State Resources for Birth Records
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin maintains state copies of all Waller County birth records and can process requests from anyone who qualifies.
The DSHS site explains current processing times, accepted IDs, and how to apply for copies online, by mail, or in person at the Austin office.
The DSHS site also explains the different certificate types available in Texas, including the long form, short form, and heirloom certificate, each used for different purposes.
Help and Resources for Waller County
Lone Star Legal Aid covers the Houston and surrounding area, which includes Waller County. They help low-income residents with vital records and family law matters. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org.
The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral line is (800) 252-9690. You can find attorneys at texasbar.com. Self-help guides are at texaslawhelp.org. For birth certificate corrections, use the DSHS amendment form VS-170 at dshs.texas.gov.
Cities in Waller County
Hempstead is the county seat of Waller County. Prairie View, Brookshire, and Katy (partially in Waller County) are other communities in the area. All birth records for Waller County go through the County Clerk in Hempstead.
No cities in Waller County currently exceed the population threshold for individual city pages.
Nearby Counties
Waller County is northwest of Houston near the I-10 corridor. Nearby counties include: