Ward County Birth Records
Ward County birth records are maintained by the County Clerk in Monahans, Texas, dating back to 1903. Certified copies cost $23.00 each. Only qualified applicants under Texas law may request records during the 75-year restriction period.
Ward County Overview
Ward County Clerk
The Ward County Clerk maintains birth records for the county and has been the local registrar since statewide birth registration began in 1903. Monahans serves as the county seat and is where the Clerk's office is located. Ward County is named for Edwin Ward Moore, a commodore of the Texas Navy.
To get a certified birth certificate from Ward County, you must show you are a qualified applicant. That means you are the registrant, a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a grandparent, or a legal representative. You must present valid photo ID with your request, whether in person or by mail.
| Office | Ward County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Monahans, TX 79756 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Request Ward County Birth Records
You can request a Ward County birth certificate in person at the County Clerk's office in Monahans. In-person requests are usually processed the same day. Bring your valid photo ID and payment.
For mail requests, complete the Texas Birth Certificate Application (Form VS-140), available from the DSHS website. The form must be notarized if you are mailing it. Include a copy of your valid ID and a cashier's check or money order. Send to the Ward County Clerk in Monahans. Personal checks are not accepted.
State-level requests go through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section. Online orders at texas.gov take 20 to 25 business days. Mail orders to the DSHS at P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040 take 6 to 8 weeks. Walk-in at the DSHS Austin office provides same-day service Monday through Friday.
Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records are closed for 75 years from the date of birth. After that they become public records.
Ward County Birth Certificate Fees
Certified copies of birth certificates from Ward County cost $23.00 each. The Texas DSHS charges $22.00 per copy. Both fees apply per copy regardless of how many you order at the same time.
Send a cashier's check or money order for all mail requests. Contact the Ward County Clerk to ask about in-person payment methods before your visit. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount before sending any payment.
Birth Registration in Ward County
Texas law under Health and Safety Code Chapter 192 requires birth registration within five days. The doctor, midwife, or hospital staff attending the birth files the certificate with the Ward County Clerk as local registrar. The Clerk sends a copy to the DSHS in Austin.
Ward County birth records are stored at both the county and state level. Either office can issue a certified copy to a qualified applicant. For births that were not registered at the time, Texas allows delayed birth certificate filings through the DSHS. Visit dshs.texas.gov for the process and required documents.
What Ward County Birth Certificates Include
A certified birth certificate from Ward County shows the registrant's full name, date and place of birth, and both parents' names. The long form is a copy of the original and includes all amendment history. The short form shows only current certified data. Most legal uses require the long form. The short form is fine for everyday uses.
Texas birth certificates typically show:
- 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
- Certificate filing date and number
Texas Vital Statistics Resources
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains state copies of Ward County birth records. Their Austin office accepts walk-in, mail, and online requests from all Texas residents.
The DSHS website explains fees, processing times, required identification, and how to submit requests for Texas birth records including Ward County certificates.
DSHS provides detailed guidance on the types of birth certificates available in Texas and which type is needed for different legal and administrative purposes.
Help with Ward County Records
For legal assistance with vital records in Ward County, the State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is available at (800) 252-9690. You can search for attorneys at texasbar.com.
Self-help guides and official Texas court forms are at texaslawhelp.org. For birth certificate corrections, use Form VS-170 from the DSHS amendment page. Questions about the CDC records information for Texas can be found at cdc.gov.
Cities in Ward County
Monahans is the county seat of Ward County. Pyote and Barstow are smaller communities in the county. All Ward County birth records are filed through the County Clerk in Monahans.
No cities in Ward County currently exceed the population threshold for individual city pages.
Nearby Counties
Ward County is in West Texas near the Permian Basin. Check the county where the birth took place. Nearby counties include: