Washington County Birth Records

Washington County birth records are maintained by the County Clerk in Brenham, Texas. The Clerk handles birth and death registration, marriage license issuance, and other recorded documents for the county. Certified copies can be requested in person or by mail.

Washington County Clerk

The Washington County Clerk is County Clerk Beth A. Rothermel. The duties of the office include birth and death registration, issuance of certified copies, marriage license issuance, and recording of official documents such as deeds, liens, and oil and gas leases. The Clerk also serves as clerk of the County Court for probate, guardianship, and certain civil and criminal cases.

The County Clerk is the custodian of all county records including birth certificates, death records, cattle brands, hospital liens, deeds, and military discharge documents (DD-214). Washington County records date to the early Texas era. For birth records, the standard start date is 1903 in line with statewide registration.

Requesting Washington County Birth Records

Visit the Washington County Clerk at Suite 102, 100 E. Main Street in Brenham for in-person requests. Walk-in visits allow same-day processing in most cases. Bring your valid photo ID and payment when you arrive.

For mail requests, download the Texas Birth Certificate Application (Form VS-140) from the DSHS website. Complete and notarize the form. Attach a copy of your valid photo ID. Send a cashier's check or money order to Washington County Clerk, 100 E. Main Street, Suite 102, Brenham, TX 77833. Personal checks are not accepted for mail requests.

The Washington County Clerk's website at co.washington.tx.us provides local birth records information. You can also request birth records from the Texas DSHS state office online at texas.gov or by mail to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040.

Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records are not public for 75 years. Only the registrant, parents, siblings, spouses, grandparents, and legal representatives may request them during that period.

The Washington County Clerk's official website has specific information about how to request birth records by mail from their office in Brenham.

The county site includes the mailing address for requests, the notarization requirement, and details about acceptable identification for birth certificate applications.

Washington County Birth Certificate Fees

A certified copy of a birth certificate from Washington County costs $23.00. Each additional copy is also $23.00. The state DSHS charges $22.00 per copy. Either office can issue a certified copy to a qualified applicant.

For mail requests to the county, send a cashier's check or money order. Personal checks are not accepted. Call (979) 277-6200 ext. 5303 before your visit to confirm in-person payment options.

Note: Fees can change. Always verify the current amount with the Washington County Clerk or on their website before sending payment.

Birth Registration in Washington County

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192, all Texas births must be registered within five days. The attending physician, midwife, or hospital administrator files the certificate with the local registrar, which is the Washington County Clerk in Brenham. A copy then goes to the DSHS in Austin.

Washington County birth records exist at both the county and state level. For most requests, either office can provide a certified copy. The local clerk may be more responsive for county residents and can often process requests faster. For historical records, the county archive may have documents not yet captured at the state level.

If a birth in Washington County was not registered at the time, Texas allows delayed birth certificate filings. The DSHS handles these requests. See dshs.texas.gov for the requirements. You will need supporting documents to prove the birth event took place.

What Washington County Birth Records Show

A certified birth certificate from Washington 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 record and shows any amendments. It is required for passports, court proceedings, and legal name changes. The short form shows only current certified data. It is accepted for school enrollment, driver's license applications, and most routine purposes.

Standard items found on a Texas birth certificate:

• Child's full legal name at birth
• Date, time, and county of birth
• Sex and race
• Both parents' full names
• Mother's maiden name
• Name of attending physician or midwife
• Filing date and certificate number

State Vital Records Resources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains state copies of all Washington County birth records. Their Austin office is open weekdays for walk-in, mail, and online requests.

The DSHS site has current fee information, processing times, and downloadable application forms. It is the primary state resource for ordering Texas birth certificates online or by mail.

Legal Help and Resources

Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Central Texas region, including Washington County. They help low-income residents with vital records and family law matters. Visit lonestarlegal.org or call (800) 733-8394.

The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral line is (800) 252-9690. Find attorneys at texasbar.com. Self-help guides and official forms are at texaslawhelp.org. For birth certificate corrections, use Form VS-170 at dshs.texas.gov.

Cities in Washington County

Brenham is the county seat and largest city in Washington County. Brenham is also the home of Blue Bell Creameries. Other communities in the county include Burton and Chappell Hill. All birth records for Washington County go through the County Clerk in Brenham.

No cities in Washington County currently exceed the population threshold for individual city pages.

Nearby Counties

Washington County is in the south-central part of Texas between Austin and Houston. Nearby counties include: