Wharton County Birth Records

Wharton County birth records are on file with the County Clerk in Wharton, Texas. Certified copies cost $23.00 each and are available to qualified applicants. You can request records in person at the courthouse or submit a mail request.

Wharton County Clerk

The Wharton County Clerk handles birth records for all births that occurred in the county. The Clerk's office is in Wharton, which is the county seat located in the coastal plains region of South Texas. Birth records have been maintained since 1903.

To receive a certified copy of a Wharton County birth certificate, you must be a qualified applicant under Texas law. 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. Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records are closed for 75 years from the date of birth.

How to Get Wharton County Birth Certificates

In-person requests at the Wharton County Clerk's office are the fastest option. Bring your valid photo ID and payment. Walk-in requests are usually processed the same day.

For mail requests, use the Texas Birth Certificate Application (Form VS-140). Download it from the DSHS website. Notarize the form before mailing it. Include a copy of your valid ID and a cashier's check or money order payable to the Wharton County Clerk. Personal checks are not accepted.

State-level requests go through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin. Online orders via 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.

Birth Certificate Fees in Wharton County

A certified birth certificate from the Wharton County Clerk costs $23.00. Each additional copy is $23.00 as well. The state DSHS charges $22.00 per copy.

For mail requests, send a cashier's check or money order. Do not mail personal checks or cash. Contact the Wharton County Clerk to confirm in-person payment options before you go.

Note: Fees can change at any time. Verify the current amount with the County Clerk before sending payment.

Birth Registration in Wharton County

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192, every birth in Texas must be registered within five days. The physician, midwife, or hospital staff attending the birth files the certificate with the Wharton County Clerk as local registrar. A copy is then sent to the DSHS in Austin.

Wharton County birth records exist at both the county and state level. You can request a certified copy from either office. The county clerk is often the more direct route for residents of Wharton County. If a birth was not registered, a delayed birth certificate can be filed through the DSHS. See dshs.texas.gov for details.

What Is in a Wharton County Birth Record

A certified birth certificate from Wharton County shows the registrant's full name, date and place of birth, and both parents' names. The long form shows the full original record with any amendments. The short form shows only current data. Most legal uses require the long form. The short form works for everyday needs like school, employment, and driver's license applications.

Standard Texas birth certificate information includes:

• 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
• Filing date and certificate number

Texas State Vital Records Resources

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

Texas Government Code Section 552.115 explains when birth records become public and who can access them during the 75-year restricted period.

The DSHS website describes the different types of Texas birth certificates, including the long form, short form, and heirloom versions, and which is appropriate for different legal and personal needs.

Help with Wharton County Records

Lone Star Legal Aid serves the South Texas region, including Wharton County. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org for help with vital records and family law matters.

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

Cities in Wharton County

Wharton is the county seat. El Campo and Bay City (partially in Matagorda County) are nearby communities. All birth records for Wharton County are handled by the County Clerk in Wharton.

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

Nearby Counties

Wharton County is in the coastal plains of South Texas. Nearby counties include: