Home › Birth certificate fees by state › Texas
Texas birth certificate copy fee: $22
Checked against the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics page on 2026-10-19
$22first certified copy
Texas DSHS Vital Statisticsstate office that issues it
This is what the Texas state vital records office charges for a certified copy of a birth certificate. The official fee wording:
Certified Copy - Long Form (e.g., for U.S. Passports) $22.00. Certified Copy - Short Form (e.g., for school registration) $22.00.
Texas at a glance
| Certified copy | $22.00, long or short form |
|---|---|
| Mail orders | Notarized application and a photocopy of ID required |
| Default return | USPS First Class mail at no cost |
| Refunds | Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, even if the record is not found |
| Local offices | Certified copies can also be ordered in person at local offices |
Record types and their fees
| Record | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy, long form (e.g., for U.S. passports) | $22.00 |
| Certified copy, short form (e.g., for school registration) | $22.00 |
| Birth verification (not a certified copy) | $22.00 |
| Heirloom birth certificate (official record for display) | $60.00 |
| Certificate for election identification | Fee waived |
| Military personnel (Texas Government Code 437.217; letter from unit commander required) | Fee waived |
| Homeless youth (Texas Health and Safety Code 191.0049; documentation required) | Fee waived |
Optional and added charges
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Expedited processing fee (application must be mailed by overnight service) | $25.00 |
| Expedited return shipping, overnight mail (within USA only) | $16.00 |
| Expedited return shipping, USPS Express Mail (PO Box only) | $22.95 |
| Credit card processing fee, in-person orders at DSHS in Austin | $2.25 |
Who can order a certified copy
A person qualified to get a certified copy of the record. Anyone can order a birth verification (not a certified copy) by giving the full name, date and place of birth.
Ways to order
| Method | What the state says |
|---|---|
| Online | Order online at Texas.gov; DSHS calls it the fastest, easiest way, as long as you meet the online requirements. |
| Complete the application with no cross-outs, white-out or correction tape; sign it in front of a notary and get a notary seal; include a photocopy of acceptable ID; pay by check or money order made out to DSHS Vital Statistics. Standard or expedited service. | |
| In person | At a local office or the Vital Statistics central office in Austin during business hours, with original acceptable ID; pay by credit card or check/money order made out to DSHS Vital Statistics. In Austin most records are issued the same day, though some take 24 hours or more. |
Also stated by the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics
- DSHS states the expedited service fee changed from $5 to $25, and that expediting does not guarantee the record will be issued if the application requirements are not met.
- If expedited processing is selected, expedited return shipping is required.
Need the 2×2 in photo? Check the official size and crop your own photo in your browser: US passport photo size and crop tool.
Official sources
- https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/costs-fees — birth record fees, expedite and shipping fees, card fee, refund rule (checked 2026-10-19)
- https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/check-order-status/requirements-mail-person-orders — mail and in-person requirements, payee, notary, ID (checked 2026-10-19)
- https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/birth-records — ways to order, local offices, same-day service in Austin (checked 2026-10-19)
General information copied from the official page, not legal advice. Fees change; if the state page shows a different amount, the state page is correct — please tell us.