Please note the City of Austin Office of Vital Records will be closed on Wednesday, March 13 and will re-open on Thursday, March 14 at 8am.

The Office of Vital Records registers births and deaths that occur within the city limits of Austin. Birth and death records are confidential and certificates are available only to the person named on the certificate, immediate family (parent, grandparent, sibling, adult child, spouse), or legal representatives with proper documentation.

Current government-issued photo identification is required for all requests:

You can see the list of identifications we accept here. The Office of Vital Records follows identification requirements according to the Texas Administrative Code.

How To Order a Birth or Death Certificate

There are four ways to get a certificate:

  • Online - Receive in 3 to 10 business days
  • Phone - Receive in 3 to 10 business days   
  • By mail - Receive in 2 to 3 weeks
  • Walk-in - Receive in-person within 30 minutes

Read the instructions on how to order certificates here.

Cost

  • Birth Certificates cost $23 for each copy.
  • Death Certificates cost $21 for the first copy, and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Please note: There are additional processing and shipping fees for internet orders and phone orders.

Information Required on All Requests

  • The name on the certificate you are requesting
  • Date of birth or date of death
  • Parents' full names before marriage
  • Name of the county and city where the birth or death occurred
  • Requestor's name, address, and daytime telephone number
  • Requestor's relationship with the person on the certificate
  • An explanation of why the certificate is needed
  • Requestor's signature
  • Current government-issued identification of the requestor (see the list of identifications we accept here).

Types of Certificates

1. Long/Baby Form Birth Certificates – Only available for people born in the full purpose city limits of Austin from 1940 to 1956 and from 1961 to the present. Newborn certificates are ready about 2 weeks after the birth. This certificate contains personal information so it is not recommended for day-to-day business. The long-form certificate is recommended for personal records, immigration, dual citizenship, paternity issues, and passports.

2. Security/Abstract Size Birth Certificates – Available for most births in Texas from 1926 to the present. This shortened certificate contains less personal information and is recommended for day-to-day business such as driver’s licenses, jobs, school, insurance, and U.S. travel.

3. Death Certificates - Only available for people who died in the City of Austin from 1940 to 1956 and from 1961 to the present.

Please note:  Births and deaths in suburban areas of Austin, such as the Renaissance Hospital in Bee Cave or at Bergstrom Air Force Base, are not registered with the City of Austin. Statewide Long/Baby Form Birth Certificates and Death Certificates in Texas can be ordered from the Texas Department of State Health Services at www.texas.gov. 

Pictures of Types of Birth Certificates

 

Long/Baby Form (available for births

within the city of Austin only)

Short Form / Security Size

(also known as Abstract certificate)