There are four ways to get a birth or death certificate:

WALK-IN and receive the certificate in person

ONLINE or BY PHONE and receive certificates with UPS delivery

BY MAIL and receive certificates in the mail.

Walk In – Receive within 30 minutes.

PLEASE NOTE the office will be closed on Friay, September 22.

  • Where we are:  The Office of Vital Records is at 7201 Levander Loop, Building C, Austin, TX, 78702. It is on the Betty Dunkerley Campus next to the Animal Center. 
  • Our hours: Walk-in applications are accepted until 4:15pm and the office is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
  • Current government-issued photo identification or secondary identifying documents are required. See the list of types of identification that are accepted.
  • Bring an application for faster service while you are here. Download and print in English or Spanish.
  • Payment: You can pay by cash, money order in the exact amount, personal check, or credit or debit card in your name.
    • The cost for each birth certificate is $23.
    • The cost for one death certificate is $21. If you order more copies at the same time, the cost for each extra one is $4.

Online – Receive in 2 to 7 business days

  • Website link:  www.VitalChek.com.
  • Payment: You must use a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover). Processing and UPS shipping fees will be added.
  • Processing and shipping: Order processing takes about 1 to 3 business days if your request is approved. Delivery of certificates is with UPS shipping within 2 business days. Please note we are unable to ship to PO or APO boxes.
  • Proof of identity: VitalChek may be able to verify your identity for you. If they cannot, you will be instructed to upload a copy of your current government-issued identification and proof of shipping address before your application can be processed. This will delay the processing and delivery time.

By Phone – Receive in 3 to 7 business days

  • Call: VitalChek, our secure online agent, at 1-800-457-7586.
  • Payment: You must use a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover). Processing and UPS shipping fees will be added.
  • Processing and shipping:  Order processing takes about 2 to 3 business days for if your identity is approved plus UPS shipping within 2 business days.
  • Proof of identity: VitalChek may be able to verify your identity for you. If they cannot, you will be instructed to send a copy of your current government-issued identification and proof of shipping address before your application can be processed. This will delay the processing and delivery time.

By Mail – Receive in 2 to 3 weeks

Note: Incorrect or incomplete information will delay processing time on all orders.

Mail the following items:

  • A completed and notarized application (download and print one in English or Spanish)
  • A check or money order payable to the Office of Vital Records ($23 for each copy of a birth certificate; $21 for one death certificate plus $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time). Note: Personal checks must be signed by the same person who signs the application.
  • A copy of your current government-issued photo identification. See a list of accepted forms of ID.
  • If your home address is different from the address on your photo ID, you need to send a copy of your proof of residence, such as a utility bill, voter registration card, etc.
  • A postage-paid (stamped) self-addressed envelope of your choice. (You may use an express mail envelope for faster delivery).

Mail your application to our mailing address:

Office of Vital Records
PO Box 1088
Austin, TX 78767-1088

If you need the certificate quickly, use an Express form of delivery, such as FedEx, USPS, or UPS, and send your application to our office at:

Office of Vital Records
7201 Levander Loop, Bldg. C
Austin, TX  78702