Birth certificate
$22.00 by standard mail
Texas DSHS processing times
Verified 2026-08-06
Texas vital records: fees, timing, and ordering rules.
A source-linked comparison of published birth, death, and marriage certificate channels. Published floors are labeled; they are never presented as a guaranteed final total.
Last verified 2026-08-06
Published fee schedule
Death certificate
$20.00 by standard mail
Texas DSHS processing times
Verified 2026-08-06
Marriage certificate
$20.00 by standard mail
Texas DSHS processing times
Verified 2026-08-06
Channel-by-channel price
| Record / channel | First copy | Processing fee | Shipping | Published total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificateVital Statistics by mail | $22.00Texas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 |
| Birth certificateAustin walk-in | $22.00Texas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 |
| Birth certificateTexas.gov | $22.00Texas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 |
| Death certificateVital Statistics by mail | $20.00Texas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 |
| Death certificateAustin walk-in | $20.00Texas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 |
| Death certificateTexas.gov | $20.00Texas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 |
| Marriage certificateMarriage verification by mail | $20.00Texas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 |
| Marriage certificateAustin walk-in | $20.00Texas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 |
| Marriage certificateTexas.gov | $20.00Texas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 |
Processing and realistic wait
| Record / channel | Standard processing | Expedited | Shipping | Total realistic wait | Paid speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificateVital Statistics by mail | 25–30 business daysTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | unknown |
| Birth certificateAustin walk-in | Typically same day; some applications require longerTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | unknown |
| Birth certificateTexas.gov | 20–25 business daysTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | faster |
| Death certificateVital Statistics by mail | 25–30 business daysTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | unknown |
| Death certificateAustin walk-in | Typically same day; some applications require longerTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | unknown |
| Death certificateTexas.gov | 20–25 business daysTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | faster |
| Marriage certificateMarriage verification by mail | 25–30 business daysTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | unknown |
| Marriage certificateAustin walk-in | Typically same day; some applications require longerTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas qualified-requester and ordering requirements · verified 2026-08-06 | unknown |
| Marriage certificateTexas.gov | 20–25 business daysTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | Not publishedTexas.gov processing times · verified 2026-08-06 | faster |
These are published estimates, not observed door-to-door delivery times.
Who can order
- Birth certificate
- Births within 75 years and deaths within 25 years are restricted to immediate family or people with documented direct and tangible interest. Adult-child eligibility: yes.
- Death certificate
- Births within 75 years and deaths within 25 years are restricted to immediate family or people with documented direct and tangible interest. Adult-child eligibility: yes.
- Marriage certificate
- Statewide marriage products are verification letters, not certified copies; certified marriage records come from the county clerk. Adult-child eligibility: yes.
Mail-order requirements
- Birth certificate · Vital Statistics by mail
- Payment: check, money order. Return envelope: Not required. Notarization: Required. Photo ID: Required.Texas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06
- Death certificate · Vital Statistics by mail
- Payment: check, money order. Return envelope: Not required. Notarization: Required. Photo ID: Required.Texas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06
- Marriage certificate · Marriage verification by mail
- Payment: check, money order. Return envelope: Not required. Notarization: Not required. Photo ID: Required.Texas DSHS processing times · verified 2026-08-06
Genealogy and older records
- Birth certificate
- No separate genealogy rule was verifiable. Records available from: 1903. Earlier records: County clerk where the event occurred.
- Death certificate
- No separate genealogy rule was verifiable. Records available from: 1903. Earlier records: County clerk where the event occurred.
- Marriage certificate
- No separate genealogy rule was verifiable. Records available from: 1966 verification letters. Earlier records: County clerk where the event occurred.
Official order links
Processing times
Verified 2026-08-06
Qualified requesters
Verified 2026-08-06
Costs and fees
Verified 2026-08-06