Because Texas is a closed record state, only immediate family, such as parents, siblings or grandparents, can order copies of someone's birth certificate. Legal guardians and authorities from local, state or federal law enforcement or government agencies can also request a birth certificate if they have a direct and tangible interest in the person whose name is on it. A person can also order a copy their own birth certificate.
Closed Public Records in Texas
Only qualified people can purchase closed records. There are two types of sealed documents in Texas: a birth certificate with a birth date within the past 75 years and a death certificate with a death date within the past 25 years. Anyone can purchase a closed record in Texas if they are immediate family members to the person on either type of certificate. Persons living outside the Lone Star State can also order their own record or the record of an immediate family member.
The same holds true on the municipal level. In El Paso, a person can order a birth certificate under these circumstances:
- They are the person whose name is on the birth certificate.
- They are an immediate family member to the person on the certificate, such as spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings or children.
- They are a legal guardian or an attorney.
- They are from local, state or federal law enforcement or government agencies demonstrating a direct and tangible interest in the birth certificate, such as an authority with a court order establishing a guardianship.
Information Needed for El Paso County Birth Records
When ordering a birth certificate in El Paso, the person requesting it must know certain information:
- Full name of the person on the birth certificate (middle names are optional).
- Person's date of birth.
- City and county of birth.
- Full name of their father, if it is on the birth certificate.
- Full maiden name of their mother, if it is on the birth certificate.
If a person orders a protected birth certificate for a birth that has taken place within the past 75 years, they will need to show:
- State-issued, current driver's license or identification card, a passport or military ID.
- Social Security number.
- Date of birth.
- Address.
Ordering the Birth Certificate
When requesting a birth certificate from the city of El Paso or El Paso County, individuals must print and fill out a birth certificate application form and sign under the area that says "Affidavit of Personal Knowledge" with a notary public present. They must include payment and copies of their identification documents. The documents and payment must be sent to the Texas Vital Records Office, Department of State Health Services, 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756 in order to receive the birth certificate. Those who prefer to send their application to the county can mail it to one of the these addresses:
- County Courthouse: 500 E. San Antonio, Suite 105, El Paso, Texas 79901. Phone: 915-546-2071; fax: 915-546-2012. Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Ysleta Annex: 9521 Socorro Road, Suite A-1m, El Paso, Texas 79927. Phone: 915-860-2484. Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Northeast Annex: 4641 Cohen Avenue, Suite B, El Paso, Texas 79924. Phone: 915-759-0233. Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
An individual can also order a birth certificate online through VitalChek. To order one in person, they can take their documents to the addresses above during office hours. A certified copy of a birth certificate in Texas costs $23. Cash, credit or debit cards, money orders, and cashiers and business checks are accepted. Purchasers should make checks payable to the El Paso County Clerk's office.