Get a birth or death certificate (2024)

There are four ways to get a certificate:

1. Walk-in - Receive certificate in-person within 30 minutes
2. Online - Receive certificate in 3 to 10 business days
3. Phone - Receive certificate in 3 to 10 business days
4. By mail - Receive certificate in 2 to 3 weeks

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

Walk-in – Receive within 30 minutes

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 4:15 p.m. and the office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In most cases the certificate is printed and given to you within 30 minutes.

What to bring

• Current government-issued photo identificationor secondary identifying documents arerequired. See the list of types of identification that are accepted.
• Bring an application for faster service while you are here. Download and print one in English (483 KB) or Spanish (566 KB).
• 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 copy is $4.

Online – Receive in 3 to 10 business days

• Go to VitalCheck.com to submit your application.
• 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 iswith 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 10 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

Mail the following items

• A completed and notarized application. Download and print one in English (483 KB) or Spanish (566 KB).
• 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

• 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.

This information is 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).

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 usually available to be requested 2 weeks after the birth. The long-form certificate is recommended for personal records, baptism, apostilles, immigration, dual citizenship, paternity issues, and passports.

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 registration, insurance, social security and U.S. travel.

Death Certificates

Only available for people who died in the full purpose city limits of Austin from 1940 to 1956 and from 1961 to the present. Death certificates are usually available to be requested about 2 weeks after the death.