How do you get a birth certificate in Austin?

Short answer

Austin birth certificates are issued through the Austin Public Health Office of Vital Records for local births, or through Texas Vital Statistics for any Texas birth. Eligibility, acceptable ID, fees, and ordering methods are set by the official offices, so confirm the current requirements before you go or mail anything.

Next steps

1. Confirm the birth was registered in Austin or elsewhere in Texas to pick the right office.
2. Check the official page for who may request the record and which IDs are accepted.
3. Choose the current ordering method (in person, mail, or the official online route) and the fee.
4. Keep the receipt or tracking information and verify the certificate details when it arrives.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ordering from a third-party site that charges extra for the same record
• Mailing original IDs or more personal information than the office asks for
• Assuming a hospital souvenir certificate is a legal record
• Waiting until a deadline to start; corrections take longer

Key facts

• Austin Public Health's Office of Vital Records issues certified copies for births inside Austin; Texas DSHS Vital Statistics covers any Texas birth.
• Only eligible family relationships can order a certified copy; bring ID or order through the official channel.
• County and state copies are both valid for passports, schools, and benefits.

Checked August 26, 2026 against the official source.

Official sources

• City of Austin birth or death certificates
• Austin Public Health Office of Vital Records

Checked August 26, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.

Related resident guides

• Update records after a Texas court name-change order
• Texas DPS appointment: how to find an open slot
• How to request Austin public records