Texas issues two different versions of a certified birth certificate at the exact same price, and ordering the wrong one for a passport application is one of the most common, entirely avoidable delays people run into. For the general national picture of cost and eligibility, see our main guide on getting a birth certificate. Here is exactly how Texas’s system works.
Texas Birth Certificate Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Issuing agency | Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Vital Statistics Section |
| Certified copy fee | $22, whether long form or short form |
| Two versions issued | Long form and short form, same price, different uses |
| Required for passports | Long form |
| Access restriction | 75 years from the date of birth |
| Standard mail processing | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Expedited fee | $25, roughly 4 weeks |
| Military and foster/homeless youth | Fee exempt |
Long Form or Short Form: Why It Actually Matters
Both versions cost exactly $22, and both are legally valid certified copies issued by the same state agency. The difference is entirely about what information each one includes, and that difference has real consequences depending on what you’re using the certificate for.
The long form is a copy of the original birth certificate as filed, and it includes a complete history of any corrections made to the record over time. The short form is an abstract, showing only current information, the name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and parents’ names, with no correction history included at all. For most everyday purposes, school registration, employment verification, insurance, the short form works perfectly well. But the U.S. Department of State specifically requires the long form for passport applications, and a Texas short form submitted for a passport application is routinely rejected, costing you the weeks it takes to reorder the correct version.
If you are ordering a certificate and are not entirely sure what it will ultimately be used for, ordering the long form is the safer default, since it satisfies both everyday purposes and the stricter federal requirements, while a short form only covers the former.
Other Versions Worth Knowing About
- Heirloom certificate: a decorative abstract, available in a Texas flag or bassinet design, intended for framing and display rather than official use, at $60
- Birth verification letter: confirms a birth record exists but is not an official certificate itself, also $22
Neither of these substitutes for a long form or short form certified copy when an official agency, bank, school, or the passport office requires one.
Access Is Restricted for 75 Years
Texas birth certificates are not open public records. Access is restricted to qualified applicants for 75 years from the date of birth, a notably longer restriction period than the 25 years Texas applies to death certificates. See our guide on getting a death certificate in Texas if you’re wondering why the two records are treated so differently; broadly, the longer restriction period for birth records reflects the greater identity theft risk tied to a living person’s foundational identity document, compared to a death record.
What It Costs, and Who Doesn’t Have to Pay
The standard fee is $22 per certified copy, regardless of which version you choose. Expedited processing, which brings the timeline down to roughly four weeks, costs an additional $25 and requires the application to be sent via overnight mail service. Active military personnel with current deployment orders, and foster or homeless children and youth, are exempt from the fee entirely, though the required supporting documentation still needs to accompany the request.
How to Order
1. Online: available through the Texas.gov portal for eligible requesters, including those living outside Texas, provided you can verify your identity with a Texas driver’s license or ID number plus your Social Security number.
2. By mail: complete the Mail Application for Birth Record (Form VS-140), select long form, short form, or heirloom, and include payment by check or money order payable to DSHS Vital Statistics.
3. In person: at the DSHS office in Austin, or through a local county clerk’s office, though county offices may only offer certain versions, such as the short form, rather than the full range DSHS provides.
Standard mail orders are processed and mailed roughly 6 to 8 weeks after DSHS receives the request. Expedited mail orders, sent via overnight service, are processed and mailed in about 4 weeks.
Using a Texas Birth Certificate Internationally
If you need your Texas birth certificate recognized in another country, for international adoption, foreign employment, or a citizenship application abroad, you will likely need an apostille, an official authentication confirming the document is a legitimate government record. DSHS does not send records directly to the Texas Secretary of State’s office for this purpose; you need to handle the apostille request separately once you have your certified copy in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a Texas long form and short form birth certificate?
The long form is a full copy of the original record, including any correction history, and is required for passport applications. The short form is an abstract with only current information and no correction history, sufficient for most everyday purposes but not for a passport.
How much does a Texas birth certificate cost?
$22 for either the long form or short form. Expedited processing adds $25. Heirloom decorative certificates cost $60.
Who can get a copy of a Texas birth certificate?
Access is restricted to qualified applicants for 75 years from the date of birth, verified through Texas DSHS’s identification requirements. This is a longer restriction period than Texas applies to death certificates.
Can I order a Texas birth certificate if I live in another state?
Yes, through the Texas.gov online portal, as long as you can verify your identity with a Texas driver’s license or ID number plus your Social Security number.
Do I need a long form birth certificate for a passport?
Yes. The U.S. Department of State requires the long form for passport applications. A short form is frequently rejected for this specific purpose.
Bottom Line
A Texas birth certificate costs $22 regardless of which version you choose, but choosing correctly matters: the long form for anything passport-related, the short form for everyday purposes. Access is restricted for 75 years, considerably longer than Texas death certificates. For the broader national picture, see our guide on getting a birth certificate.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Fees, eligibility rules and processing times can change; confirm current requirements directly with Texas DSHS Vital Statistics before applying.
