Birth & Death Records
Certificate Fees
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Birth Certificate
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$23.00 |
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Additional Copy of Birth Cert.
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$23.00 |
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Death Certificate (POLK CO ONLY)
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$21.00 |
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Additional Copy of Death Cert.
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$4.00 |
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| *Must be ordered at the same time* |
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APPLICATION FOR BIRTH/DEATH RECORD
AUTHORIZATION FOR VITAL RECORDS
For any applicant born in Polk County, a long form certificate will be issued. We do offer an Abstract Birth Record (short form) for those individuals born in Texas but outside the boundary of Polk County.
Long Form Birth Certificate: Most comprehensive birth record. It is a copy of the original birth certificate. It will also show a history of corrections that have been made to the birth record. This form is often used for requesting passports.
Short Form Birth Certificate: An abstract of the birth record. This birth certificate will only show current information for the child's name, date of birth,sex and name of parent(s). This form will not show a history of corrections. This form is acceptable for most purposes, other than a passport.
**THIS OFFICE CANNOT GUARANTEE ANY BIRTH CERTIFICATES ISSUED WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR A PASSPORT**
These records are filed where the decedent passed away, NOT where they resided and are only available within that county or Bureau of Vital Statistics in Austin.
Texas Vital Statistics-Death Record Request
Birth records are closed for 75 years and Death records are closed for 25 years. They are restricted by law as to who may obtain a copy. Only properly qualified applicants will be issued a birth or death certificate.
| Properly Qualified Applicant |
Immediate family member (father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, husband, or wife) by blood marriage or adoption; guardian; legal agent or representative; local, state and federal law enforcement or governmental agencies demonstrating a direct and tangible interest in the record.
- U.S. issued driver license or identification card (CAN NOT BE EXPIRED MORE THAN 90 DAYS)
- Military ID
- U.S. government employment badge or private company employment badge
- offender identification card
- Passport
- U.S. citizenship certificate, permanent resident card, resident alien card, citizen I
- Pilot's license, Concealed Handgun license, Social Worker ID
**THIS OFFICE DOES NOT ACCEPT THE MATRICULA CONSULAR AS AN INDEPENDENT FORM OF VALID IDENTIFICATION**
In the absence of any forms of identification listed above, secondary and supporting identification may be used. Please refer to the list below:
Identification List (English)
Identification List (Spanish)
You may fill out and submit an application by mail. You must include a copy of a valid ID and payment with either a money order or cashier's check. Please mail requests to:
Polk County Clerk Office
101 W Mill St, Ste 265
Livingston, Texas 77351
*THIS OFFICE DOES NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS FOR BIRTH OR DEATH CERTIFICATES*