Delayed Birth Registration

Births occurring in Texas should be officially registered within the first year. If this does not occur, you can apply for a Delayed Certificate of Birth through Vital Statistics.  Please note documentation requirements below. If acceptable supporting documentation is not provided in a timely manner, the processing time of the application will be significantly impacted.

How to Apply for a Delayed Certificate of Birth

1. Before filing a Delayed Certificate of Birth, you must request a certified copy of the birth certificate to confirm that the birth record is not on file. 
2. After you've ordered a certified copy of the birth record, if the birth record is
   • Found, you will receive a certified copy of the record.
   • Not found, Vital Statistics will provide you with forms and instructions to apply for a Delayed Certificate of Birth.
3. To submit a Delayed Certificate of Birth application, you must:
   • Be the registrant or the parent/legal guardian of the minor who is the registrant, or their legal representative.
   • Sign the application in front of a notary and get a notary seal:
     • For children under 15, parent/guardian must sign.
     • For individuals 15 and older, individual must sign.
   • Provide a copy of acceptable identification.
   • Provide a check or money order made out to DSHS Vital Statistics.
   • Provide the required documentation.
   • Be sure to mail your application to the correct location.
4. Supporting documentation must be verified by Vital Statistics staff, sometimes with outside entities.

Age-Based Documentation Requirements

The type and amount of supporting documentation you must provide depends on the age of the individual whose birth you are registering. To find out what supporting documentation you must provide, select the age of the individual whose birth you wish to register from the list below:

• Child between 1–4 years old
• Child between 4–15 years old
• Individual 15 years old or older

Child between 1–4 years old

• A notarized affidavit completed by the parents and the attendant* as to why certificate was not filed within 1 year of birth;
• Copy of acceptable identification for parents and attendant, if any, at birth; and
• Two (2) or more documents that provide:
  • Evidence of pregnancy (prenatal record, statement from physician, etc.)
  • Evidence infant was born alive (statement from physician or healthcare provider, etc.)
  • Evidence birth occurred in Texas (statement from healthcare provider, etc.)
  • Evidence birth occurred on the date stated (medical record, prenatal record, etc.)

Child between 4–15 years old

Two (2) or more documents that meet the following requirements:

• At least one (1) document must show child's name, date of birth, and place of birth.
• At least one (1) document must show parents' names and the child's date and place of birth.*
• At least one (1) document must have been created within 10 years of birth.
• Only one (1) document may be an Affidavit of Birth Facts.

Individual 15 years old and older

Three (3) or more documents that meet the following requirements:

• At least two (2) must show the individual's name, date of birth, and place of birth.
• At least one (1) document must show the individual's name, the parents' names,* and individual's date and place of birth.
• At least one (1) document must have been created within 10 years of birth.
• Any document, other than an affidavit, must be 5 years old or older.
• Only one (1) document may be an Affidavit of Birth Facts.

Acceptable Documents

All documents must be from independent sources. You must present valid, original documents (not photocopies) or certified copies unless otherwise specified below. All originals will be returned after filling is completed. A copy or abstract of a document may be accepted if certified as true and correct by the custodian of the document.

Any supporting document(s) submitted found to be fraudulent will cause immediate denial of application for filing a delayed certificate of birth and those documents will then be retained.

• Birth certificate of individual
• Driver's License/ID from a U.S. state or Driver's License/ID application*
• Military discharge record (DD214)
• Religious record with signature of religious official* (original)
• School enrollment record/transcript
• Selective service record
• Social Security Administration records or application* (Do not send the Social Security card.)
• U.S. Census Bureau records
• Hospital/medical/birthing center record*
• Affidavit of Birth Facts* (sent with the Delayed Birth Registration application) signed in front of a Notary Public by an immediate family member who is at least 10 years older than the individual. (Note: The person who signs the Affidavit must also attach a copy of his/her unexpired government-issued photo ID.)

*Types of documents that might show parent's names.