FAQs • Wichita Falls • CivicEngage

Are birth records open to public inspection?: No. Births are public after 75 years from the date of birth and death is public after 25 years after the date of death. These records are not open for public inspection, but you can purchase them with a valid I.D.

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Health Vital Statistics

1. How do you get a birth certificate if you were born in Wichita Falls?: A birth certificate can be obtained by going to the Health District, located at 1700 3rd Street or by mailing a request to: Wichita Falls Health District,1700 3rd Street Wichita Falls, TX 76301. For questions please call (940) 761-7802. MAP

2. I was born in Texas, but not in Wichita Falls. Can I get my birth certificate here?: Yes, we have access to birth certificates filed with the state Vital Statistics office in Austin, Texas. It is an abstract birth certificate and we can not guarantee it will suffice for a passport. Long form birth certificates can be obtained from the county you were born in.

3. Are birth records open to public inspection?: No. Births are public after 75 years from the date of birth and death is public after 25 years after the date of death. These records are not open for public inspection, but you can purchase them with a valid I.D.

4. What is a certified copy of a Birth or Death Certificate?: An exact copy of the original record, issued on special form paper, as filed with the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Division in Austin, Texas. It also bears the facsimilie signature of the Local/State Registrar.

6. If a mistake (such as spelling of a name) occurs on the original birth certificate, can this be corrected and is there a charge for this correction?: Yes. It may be corrected by completing an "Application to Amend Certificate of Birth" form. There is a fee of $15.00 for this process. If you would like to purchase the amended ceritificate, it adds an extra charge of $22.00. This application is sent to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Division in Austin, Texas, along with the total cost.

7. How do I get my child's father's name on the birth certificate at the time of my child's birth if I am not married.: Both parents will need to sign an "Acknowledgement of Paternity" form. This form can be obtained from the hospital at or before your child's birth.

8. Can this be done after I leave the hospital?: Yes. Contact the local Vital Statistics office and we can have you sign an "Acknowledgement of Paternity" form and the necessary papers to amend the birth certificate. This will add the father's name and change the Surname on the certificate, if necessary. Name and change of Surname on the certificate, if necessary, will incur a fee of $25.00 for this process.

9. How do I file a home birth?: To file a home birth, please call our office to know what you will need to bring with you and to make sure a Home Birth Registrar is present on the day you intend to come in and file.
Office Hours for Home Birth are: 8am-3:30pm Monday-Friday 940-761-7802