Birth and Death Certificates
For births within the past 75 years and deaths within the past 25 years, only the immediate family members of the person whose name is on the birth or death certificate are eligible to request a copy. The Dallas County Clerk’s office can provide records for births and death that were filed in all cities in Dallas County except the City of Dallas.
You may contact the City of Dallas for birth and death records that were filed in the city limits of Dallas from April 1983 to the present. Please visit www.DallasVitalStatistics.com or dial (214) 670-3248 for additional information.
You may contact the Vital Statistics Section (VSS) in Austin for all vital records that were filed in the state of Texas from 1903 to the present, including, birth and death certificates, marriage applications since 1966, and divorce records since 1968. Please visit https://dshs.texas.gov/vs/ or dial (888) 963-7111 for additional information.
The person named on the vital record, his/her immediate family members (either by blood, marriage, or adoption), his/her guardian, or his/her legal agent/representative can request a certified copy of that vital record. For birth
An immediate family member is defined as any of the following:
All other applicants must provide legal documentation (such as a court order establishing guardianship, an insurance policy listing the applicant as the beneficiary, etc.) that documents a direct, tangible interest in the birth or death certificate.
For full details, see Section 181.1(21) of the Texas Administrative Code.
You may contact the City of Dallas for birth and death records that were filed in the city limits of Dallas from April 1983 to the present. Please visit www.DallasVitalStatistics.com or dial (214) 670-3248 for additional information.
You may contact the Vital Statistics Section (VSS) in Austin for all vital records that were filed in the state of Texas from 1903 to the present, including, birth and death certificates, marriage applications since 1966, and divorce records since 1968. Please visit https://dshs.texas.gov/vs/ or dial (888) 963-7111 for additional information.
The person named on the vital record, his/her immediate family members (either by blood, marriage, or adoption), his/her guardian, or his/her legal agent/representative can request a certified copy of that vital record. For birth
An immediate family member is defined as any of the following:
- child
- parent/guardian
- brother/sister
- grandparent
- spouse
All other applicants must provide legal documentation (such as a court order establishing guardianship, an insurance policy listing the applicant as the beneficiary, etc.) that documents a direct, tangible interest in the birth or death certificate.
For full details, see Section 181.1(21) of the Texas Administrative Code.
The Dallas County Clerk’s office cannot release any information without an application, payment, and acceptable ID submitted by a qualified applicant. Dallas County can issue a birth or death verification letter stating whether a record of birth is on file with the State of Texas with a written request. If a record is filed, the verification letter will include the person's name, the date of birth, and the county where the birth occurred. Verification letters are available for births and deaths that have occurred in Dallas County jurisdiction only. Verification letters are not considered legal substitutes for certified copies of birth or death certificates. The County Clerk’s office strongly recommends that applicants ensure a verification will satisfy its intended use.
To get a copy of your birth certificate from the Dallas County Clerk’s office, you must have been born in the state of Texas. You may order by mail or in person.
By mail, you must:
In-person, you must:
By mail, you must:
- Be a person qualified to get a certified copy of the record.
- Complete the application.
- Fill out a proof of identification for sign in front of a notary and get a notary seal.
- Provide a photocopy of acceptable ID.
- Provide a check or money order made out to the Dallas County Clerk.
- Be sure to mail your application to the correct address.
In-person, you must:
- Be a person qualified to get a certified copy of the record.
- Visit a local office during business hours.
- Complete and sign the application, with no cross outs, no white out, and no correction tape.
- Present original acceptable ID.
- Provide payment with a credit card or a check/money order made out to the Dallas County Clerk
A long form birth certificate is the most comprehensive certified 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. A long form birth certificate are often required to obtain:
A short form or certified abstract of the birth record will only show current information for the individual’s name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and name of parent(s). This form will not show a history of corrections. A short form birth certificate can be used for:
- U.S. Passport
- Dual citizenship
- Driver license
A short form or certified abstract of the birth record will only show current information for the individual’s name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and name of parent(s). This form will not show a history of corrections. A short form birth certificate can be used for:
- School and/or sports registration
- Employment requirements
- Driver license
The persons qualified to request changes or corrections to a birth record is listed below. (You must also provide Supporting Documentation for the change or correction you are requesting.)
Only the following individuals can request changes or corrections to a birth record:
All changes/correction must be processed through DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin Texas. Please visit https://dshs.texas.gov/vs/ or dial (888) 963-7111 for additional information.
Only the following individuals can request changes or corrections to a birth record:
- self (the child listed on the birth certificate)
- parent(s)
- legal guardian(s)
- managing conservator
- legal representative (proof required)
All changes/correction must be processed through DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin Texas. Please visit https://dshs.texas.gov/vs/ or dial (888) 963-7111 for additional information.
To get a copy of a death certificate from the Dallas County Clerk’s office, you must be a qualifying applicant. You may order by mail or in person.
By mail, you must:
In-person, you must:
By mail, you must:
- Be a person qualified to get a certified copy of the record.
- Complete the application.
- Fill out a proof of identification for sign in front of a notary and get a notary seal.
- Provide a photocopy of acceptable ID.
- Provide a check or money order made out to the Dallas County Clerk.
- Be sure to mail your application to the correct address.
In-person, you must:
- Be a person qualified to get a certified copy of the record.
- Visit a local office during business hours.
- Complete and sign the application.
- Present original acceptable ID.
- Provide payment with a credit card or a check/money order made out to the Dallas County Clerk.
The persons qualified to request changes or corrections to a death record is listed below. (You must also provide Supporting Documentation for the change or correction you are requesting.)
Only the following individuals can request changes or corrections to a birth record:
All changes/correction must be processed through DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin Texas. Please visit https://dshs.texas.gov/vs/ or dial (888) 963-7111 for additional information.
Only the following individuals can request changes or corrections to a birth record:
- Funeral director named on the death certificate
- Informant name on the death certificate (i.e. the person who provided information to the funeral director)
- Surviving spouse named on the death certificate
- Surviving parent named on the death certificate
All changes/correction must be processed through DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin Texas. Please visit https://dshs.texas.gov/vs/ or dial (888) 963-7111 for additional information.
Marriage Licenses
Both parties will have to be present to purchase a new marriage license.
- A marriage license application must be completed online and a marriage license appointment must be scheduled.
- On the appointment day a photocopy of acceptable ID must be provided.
- A deputy clerk will review the marriage application as well as provide simple marriage formalities
- Marriage license application is double checked by the couple as well as signed.
- Acceptable form of payment is cash, credit card or money order made payable to the Dallas County Clerk
- A formal marriage license is when you sign a written declaration of marriage. A wedding or marriage ceremony is performed by a religious or civil authority with the usual or customary ceremony or formalities.
- An informal marriage license also known as a common-law marriage is when you and another person agree to be married , thereafter live together as spouses, and represent to others that you are married. Informal means that the marriage is created without the formalities of a marriage ceremony.
Both parties will have to be present to purchase a new marriage license.
- Complete an online application as well as schedule an appointment online.
- On the appointment day, sit in front of a deputy clerk to review marriage formalities and sign application.
- Provide a photocopy of acceptable ID.
- Provide payment with cash, credit card or cashier’s check/money order made out to the Dallas County Clerk.
Marriage license copies may be purchased by mail or in person.
- To purchase a marriage license copy by mail, an application may be printed off our website and mailed to our office with the appropriate payment.
- To purchase a marriage license copy in person, an application may be printed off our website and brought to our office, submitted online (provide the order number in person) or filled out in our office.
- Provide payment with cash, credit card or cashier’s check/money order made out to the Dallas County Clerk.
- Both parties must appear before the county clerk;
- Submit proof of identity and age;
- Provide information applicable to each person for which space is provided
- Mark the appropriate boxes provided in the application and;
- Take the oath printed on the application and sign before the county clerk.
- Driver's license or identification card issued by this state or another state;
- United States passport;
- A current passport issued by a foreign country;
- An original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a Bureau of Vital Statistic for a state or a foreign government (printed within the last 10 years). Must present a valid form of government issued ID; or
- Military ID card
- Forms of identification cannot be damaged (Ex. torn, taped together, or laminated).
The cost of a marriage license is $81.00.
"To receive your marriage license at a lesser rate, all couples will have to purchase their marriage license from the downtown office. The Twogether in Texas certificate must be presented to the clerk at the time of purchasing the marriage license.
For more information please click on the following link to search for marriage education services in your area www.bethechampion.org. Spanish web site:
"To receive your marriage license at a lesser rate, all couples will have to purchase their marriage license from the downtown office. The Twogether in Texas certificate must be presented to the clerk at the time of purchasing the marriage license.
For more information please click on the following link to search for marriage education services in your area www.bethechampion.org. Spanish web site:
No personal checks are accepted.
Please make money orders, cashier's checks and business checks out to John F. Warren, Dallas County Clerk.
- Cash
- Money order
- Cashier’s check
- Business checks
Please make money orders, cashier's checks and business checks out to John F. Warren, Dallas County Clerk.
- Credit/Debit cards
A marriage license expires 90 days after the date the license is issued.
- A licensed or ordained Christian Minister or Priest;
- A Jewish Rabbi;
- A person who is an officer of a religious organization and who is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony; and
- a justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of criminal appeals, justice of the courts of appeals, judge of the district, county, and probate courts, judge of the county courts at law, judge of the courts of domestic relations, judge of the juvenile courts, retired justice or judge of those courts, justice of the peace, retired justice of the peace, judge of a municipal court, retired judge of a municipal court, or judge or magistrate of a federal court of this state; and a retired judge or magistrate of federal court of this state.
After you have purchased your marriage license, state law requires 72-hours before the ceremony takes place to get married, unless you obtain a waiver from a district judge. The marriage license expires 90 days before it was issued. If a marriage ceremony has not occurred within that 90 day period the license is void. The couple will have to obtain a new license.
The person who conducts a marriage ceremony shall record on the license the date and the County in which the ceremony is performed and the person's name, subscribe in the license, and return the license to the County Clerk who issued the license no later than the 30th day after the date the ceremony is conducted.
- Both parties must appear before the county clerk;
- Submit proof of identity and age;
- Provide information applicable to that person for which space is provided
- Mark the appropriate boxes provided in the application and;
- Take the oath printed on the application and sign before the county clerk.
A marriage license issued in the State of Texas can be used for ceremonies in other States. Please contact your out-of-state officiate before applying for a State of Texas marriage license. Please keep in mind your license will only be recorded in the County and State in which you applied.
Both bride and groom must be in full compliance with the following information or the application will be denied.
Click here for the Absent Applicant Affidavit Application.
- Applicants using an absent applicant affidavit must be present for the ceremony unless; the absent applicant is a member of the armed forces of the United States stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation; and unable to attend the ceremony.
- Information for an absent applicant affidavit can only be completed by the absent applicant.
- ALL AFFIDAVIT'S MUST BE NOTARIZED
- This application is not available for an informal marriage license (Common Law).
- The affidavit will be denied if any of the questions are not answered or if affidavit is not notarized.
- Documents with white out or mark outs will not be accepted.
- Please print or type all requested information in blue or black ink.
- The absentee applicant must return the original completed affidavit directly to the person they wish to marry.
- The absent applicant must provide a valid photocopy of an acceptable government issued identification card.
- Valid driver's license,
- Valid passport,
- Valid state issued ID card,
- Valid military ID card, or
- Certified birth certificate printed within the last 10 years along with a valid photo ID.
- The individual appointed as proxy must be present when purchasing the marriage license.
Click here for the Absent Applicant Affidavit Application.
An acceptable form of identification for all parties that states the correct name and date of birth, this may include any of the following:
NOTE: The ID for the absent applicant must be a legible photocopy. The ID for the parties appearing before the clerk must be original.
An absent applicant affidavit expires 30 days from the date of signature. If any changes or corrections are made after the absent applicant has signed the application a new application is required.
- Valid driver's license,
- Valid passport,
- State issued ID card,
- Military ID card or,
- Certified copy of birth certificate and valid photo ID
NOTE: The ID for the absent applicant must be a legible photocopy. The ID for the parties appearing before the clerk must be original.
An absent applicant affidavit expires 30 days from the date of signature. If any changes or corrections are made after the absent applicant has signed the application a new application is required.
You may only obtain a certified copy of a marriage license at our Downtown office.
Unfortunately, we are not currently accepting requests online or via email. All request can only be submitted in person or via mail. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The cost per copy is $10.00.
If requesting in person, you will receive the copy once you have completed your request. If requesting by mail, due to high volume, please allow 6 to 8 weeks to receive your requested information.
When requesting by mail, please use a money order payable to John F. Warren, Dallas County Clerk. DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE MAIL.
A NON-REFUNDABLE SEARCH FEE OF $10 WILL APPLY FOR ALL SEARCHES AND OR COPIES IF A MARRIAGE LICENSE IS NOT FOUND.
Click here for the Copy of Marriage License Request Form.
Unfortunately, we are not currently accepting requests online or via email. All request can only be submitted in person or via mail. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The cost per copy is $10.00.
If requesting in person, you will receive the copy once you have completed your request. If requesting by mail, due to high volume, please allow 6 to 8 weeks to receive your requested information.
When requesting by mail, please use a money order payable to John F. Warren, Dallas County Clerk. DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE MAIL.
A NON-REFUNDABLE SEARCH FEE OF $10 WILL APPLY FOR ALL SEARCHES AND OR COPIES IF A MARRIAGE LICENSE IS NOT FOUND.
Click here for the Copy of Marriage License Request Form.
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