Texas County Birth Records Lookup
Texas County birth records are held by the Texas County Health Department in Houston, Missouri, and by the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. The local office provides certified birth certificates for Missouri births from 1920 forward. The state office holds all records from January 1910 on. Both issue legally valid certified copies accepted for passports, courts, and other official uses.
Texas County Quick Facts
Texas County Health Department - Birth Records
The Texas County Health Department in Houston is the local access point for Texas County birth records. The office provides certified copies of Missouri birth certificates for any birth in the state from 1920 to the present. Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours. For records from before 1920, you must contact the Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City.
| Office | Texas County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 402 South First Street Houston, MO 65483 |
| Phone | (417) 967-4131 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, regular business hours |
| Records | Birth certificates, 1920 to present (short form) |
The Texas County vital records directory at CityDirectory.us lists the Texas County Health Department's contact details and confirms that birth certificates are available for Missouri births from 1920 forward.
The directory confirms that the Texas County Health Department at 402 South First Street in Houston is the primary local office for obtaining Texas County birth certificates.
Texas County is a large rural county in south-central Missouri. The county seat of Houston is the main service center for residents seeking vital records. One note about Texas County: the county had lost some records in 1932, and the County Clerk holds early birth and death entries from 1883 to 1893. If you are searching for records from that era, contact both the County Clerk and the State Archives for the best results. For births registered from 1920 forward, the health department is the right starting point.
How to Request Texas County Birth Records
Three paths are available for getting a certified Texas County birth certificate: walk in, mail a notarized request, or order online through VitalChek.
Walk-in requests are the fastest method. Go to 402 South First Street in Houston during regular business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Give staff the name on the certificate, the date of birth, and the city or hospital of birth. Pay the $15 fee. You will receive your certified copy before you leave.
Mail requests require a notarized application. Download the Missouri vital records application from the DHSS website, complete it fully, and have it notarized. Attach a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order for $15 payable to the Texas County Health Department. Mail everything to 402 South First Street, Houston, MO 65483. Allow one to two weeks for processing and return delivery.
Online orders use VitalChek. This is the only state-approved online service for Missouri vital records. VitalChek accepts credit cards and routes your request to the Bureau of Vital Records. A service fee is added to the $15 state fee. Processing takes similar time as a mail request. VitalChek handles records from 1910 forward only.
Who Can Obtain Texas County Birth Records
Missouri law under RSMo 193.245 limits who may receive a certified birth certificate. Eligible requesters are: the person named on the record if age 18 or older, a parent or legal guardian listed on the certificate, a spouse, an adult child or adult sibling of the registrant, or a legal representative with documented authority. A government-issued photo ID is required for all requests.
Genealogists and researchers without a direct family connection can access records that are 100 years old or more. Missouri treats birth records as open to public access after 100 years. Early Texas County records at the County Clerk or State Archives are typically accessible with minimal restrictions. For records under 100 years old, a qualifying relationship must be shown before a certified copy is released.
Note: Only certified copies with a raised seal from the health department or state Bureau are valid for legal use. Genealogy websites may have index information but cannot issue certified documents.
Texas County Birth Certificate Fees
The fee is $15 per certified copy. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $11 each. These fees apply at both the county health department and the state Bureau of Vital Records.
Payment options at the county office typically include cash, check, and money order. Online orders through VitalChek require a credit card and add a service fee. All fees are non-refundable, even when no record is found. Verify the name and birth date before submitting any request with payment.
Fee amounts are set by RSMo 193.265. No county may charge a different rate for certified vital record copies.
State Resources for Texas County Birth Records
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records holds all Missouri birth certificates from January 1910 to the present. Texas County residents who need records from 1910 to 1919, or who want to order through the state, can contact the Bureau directly.
| Office | Missouri Bureau of Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 930 Wildwood Drive Jefferson City, MO 65102 |
| Phone | (573) 751-6387 |
| Records | Birth certificates, January 1910 to present |
The Missouri DHSS vital records page has forms and full instructions for all request methods. The state office issues both short-form and long-form certified copies. The county health department only issues short-form copies. If you need a long-form copy, contact the state directly. The how to obtain a vital record page from DHSS gives step-by-step guidance.
Historical Texas County Birth Records
Missouri's consistent statewide birth registration began in January 1910. Earlier records are found in a few different locations. Texas County had some record loss in 1932, so early records may be incomplete.
The Texas County Clerk holds birth and death registration entries from 1883 to 1893. These early records are not modern certified certificates but can provide names, dates, and parentage information useful for genealogy. For births after 1920, the county health department is the right source. For 1910 to 1919 births, the state Bureau is the only option.
The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City maintains older county records and can help with pre-1910 research. The Missouri Digital Heritage site offers access to some early digitized records online. The CDC's Missouri vital records reference gives context on what records exist and where they are held.
Adoptee Access to Texas County Birth Records
Missouri adult adoptees can request their original birth certificate under RSMo 193.128. Any person age 18 or older adopted in Missouri may apply to the Bureau of Vital Records for their original pre-adoption certificate. Birth parent consent is not required.
Send a written request to the Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Include your full legal name, date of birth, and a copy of your photo ID. The fee is $15. The original certificate shows the name recorded at birth and the biological parents' names as listed at registration. If you have questions about where your Texas County birth record is held, call the Bureau at (573) 751-6387.
Cities in Texas County
Houston is the county seat and largest city in Texas County. Other communities include Cabool, Licking, Roby, and Yukon. None of these communities meet the major city population threshold, so birth records for all Texas County residents are handled through the county health department or the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Texas County. Birth records in each are maintained by the local public health agency for 1920-present records and the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records for all records from 1910 forward.