Vital Statistics
Vital statistics includes the issuing of marriage licenses, recording of birth and death certificates, and issuing certified copies of the same. To obtain a copy of birth and death certificates, an application must be completed. The County Clerk is closely supported by the Texas Department of State Health Services / Vital Statistics Unit in Austin, Texas. View out-of-state vital statistic information.

Control of Birth & Death Records
In 1987, the legislature closed birth and death records to public inspection and placed them under the control of the Department of Health or local registration officials with the following exceptions:

• A birth record becomes public information and is available for public viewing on and after the 75th anniversary of the date of birth as shown on the record filed with the Texas Department of Vital Statistics Unit or local registration official.

• A death record becomes public information and available to the public on and after the 25th anniversary of the date of death as shown on record filed with the Texas Department of Vital Statistics Unit or local registration official.

Formal Requirements For Marriage License
A man and a woman desiring to enter into a ceremonial marriage must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk of any county of this state.

Informal Requirements For Marriage License
To obtain an informal marriage, a man and woman must agree to be married, live together in this state as husband and wife, and represent to others that they are married.