The Texas Vital Statistics Adoption Team works with attorneys and district clerks to process adoptions in Texas. If you are an attorney or district clerk and need a sample adoption-related document, click here for our list of forms.

Click here for frequently asked questions related to adoption. Please note that because each situation is different, every application must be reviewed by a specialist to determine whether it is acceptable. If the application is determined to not be acceptable, you will be contacted with additional instructions, which will increase the processing time.

Adult Adoptee Information

The Texas Health and Safety Code § 192.008(f) states that adult adoptees who were born in Texas, and subsequently adopted, can obtain a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate.

If you wish to obtain a non-certified copy of your original birth certificate, you must be able to meet all of the following criteria:

Identify the name of each parent listed on your original birth certificate,

Be at least 18 years old,

Submit a copy of a valid photo ID issued by a government entity, and

Provide other legal documentation if your name has changed due to marriage or other legal reasons. (Examples of legal documentation include copies of your official supplementary birth certificate based on the adoption, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change.)

Please complete the Application for Non-Certified Copy of Original Birth Certificate form (Word 50K) and mail it to the following address along with a copy of a valid photo ID issued by a government entity and a $10 check or money order, payable to DSHS, to:

Department of State Health Services
Texas Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

Requests for non-certified copies of original birth certificates take 6-8 weeks to process.

Click here for the form in Word (50K).

External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to people with disabilities.

Click here for information on viewing files.

Last Updated May 16, 2007