Vital Records

Getting a certified birth certificate for a new job, replacing a lost marriage license copy, recording a military discharge, or filing a business name can feel like a maze when you’re busy and just need the right document fast. This guide breaks down how Tarrant County Texas residents can access vital records the straightforward way, what to bring, how fees work, which request paths fit different situations, and where to go in person across the county.

Start strong with Tarrant County Texas Vital Records and pick the right service

When people search “Tarrant County TX Vital Records,” they usually want one of four things:

A certified birth certificate or death certificate
A marriage license (to get married) or a marriage record copy (to prove you’re married)
An assumed name/DBA filing for a business name
A recorded military discharge (DD214) or a certified copy for qualified requestors

The easiest way to orient yourself is to begin on the official county page for services and pathways: Vital Records. From there, you can jump directly into the exact record type you need, confirm office hours, and decide whether in-person, mail, or other options make the most sense.

Know who handles what so you don’t waste a trip

A common frustration is showing up at the right building for the wrong record. In Tarrant County, the County Clerk’s Vital Records function handles key life-event records like births, deaths, and marriages that fall under its authority, plus additional services like assumed names and military discharge recording. Some related records (like divorces) are handled through other county offices, so it helps to identify the category early and stay in the Vital Records lane unless your request clearly belongs elsewhere.

Use the official Vital Records offices across the county to save time

Tarrant County provides vital records services at the downtown location and neighborhood offices, which can be a big deal if you’re trying to avoid long drives or fit a visit into a lunch break. Before heading out, check the official list of office addresses and hours on Vital Records Locations.

Office hours you can plan around

The published standard hours for vital records offices are:

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you’re on a tight schedule, arriving earlier in the day often gives you more flexibility if you need to correct paperwork, locate missing details, or step aside to print a document.

Make appointments when you want a more predictable visit

Appointments are available at the county’s Vital Records offices. If your goal is a smoother, more time-certain trip—especially when your calendar is packed—booking ahead can reduce the “how long will this take?” guesswork.

Request birth certificates without getting tripped up by eligibility rules

Birth certificates are among the most requested items tied to “Tarrant County TX Vital Records,” but they’re also the most likely to be delayed by ID issues or qualification misunderstandings.

Understand confidentiality and who can request

Birth records are confidential for 75 years from the date of the event. Certified copies are typically issued to immediate family members and other qualified individuals or agencies with a direct tangible need.

If you’re trying to request someone else’s birth certificate, don’t assume a family relationship automatically qualifies you. The county’s rules distinguish between who may request and what proof may be required.

Choose the right type: full copy vs. abstract copy

Tarrant County issues birth certificates as:

Full copies (generally when the County Clerk is the holder of the record)

Abstract copies for certain out-of-county situations (which may not work for every purpose)

If you’re applying for a passport or dealing with federal requirements, it’s smart to confirm the certificate format is acceptable for your specific use case before you submit your request.

Prepare your identification the right way

A valid, current government-issued photo ID is required for a certified copy. Common examples include:

Driver’s license
State ID
United States passport
Military ID
Visa (when applicable)

If you want the clearest official guidance on acceptable ID—and to avoid getting turned away—review the state’s standards at Acceptable ID page.

Know the fee so you can budget accurately

The published fee for a certified copy of a birth certificate is:

$23 per copy

That number matters because many people discover late in the process they need multiple copies (for school, insurance, HR onboarding, benefits, or travel documentation). If you suspect you’ll need more than one certified copy, it’s often easier to request what you need at the same time rather than repeating the process later.

Handle special city-held records before you apply

Some births and deaths are held by specific city registrars during certain date ranges. For example, the county guidance notes that for some records you may need to contact the appropriate City Hall if the event occurred within specified dates for certain cities. If your birth was registered under a city-held system, the county may be limited in what it can provide.

For the county’s official process details, including applications and key rules, use Birth and Death Records.

Secure death certificates while avoiding the most common timing issues

Death certificates can be urgent—insurance, banking, probate, and benefits often require them—and timing matters more than many people expect.

Plan around confidentiality and eligibility

Death records are confidential for 25 years from the date of the event. Certified copies are generally available to immediate family members and other qualified requestors under the county’s rules.

Don’t submit too early: filing must occur first

A key detail that can slow things down: the County Clerk’s office cannot issue a certified copy of a death record until the funeral home has filed the record with the office. If you’re requesting soon after a death, it’s worth confirming that filing has occurred before you invest time in paperwork or travel.

Fees for death certificate copies

The county’s published fees are:

$21 for the first copy
$4 for each additional copy when purchased at the same time

This pricing structure is important if you know you’ll need multiple originals for different institutions. Ordering additional copies in the same transaction can be more efficient and is typically easier than placing separate requests later.

Get a marriage license and stay ahead of waiting periods and deadlines

Marriage services drive a big portion of searches for “Tarrant County TX Vital Records,” especially for couples trying to line everything up before a ceremony date.

Keep the basics simple: age, ID, names, and Social Security numbers

For a marriage license, the county requirements include:

Both applicants must generally be at least 18 years of age
A valid government-issued photo ID is required
Names will be reflected exactly as shown on IDs
Social Security numbers must be provided (as required)

Because the county won’t change name spelling from your ID, it’s smart to check your ID for accuracy before your appointment—especially if you’ve recently updated documents or have a name that’s often misspelled.

Respect the 72-hour waiting period and the 90-day window

Two timing rules cause the most last-minute panic:

There is a 72-hour waiting period after issuance before the ceremony can take place (with limited waiver situations).

The marriage ceremony must occur within 90 days from the date of issuance.

If you’re planning a weekend wedding, don’t wait until midweek to start the process. A little calendar math upfront saves stress.

Understand fees and out-of-state applicant costs

The county’s published marriage license fee structure includes:

A standard fee of $76

A reduced fee of $16 for couples who meet the counseling/certificate requirements

An additional $100 Out-of-State Applicant fee if neither applicant can prove Texas residency (with specific acceptable proofs)

You’ll want to know which category you fall into before you show up, especially if you’re planning your budget or coordinating documents between two households.

Use remote options when you can’t come in person

The county offers remote marriage licensing via video conference for formal marriage license applicants. This can be a practical option when travel, work schedules, or mobility issues make in-person visits difficult. Start from the county’s official marriage license page so you follow the correct steps and technical requirements: Marriage Licenses.

Certified marriage record copies and fee changes you should know

People often realize they need a certified marriage license copy after the wedding—for insurance enrollment, name change steps, benefits, or financial paperwork. The county notes a fee update effective September 1, 2024:

$21 for the first copy
$11 for each additional copy

If you’re ordering copies, that “additional copy” pricing can be helpful when multiple institutions need originals.

Cut through confusion by checking the official fee schedule first

One of the fastest ways to avoid a stalled request is to confirm the current fee for your exact record type and request method. Tarrant County provides a consolidated fee resource covering marriage licenses, birth and death records, assumed names, and military discharge-related processes. Review the official list at Vital Records Fee Schedule.

Why this matters in real life

Fees aren’t just a number—they can determine whether your request is processed or returned. Common payment-related problems include:

Sending the wrong amount by mail
Forgetting to account for additional copies
Mixing up fees between record types (birth vs. death vs. marriage copies)

Checking the fee schedule before submitting helps you avoid a do-over.

File an assumed name the right way so your business name is actually on record

If your search for “Tarrant County TX Vital Records” is business-related, you’re probably looking for assumed name/DBA filing details. The county guidance emphasizes practical rules that many first-time filers miss.

Keep signatures and notarization rules front and center

Assumed name certificates at the county level require:

Original signatures for each person listed

All parties present at the same time unless signatures are notarized

Proper signing authority when the applicant is not an individual (officer, general partner, member, manager, representative, or authorized attorney in fact)

If you’re trying to file for multiple owners who can’t all appear together, plan on notarization so you don’t get stuck rescheduling.

File each name separately if you use more than one

If you plan to operate under multiple assumed names, each name must be filed separately. That detail matters if you’re launching multiple brands, running different service lines, or testing a new name before a full rebrand.

Know when county filing is no longer required for certain entities

For some business entity types, assumed name filing rules changed under state law, shifting filing obligations away from county offices in particular circumstances. If you’re filing on behalf of a corporation or similar entity, confirm which filing path applies before you prepare paperwork or fees.

Record a military discharge and protect your privacy while doing it

Veterans and families often need a DD214 for benefits, burial arrangements, or verification. Tarrant County supports recording military discharge documents while emphasizing confidentiality.

Get the key protections: no charge and long confidentiality

The county’s guidance highlights that:

Recording and keeping a military discharge record (DD214) is provided at no charge for veterans

Military discharge records are confidential for 75 years under applicable law, depending on when filed/recorded

File downtown or at a neighborhood office

DD214s can be filed at the Plaza Building or any subcourthouse location. The original is returned at the time of filing, which is important if you’re safeguarding your only copy.

Handle mail requests like a pro so they don’t bounce back

When you can’t visit in person, mail requests can work well—but only if you build your packet carefully.

A clean mail packet usually includes

Depending on record type and your situation, the county guidance commonly points to:

A completed application (correct form for the record type)
A copy of valid identification
Any required sworn statement or notarized documentation
A self-addressed, stamped envelope (when required)
Correct payment amount using the approved method

If you’re mailing assumed name filings, the county provides a specific mailing address for that service (see the contact section at the end of this article).

Avoid the most common mail-request mistakes

Submitting an application that’s missing a signature
Sending a photocopy of an expired ID without a second acceptable ID when required
Requesting a record you’re not qualified to receive
Forgetting the return envelope or required notarization

A quick double-check before mailing can prevent weeks of delay.

Vital Records relevant departments, addresses and phone numbers

Tarrant County Plaza Building — 200 Taylor Street, 3rd Floor, Fort Worth, Texas 76196-2000 — 817-884-1550

Arlington Subcourthouse — 700 E. Abram St., Suite 101, Arlington, Texas 76010 — 817-884-1550

Charles F. Griffin Building — 3212 Miller Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76105 — 817-884-1550

Gary Fickes Northeast Subcourthouse — 645 Grapevine Hwy, Suite 120, Hurst, Texas 76054 — 817-884-1550

Mansfield Subcourthouse — 1100 E. Broad Street, Suite 102, Mansfield, Texas 76063 — 817-884-1550

Southlake Town Hall — 1400 Main, Suite 140, Southlake, Texas 76092 — 817-884-1550

J.D. Johnson Northwest Subcourthouse — 6713 Telephone Road, Suite 202, Lake Worth, Texas 76135 — 817-884-1550

Dionne Phillips Bagsby Southwest Subcourthouse — 6551 Granbury Road, Suite 110, Fort Worth, Texas 76133 — 817-884-1550

Tarrant County Clerk, Assumed Names — 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301, Fort Worth, Texas 76196 — 817-884-1550

Tarrant County Vital Records FAQs

How do I order a certified birth or death certificate in Tarrant County?

You can request certified birth and death certificates in person, by mail, or online through the County Clerk’s Vital Records Division. Start by completing the county application and be ready to show a current government-issued photo ID. Birth certificates are $23 per copy. Death certificates are $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy when purchased at the same time. For the official starting point, use the county’s Birth and Death Records page.

Who can legally get a certified copy, and what ID do I need?

Tarrant County issues birth and death certificates to immediate family members and certain qualified requestors (like a legal guardian or someone with a direct tangible need). You’ll need an acceptable photo ID—examples listed by the county include a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, visa. If your ID is expired, it may be accepted only in some situations when paired with another non-expired ID; check the state rules on the Acceptable ID page.

Why does the county say they can only issue an abstract for some cities?

For some records, the city registrar holds the official record for certain years. The county notes that if the event occurred in specific cities during listed date ranges (like Arlington births from 1971 to present, Grapevine births from 1973 to present), Tarrant County may only be able to provide an abstract copy (and may not have access to those cities’ death records). If you’re unsure whether your record is city-held or county-held, use the guidance on the Birth and Death Records page before you apply.

How do marriage licenses work here, and what are the big timing rules?

Tarrant County issues and maintains marriage licenses, and there’s typically a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can happen (with limited exceptions). The ceremony must occur within 90 days of issuance. The county also offers a virtual option for formal marriage licenses (video conference) if you can’t come in person; details and requirements live on the Marriage Licenses page.