Vital Records

Tarrant County residents and former residents rely on Vital Records for foundational documents—birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and records-related services (including assumed names/DBAs and military discharge recordings). This guide walks through who can obtain which records, how and where to request them, what to bring, fees and hours, and practical tips specific to Tarrant County, Texas. You’ll also find clear explanations of long-form vs. abstract certificates, marriage license rules (including waiting periods), and how the County Clerk handles assumed name filings and DD-214 recordings.

Understand the core role of Tarrant County’s Vital Records division

Vital Records operates within the Tarrant County Clerk’s Office. The division registers and issues birth and death certificates for most of the county’s cities and precincts, issues and maintains all marriage licenses countywide, accepts and records assumed name certificates (DBAs) for businesses operating in Tarrant County, and records military discharge (DD214) documents. For service menus and official updates, use the County Clerk’s [Vital Records overview page] to orient yourself before you begin an application and to confirm current procedures and links to forms and fee pages. (See [Vital Records].)

Link: Vital Records

Know what’s confidential, who qualifies to order, and when

Birth and death records: confidentiality and eligibility rules you must meet

Texas law protects birth records for 75 years from the event date and death records for 25 years. During those confidentiality periods, certified copies are issued only to qualified requestors. In Tarrant County, that includes immediate family members (for example, mother, father, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, or child) as well as a legal guardian, a legal representative of the family, or a government agency or organization with a direct tangible need for the record. Bring valid government-issued photo identification—no application can be processed without acceptable ID. See the county’s [Birth and Death Records page] for the eligibility summary and process options (in person, mail, or permitted online ordering).

Link: Birth and Death Records

Birth certificates in Tarrant County: long form vs. abstract and when each is issued

Choose the format that fits your purpose

Tarrant County issues full (long-form) copies when the County Clerk is the custodian of the original. A short-form (abstract) copy summarizes current information such as the registrant’s name, date and place of birth, sex, and parent(s). Abstracts are commonly accepted for many needs, but they may not be suitable for U.S. passport purposes—if you’re applying for a passport or certain immigration benefits, confirm the document type required before you order. The county’s page explains that the federal government may require a certificate from the State Registrar or from the registrar in the city/county of birth; that’s why many travelers opt for a long-form copy when available. Details are in [Birth and Death Records].

If you were born elsewhere in Texas

Texas maintains a statewide remote system managed in Austin (DSHS Vital Statistics). In-person at Tarrant County you may often obtain a Texas birth certificate abstract even if the event occurred in another Texas county. If you need a long form for passport use, confirm the record holder and request accordingly. Guidance is summarized on [Birth and Death Records].

Step-by-step: ordering a birth certificate through Tarrant County

In person at a Vital Records office

Bring your valid government-issued photo ID and complete the application on site. Staff will confirm eligibility, locate the record, and issue a certified copy—long form if Tarrant County is the record holder; abstract if the record is held elsewhere in Texas. Hours for Vital Records counters are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Locations are listed on [Vital Records Locations].

Link: Vital Records Locations

By mail

Mail a completed application, a photocopy of your valid ID, the required fee, and the required notarized sworn statement (self-addressed stamped envelope recommended for return). The county’s [Birth and Death Records] page links the current application forms and provides the fee breakdown.

Fees to expect

Birth certificate copies are $23 per copy. Always verify current prices on the county’s [Fee Schedules] page before you submit payment; the fee page is the official reference for marriage licenses, birth and death records, assumed names, and DD214s.

Link: Fee Schedules

Death certificates: when they’re available and how to request them

Filing timeline and eligibility

The County Clerk cannot issue a certified copy of a death certificate until the funeral home files the record. Once filed, qualified family members (or authorized requestors described earlier) can request certified copies in person, by mail, or, if permitted, through the county’s designated online channel. You must include valid government-issued photo ID with your request. The [Birth and Death Records] page outlines confidentiality and who qualifies.

Fees and multiple copies in the same order

The fee for a death certificate is $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Check [Fee Schedules] to confirm current amounts before mailing a payment.

City-held records that affect availability

Tarrant County Vital Records can issue abstract birth copies and has no access to death records for certain periods in specific cities. If the birth or death occurred in Arlington (births from 1971 to present) or Grapevine (births from 1973 to present), contact the appropriate City Hall for the local record. Tarrant County notes that it can provide an abstract of eligible birth records in statewide systems, but not death records for those city-held periods. You will find those caveats summarized on [Birth and Death Records].

Marriage licenses in Tarrant County: eligibility, timing, and how to apply

Who must appear and what to bring

Both applicants must be 18 or older and must appear in person at a Tarrant County Vital Records location, with valid identification. If one applicant cannot appear, a properly completed and notarized absentee affidavit may be used with the other party applying in person. The County Clerk issues and maintains all marriage licenses for Tarrant County. See the county’s [Marriage Licenses page] for the current application workflow and documentation expectations.

Link: Marriage Licenses

Waiting period and expiration

A marriage license carries a 72-hour waiting period from issuance to ceremony and expires after 90 days if not used—plan your ceremony date accordingly. If you’re using a premarital counseling program that qualifies under Texas law, be sure you have the certificate at the time of application to claim the reduced license fee described on the county’s pages.

Fees and special circumstances

Standard license: Refer to [Fee Schedules] for the current county fee.

With premarital counseling certificate: Reduced amount is available when the certificate is presented.

Non-Texas residents: An additional out-of-state fee applies; see [Vital Records FAQs] for amounts and eligibility notes.

Applicants marrying an incarcerated person: The county outlines the absentee affidavit requirement and in-person ceremony requirements in [Vital Records FAQs].

Links:

Fee Schedules
Vital Records FAQs

Where to have your ceremony

If you don’t have your own officiant, any Vital Records location can provide a list of local options. Tarrant County also points residents to [Justice of the Peace Courts] for information about JPs who perform marriages.

Link: Justice of the Peace Courts

Certified copies of marriage licenses: in person or by mail

If your marriage license was obtained and recorded in Tarrant County, you can request certified copies at any Vital Records location. You’ll need the names of both applicants and the date of marriage. When ordering multiple copies at the same time, the first copy fee applies once and the additional-copy fee applies to the rest (the county has announced adjustments to certified copy pricing for marriage licenses; always verify on [Fee Schedules] before you pay). If requesting by mail, include the applicants’ names, the marriage date, the fee, and a self-addressed, stamped return envelope. See process notes in [Vital Records FAQs].

Assumed Names (DBA) in Tarrant County: how to file and search

Who must file at the county level

An Assumed Name (DBA) should be filed in the county where the business is conducted. Unincorporated businesses file with the County Clerk. Corporations, LLCs, LLPs, LPs, and foreign filing entities file with the Texas Secretary of State; due to HB 3609 (86th Legislature), those entities are no longer required to file in each county where they do business. Tarrant County’s Assumed Names page explains these distinctions and provides forms and instructions.

Signatures, ID, and notarization

Assumed name certificates filed at the county must bear the original signatures of each person listed. If more than one person will be listed, all parties should appear together; otherwise, each signature must be notarized. The County Clerk will acknowledge signatures with valid photo ID (Texas driver’s license or state ID, U.S. Passport, or Military ID).

Search and file online, then appear to finalize if required

Tarrant County encourages applicants to search the county’s assumed name records to avoid conflicts. You can start, save, and submit certain unincorporated assumed name forms online, but applicants must appear in person to sign and pay to finalize filing. The county’s official [online application portal] provides access to searches and the electronic forms.

Link: Online Application (Assumed Name Search)

Filing by mail

You may mail notarized applications with fees (check or money order payable to the County Clerk) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Follow the instructions and fee schedule linked from the county’s assumed names section on the Vital Records hub.

Military Discharge (DD214) recordings: privacy and cost

Tarrant County’s Vital Records division records military discharge (DD214) documents and keeps them confidential for 75 years. Recording is offered at no charge to veterans. Bring valid ID and the DD214; staff will record, index, and protect the record. Details and fee notes (confirming the no-fee status) are available from the Vital Records pages linked above.

“Which office should I visit?”—how Tarrant County organizes Vital Records services

One downtown hub and seven neighborhood counters

The County Clerk provides Vital Records services at the downtown Plaza Building and at seven neighborhood locations across the county. All locations are open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Check the county’s [Vital Records Locations] page for any building-specific instructions (like entrances, parking, or suite numbers) before you go.

Appointments and walk-ins

The county provides appointment options for Vital Records services. While same-day service is often available during business hours, booking an appointment can reduce wait times—especially during peak periods around lunch hours or before county holidays. For address, phone, and hours, use the [Vital Records Locations] page to plan your trip.

Identification requirements: bring the right ID the first time

Vital Records requires a current government-issued photo ID for all certified copies and many filings. Commonly accepted IDs include a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, Military ID, or visa. If you lack acceptable ID, an immediate family member with acceptable ID may obtain the record (subject to eligibility rules). If ID is expired, the county indicates that in some cases an expired ID may be accepted only if paired with another valid, unexpired form of ID—review the state’s acceptable ID rules referenced from the county page and ensure you bring documents that meet the standard described on [Birth and Death Records].

Fees, forms, and hours: verify before you submit

The County Clerk maintains a consolidated [Fee Schedules] page for Vital Records. Always cross-check fees the same day you plan to apply or mail a request, and include correct payment for faster processing. Office counters for Vital Records are open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. County holidays may affect service hours; the [Vital Records overview page] and the [Vital Records Locations] page are your best day-of references.

Special cases and city-specific record custodians

Tarrant County is the registrar for 28 cities and eight precincts, but two city registrars manage portions of their own records:

Arlington: Birth records from 1971 to present are held by the city.
Grapevine: Birth records from 1973 to present are held by the city.

For those periods, Tarrant County provides abstract birth copies via the statewide system (when eligible) but does not have access to the death records for those city-held periods. If you need a long-form birth certificate or a city-held death record in those periods, contact the respective City Hall for their process. These caveats appear in the county’s [Birth and Death Records] guidance.

Marriage planning essentials: timing, officiants, and certified copies

Plan around the 72-hour wait: If your ceremony date is close, account for the mandatory waiting period from license issuance.

Use the 90-day window: The ceremony must occur within 90 days of issuance or the license expires.

Out-of-state applicants: Budget for the additional non-resident fee; the county provides details in [Vital Records FAQs].

After the ceremony: Once your license is returned and recorded, you can request certified copies for name change with Social Security, DMV, and other agencies. See [Marriage Licenses] for process notes and [Fee Schedules] for copy pricing.

Tips to avoid delays for birth and death orders

Match names and dates exactly as recorded: If you’re unsure of the spelling on the original record, bring alternate spellings or prior names.

Bring proper ID (and copies for mail): Orders submitted without acceptable ID or without the required sworn statement cannot be fulfilled.

Decide long vs. abstract in advance: For passports, long-form is often the safest choice when available; for many school or insurance needs, an abstract may suffice.

Confirm eligibility: Only qualified applicants can receive certified copies during confidentiality periods. If you’re obtaining a record on behalf of a family member, bring documentation showing your relationship or authority.

Correcting a record or adding a parent to a birth certificate

Record corrections and adding a birth father to a birth certificate are state-level processes through DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin. Tarrant County locations can provide forms and general guidance, but the formal submission goes to the state. The county’s pages reference the appropriate state resources; obtain the correct DSHS forms and instructions before you file. (Process references appear on [Birth and Death Records] and in [Vital Records FAQs].)

Apostille requests (for use outside the United States)

When a certified birth, death, or marriage document must be used in a foreign country, you’ll typically need an apostille from the Texas Secretary of State. First, obtain your certified copy from Tarrant County; then follow the Secretary of State’s instructions to submit for apostille authentication. The county directs residents to consult the Secretary’s official apostille information and fee list. (See the apostille reference mentioned on [Vital Records FAQs].)

Detailed service-by-service checklists for Tarrant County Vital Records

Birth certificate (in person)

Valid government-issued photo ID

Completed application (available on [Birth and Death Records])

Payment (verify on [Fee Schedules])

Decide if you need long-form (if county is record holder) or abstract; confirm passport needs

Birth certificate (by mail)

Completed application
Photocopy of valid ID
Notarized sworn statement
Payment (correct fee)
Self-addressed stamped envelope

Death certificate (in person or by mail)

Eligibility as an immediate family member or authorized party
Valid ID (copy for mail orders)
Payment (first copy plus additional copies in the same order if needed)
Confirm the record has been filed by the funeral home before applying

Marriage license (apply in person)

Both applicants (18+) present with valid ID (or one applicant plus a properly notarized absentee affidavit)

Payment of the current license fee; bring premarital counseling certificate to claim any state-authorized discount

Plan around the 72-hour waiting period and 90-day expiration

Certified copy of marriage license (Tarrant-issued)

Names of both applicants and date of marriage
Payment for first and additional copies
Request at any Vital Records counter or by mail per county instructions

Assumed Name (DBA)

Determine entity type and filing office (county for unincorporated businesses; Secretary of State for many entity types)

Original signatures for each person listed; appear together or have notarized signatures

Search name availability via the county’s [online application portal]

File in person (and pay), or mail notarized forms with fee and a return envelope

DD214 military discharge recording

Original DD214
Valid ID
No recording fee; record remains confidential for 75 years

Hours of operation and planning your visit

All Vital Records counters operate Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. The [Vital Records Locations] page shows the precise address, suite number (where applicable), and building notes like parking locations and entrance instructions for the downtown Plaza Building (west-side entrance off Burnett Street, fee-based parking off W. 2nd Street, or meters on Burnett Street). When timing is tight—such as before international travel or a ceremony date—arrive early, use the correct forms, and verify fees on [Fee Schedules] to help ensure same-day service.

Vital Records offices: addresses and phone numbers

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

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

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

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

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

Arlington Subcourthouse — 700 E. Abram St, Suite 101, Arlington, Texas 76010 — 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

Tarrant County Vital Records FAQs

Who can get a birth or death certificate, and what ID is required?

Certificates are released to eligible requestors only—typically immediate family (parent, child, sibling, grandparent), legal guardians, or a legal representative with a direct tangible need. Birth records remain confidential for 75 years; death records for 25 years. Bring a current government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or visa. If you lack acceptable ID, an immediate family member with proper ID may apply on your behalf.

How much do certified copies cost, and where do I see all fees?

County-set fees include $23 per birth certificate; death certificates are $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional ordered at the same time. Certified copies of marriage licenses are $21 for the first and $11 for each additional (effective Sept. 1, 2024).

Do I need an appointment, and what are the hours?

Walk-in service is available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., at multiple offices across the county. To cut wait time, you can book an appointment online—choose “Vitals” as your service and follow the prompts on the county’s official scheduling portal (“Tarrant County Clerk Appointment”).

Can I order records online, by mail, or if I live out of county?

Yes. You can apply in person, by mail (with ID copies and any required sworn statements), or online through the County Clerk’s only approved partner linked from the county website. Out-of-county Texas births can be issued as abstracts via the state system; note that abstract copies may not be accepted for passports.

What should I know about marriage licenses and timelines?

Both applicants must be 18 and appear in person (or one with a notarized absentee affidavit). Standard fees apply, with a reduced fee if you provide a verified premarital counseling certificate; non-Texas residents pay an additional out-of-state fee. A 72-hour waiting period applies, and the ceremony must occur within 90 days of issuance.