Birth and Death Certificates (Vital Records – Located at City Hall)

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Certificates can be ordered in-person at City Hall, online, or by mail order.  Please see information below for each of these ordering methods.

Birth and death certificates are confidential records with restricted access.  As such, you must have proof of identity and be a qualified applicant to obtain any birth or death certificate.

Proof of Identity:  If you do not have a valid state ID or Driver’s License, you must then provide acceptable documents with your name, with at least one that includes your signature. Some examples of acceptable documents include:

• A Social Security Card, court documents, marriage license, divorce decree, high school diploma, voter’s registration card, Medicaid card, passport, car title, school ID, automobile insurance card, US Visa card, utility bill, phone bill, lease contract, school transcripts, immunization record, paycheck stub, electric bill, tax return, hospital records, or a work ID.

Learn about Acceptable Identification at dshs.texas.gov 
Information about Acceptable Identification provided by Texas Health and Human Services (DSHS).

BIRTH CERTIFICATES:

The birth must have occurred in the State of Texas.

• Long-Form: only available to those born in the Corpus Christi city limits with some exceptions.  Accepted for all purposes including passports and immigration.

  • Births that occurred at Riverside Hospital in Robstown, TX before Nov. 1, 1981 or on the Naval Air Base before April 1, 1963 are registered at the Nueces County Courthouse, County Clerk’s Office. For more information: call (361) 888-0580, email filing.cc@nuecescountytx.gov, or visit the Nueces County Courthouse in-person.

• Short-Form: State abstract record available for births in Texas after 1925.  Not acceptable for genealogy, passports, or immigration.

• Visit the State Vital Statistics website for more information on types of certificates. 

Qualified Applicants

Birth certificates are confidential records with restricted access until 75 years after the file date.  Restricted access birth certificates can only be issued to qualified applicants. Proof of relationship or legal interest must be presented for requests by the following:

• Spouse - You must provide an ID showing the same last name as your spouse and a medical or automobile insurance card also showing both names on the card, or marriage license and insurance card in both names.

• Parent - Your name must be on the birth certificate you are requesting.

• Sibling - You must share at least one parent and provide us with a copy of your birth certificate.

• Grandparent - You must provide a copy of your child's birth certificate to show the relationship to the grandchild.

• Child – The parent’s name must be on your birth certificate.

• Legal Guardian – You must provide a certified court order showing legal custody (“conservatorship”).

• Attorneys – must have a bar card and provide a certified copy of a court issued document explicitly demonstrating a need for the record.

Cost  

Certified Birth Certificate: $23

Birth Certificate Search Fee (non-refundable) charged to search for a birth certificate that is not found or is not purchased:  $23

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DEATH CERTIFICATES:

The death must have occurred in Corpus Christi. If not, please contact the city or county where the death occurred.

Qualified Applicants

Death certificates are confidential records with restricted access until 25 years after the file date.  Restricted access death certificates can only be issued to qualified applicants. Proof of relationship or legal interest must be presented for requests by the following:

• Spouse - Your name must be listed as surviving spouse on the death certificate.

• Parent - Your name must be on the birth certificate for your child that passed.

• Sibling - You must share at least one parent and provide us with a copy of your birth certificate for verification that you are siblings.

• Grandparent - You must provide a copy of your child's birth certificate to show the relationship to the grandchild.

• Child - The parent’s name must be on your birth certificate or you are listed as the informant on the death certificate.

• Legal Guardian - You must provide a certified court order showing legal custody (“conservatorship”).

• If you are not an immediate family member, you must be:

  • the informant named on the death certificate;

  • a beneficiary to an insurance policy or other survivor’s benefit and must provide documentation of such;

  • named on the deceased's official will and must provide documentation of such; or

  • an Attorney must have bar card and provide a certified copy of a court issued document explicitly demonstrating need for the record

Cost

When purchased at the same time, the first certified copy of the death certificate is $21 and each additional copy is $4. 

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Order by Mail Form:

Form must be fully completed, notarized and signed. You must include the following with your mailed form:

• A completed Application for Birth or Death Certificate.

• A copy of your valid ID.

• A money order made out to "City of Corpus Christi" for the correct amount.

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Order Online (complete, pay, submit)

***Please read carefully before submitting online payment for a records request***

When requesting a Birth or Death Certificate through the online portal, you MUST email the following identification items to the Vital Records Office (vitalrecords@cctexas.com) after you submit your payment. Requests made with incomplete or missing identification items will not be processed, and no refunds will be given.

Please email the following items to vitalrecords@cctexas.com:  

• A copy of your printed receipt showing your online payment

• The reference number listed on your receipt

• The name of the individual for whom you are requesting a certificate, and your relationship to the person on the certificate (or “self”)

• Reason for request (driver’s license, school, passport, insurance benefits, etc.), and the address where you would like for the record to be mailed

• A copy of your valid Driver’s License or valid ID  (Acceptable Identification (ID) (texas.gov)

• A telephone number in the event we need to contact you for questions

Please ensure that the information you are providing (name, Date of Birth or Death, County/City) is correct prior to submitting your request, as no refunds are available. Requests with incomplete or incorrect information will not be processed.

Please allow up to 2 weeks for orders to be processed and mailed.

Click Here for Online Application and Payment »