Contact Information

Estela Von Hatten, City Secretary
1034 E. Levee St.
Brownsville, TX  78520

Telephone: 956.548.6001

Vital Statistics

All births and deaths occuring within the city limits of Brownsville are registered at the City Secretary / Local Registrar and originals are recorded with the Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics in Austin, Texas.

Certificates that were filed after one year of birth / death are considered "delayed" records and can only be obtained at:

Bureau of Vital Statistics
Texas Department of Health
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, Texas 78711-2040
Phone: (888) 963-7111
Cameron County Clerk
964 E. Harrison St - 2nd Floor
Brownsville, Texas 78520
Phone: 956/544-0817

The City Secretary's Office has access to the Austin, Texas on-line information and has the authority to issue an abstract or wallet size birth certificate of any person born in Texas with the exception of delayed records or those flagged by the State office.

A qualified applicant is the person named on the certificate; a member of his or her family, either by blood or marriage, his or her legal guardian, legal representative: 

        • Parents (Padre / Madre)
        • Grandparents (Abuelos)
        • Brother / Sister (Hernano/a)
        • Son / Daughter (Hijo/a)
        • Spouse (Esposo/a) (see below)
        • Legal Guardian (with legal documents) 

NOTE: Aunts, uncles, cousins and godparents are not considered immediate family members. If the father's name is not listed on the birth certificate, he is not considered a valid applicant. If he has a legal guardianship, a court order must be presented along with a valid form of identification.

VALID FORMS OF ID REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A VITAL RECORD 

ALL FORMS OF ID MUST BE CURRENT AND SIGNED, AS APPLICABLE

PRIMARY 
        • Un-expired Driver's License (if out of state, 2 forms of ID must be presented)
        • Un-expired Passport (if presenting a Mexican Passport, a Visa must also be presented validate the document)
        • Visa Laser Card
        • Matricula Consular (Mexican Consulate)
        • Resident Alien Card
        • Un-expired Military ID 

SECONDARY 
  • U.S. Voter Registration Card
  • Social Security Card
  • Clinic or Insurance Card
  • Credit Card (unexpired)
  • Library Card
  • Hunting / Fishing License
  • Employee Photo Badge (currently employed)
  • Student Photo ID (must be currently attending)

The following only applies if applicant is applying for a birth certificate for a child under the age of one year old.
 If applicant does not have primary or secondary ID, the following must be provided: 
  • Certified copy of applicants birth record
  • Unpaid home phone or utility bill that shows your name and address
  • Hospital papers with applicant's name and signature
  • Document mailed to applicant's current address showing their name and address

SPOUSAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Income Tax Return (current and must display both names)
  • Mortgage Payment Statement (current, must display both names)
  • Life Insurance / Car Insurance (current, must display both names)
A MARRIAGE LICENSE IS NOT A VALID FORM OF ID 


IMPORTANT NOTICE:
THERE IS A SEARCH FEE OF $24.00
IF A RECORD IS NOT FOUND, OR NOT AVAILABLE, THE MONEY IS NOT REFUNDABLE. 

ONCE A RECORD OR OTHER INFORMATION IS MAILED TO THE REQUESTOR, 
WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR MISSING MAILED RECORDS. 

PAYMENT METHODS:
CASH, MONEY ORDER, CHECKS (NO OUT OF TOWN / OUT OF STATE CHECKS ALLOWED).



VITAL STATISTICS HOURS:
MONDAY - FRIDAY
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Please contact the City Secretary's Office regarding Vital Records Fees at (956) 548-6001.

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Beatriz Valdez,
Oct 21, 2011 10:08 AM