Qualified applicant

• Self/Registrant (person on record)
• An immediate family member (parents – name of parent must be listed on birth record; grandparents - birth certificate of one of the parents will be required to prove relationship; siblings – birth certificate will be required to prove relationship)
• Spouse (a marriage license will be required)
• Legal Guardian (legal guardianship papers, ie. court order is required)
• Legal Representative or agent (document establishing legal interest required)

Current and Valid Primary Identification is required (must contain the applicant’s name and photograph that establishes the applicant’s identity):

• US Government issued Driver’s License
• US Government issued Identification Card
• Federal, State or City law enforcement employment ID card or employment badge accompanied by employment ID card
• Offender Identification card issued by the Department of Criminal Justice correctional facility or institution
• US Military Identification card
• United States Passport
• US Department of State issued Border Crossing card (Passport Card)
• US Department of State issued Visa
• Government issued Concealed Handgun License
• Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services issued
  • Permanent Resident Card or Resident Alien Card
  • Employment Authorization Documentation (EAD)
  • SENTRI Card
  • Citizen Identification Card

Secondary and supporting documentation may be accepted if a primary identification is not available (ID Requirements).

Note: All identification and supporting documents presented is subject to inspection and approval. The Vital Statistics Registrar retains the right to reject identification deemed unacceptable or insufficient. Due to the numerous possible types of identification and supporting documents the list of acceptable identification is not intended to be all-inclusive. These guidelines are subject to be reviewed and revised without notice.

Apply by mail (Available for out-of-town requests Only)

Processing fee of $5.00 is required for each certified copy of birth or death record requested by Mail.

• Please Print. Include a copy of your Valid Photo Identification and Notarized Proof of Identification form*. VS Mail-In Request English
• Submit a legible and clear photo copy of the qualified applicant’s current/ valid primary identification (color copy preferred). Secondary and supporting documents will not be accepted for mail-in requests.
• Include payment. Acceptable payment methods are by money order or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). To pay by credit card you must include a completed Credit Card Authorization form. Payment will need to include cost of certified copy ($23.00 each), certified mail cost ($7.35), and processing fee ($5.00). See Downloadable Forms links.
• Applications without signature of applicant, photo identification, Notarized Proof of Identification or incorrect payment amount will not be processed.

Effective September 1, 2015 - Senate Bill 200, Article 5 amended Section 191.0031 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC) to state that the state registrar or a local registrar may not issue a certified copy of a record to a person who has applied for the record by mail unless the person has provided notarized proof of identity. In accordance with HSC §191.0031, City of Laredo Vital Statistics Mail-In Request form has been amended to require applicants provide a notarized proof of identity.

Mail original Application, Photo Identification and Payment to:

City of Laredo Health Department
Vital Statistics Office
P.O. Box 2337
Laredo, Texas 78044-2337

Estimated processing time for mail-in requests is two business days from date of receipt.

Optional: Include a self addressed stamped envelope or overnight mail envelope, and the certified mail cost will be waived.

Apply on-line

For Texas vital records (birth and death certificates) you may apply at www.texas.gov, the eGovernment site for the State of Texas. The estimated processing time is 20-25 State business days.  A U.S. government issued current and valid identification is required.

Out of State Birth or Death Records

For information and where to apply for Vital records within the United States, please visit the National Center for Health Statistics website at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm

Amendment to a Birth or Death Certificate

Application to Amend Certificate of Birth Correcting a Birth Certificate (VS170)

The most common change made to a birth certificate is the addition of the father’s name. This change to a certificate can be made by submitting the Correcting a Birth Certificate signed by both parents in the presence of a notary public with one of the following documents:

• Certified copy of a marriage license between the mother and the biological father
• Properly completed State of Texas Acknowledgement of Paternity Form (VS-159.1)-Contact our local office for assistance
• Certified copy of a court decree establishing parentage between the child and the biological father

Application to Amend Death Certificate Correcting a Death Certificate (VS172)

Helpful Links: