Birth & Death Records/Vital Statistics

Welcome to the Texarkana Texas Vital Statistics Office


This office provides birth and death records as a service for our residents. Customers can walk-in for same day service, drop-off an application, mail-in an application, or order online at  https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/. For applications that are dropped off, staff will call or email when the certificate is ready for pick-up.

If you have any questions, call the Vital Statistics office at (903) 798.3910 and staff will be happy to assist. Information and application packets are available at City Hall.

To obtain a same-day short form Texas birth certificate in-person, you can receive one at this office or the Bowie County Clerk’s Office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday at 710 James Bowie Dr. New Boston, Texas. The county's office is closed each weekday from noon to 1:00 p.m.


City Of Texarkana (R3)


General Information

  • Birth certificates are generally available 10 business days after the birth or death occurs.
  • In order to fill a request, an application sufficiently identifying the record, a valid ID, signature, date of request and appropriate fees are required. Some applicants may need more documentation.
  • Due to changing state laws, a county or city issued birth certificate may not be accepted in some states. If your state of residence requires a state issued birth certificate, you can order from the State of Texas at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/

Birth Certificates:  Application (PDF)    Spanish (PDF)    Substitute (PDF)

  • Texarkana, Texas, Wake Village or Nash birth certificate holders will receive the long form which is the most widely accepted record. This record will also display corrections that have been made to the birth certificate. The Passport Office and some cruise lines require the long form.
  • All other Texas birth certificate holders can obtain the abstract form which will work for everything except leaving the United States. To obtain the long form, you can contact either the city or county where you were born, or the State of Texas at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/
  • To obtain a Native American Roll Number, you must order your certificate from the State of Texas at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/
  • Certified Birth Certificate, long or short form $23
    Large Poly Sleeve for certificate $3

Death Certificates:   Application (PDF)    Spanish (PDF)    Substitute (PDF)

  • Texarkana, Texas, Wake Village, or Nash deaths only
  • For all other Texas death certificates, contact the city or county where the decedent died, or the State of Texas at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/

Certified Death Certificate $21
Each additional Death Certificate ordered of the same record at the same time $4
Large Poly Sleeve for certificate $3

Birth and Death Online Orders  

  • Order all Texas birth and death records at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/
  • A photocopy of a valid U.S. issued ID, your signature, and date are required for each order
  • Certified Birth Certificate - $23
  • Certified Death Certificate - $21
  • Paying in person by credit or debit card will add a $2.50 processing fee.

Mail-In Orders

  • Please allow 10 to 14 business days for mail-in orders to be processed
  • Mail-in applications must be notarized
  • Shipping and Handling for mail $2

Mail Applications to: Vital Statistics, 220 Texas Blvd., Texarkana, TX 75501

Make Checks Payable to: City of Texarkana, Texas

Changes to Birth or Death Certificates

  • ALL changes are made by Texas Dept. of State Health Services by using the following forms: VS-170 Correcting a Birth Certificate or VS-172 Correcting a Death Certificate.
  • These forms will include full instructions, a list of required documents and fees associated with the request.
  • Changes could include: spelling or date errors, legal name changes, adding, removing, or replacing a parent, correcting the place or time of event, or correcting the sex, race, or age of a certificate holder or parent.

Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP)

An AOP is a legal document that allows the biological parents who aren’t married to each other to establish legal paternity.

If the biological parents were married after the birth of the child or if there is a court order regarding this child establishing paternity, you do NOT need to have an AOP appointment. Use form VS-170 Correcting a Birth Certificate.

If either parent wants a DNA test, it must be done prior to signing the legal AOP document.

Contact the Texas Attorney General’s Office - Erin Henriksen -  at Erin.Henriksen@oag.texas.gov.

For more information please contact our office, or browse the FAQ’s section.