Vital Statistics is responsible for reviewing, recording and filing birth, death, and fetal certificates submitted by the hospital, birthing center, midwives, and funeral directors, and for recording changes of amendments, adoptions, and paternity on certificates sent from the state.  This division provides certified copies of birth and death certificates to the general public, reviews and prepares a daily report of monies collected and certificates issued, and prepares a monthly report for the state.

Vital Statistics
502 E. Tyler St.
Harlingen, Texas  78550
(956) 427-8720
Fax:  (956) 428-0828

Maintain accurate Vital Statistic records and provide prompt
and responsive service to all our customers.

WHAT SERVICES DO WE PROVIDE?

Issue birth, death, and fetal certificates.

Issue records for customers born in Texas by way of a remote site from the state office.

Maintain birth records starting from 1918, and death records starting from 1919.

Register home births by midwives and/or other attendants.

Assist funeral directors with the filing of death certificates and burial transits.

Provide customers with various vital statistics forms for amending birth and death certificates.

Provide birth and death verifications to various state agencies.

Notarize Application Amendment forms upon request

English

To ensure that you receive an accurate record for your request and that your request is filled expeditiously, please follow the steps outlined below for the information in which you are requested:

   For all mail requests the only form of payment accepted are money order or cashier check payable to the
        City of Harlingen. (no personal or business checks)

  Because all fees are subject to change, a telephone number has been included in the following information
       for use in verifying the current fee.

  Type or print all names and addresses in the letter/or print and complete the application

  Give the following facts when writing for birth or death records:

        1.   Full name of person whose record is being requested.
        2.  Sex
        3.  Parent's names, including maiden name of mother.
        4.  Month, day, and year of birth or death.
        5.  Place of birth or death (city or town, county, and state; and name of hospital if known).
        6.  Purpose for which copy is needed.
        7.  Relationship to person whose record is being requested.
        8.  Photocopy of I.D. (state I.D., driver's license, or military).
        9.  Telephone number in case more information is needed.
_____________________________________

English - APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED COPY OR BIRTH OR DEATH CERTIFICATE

Spanish - APLICACION PARA REGISTRO DE NACIMIENTO O ACTA DE DEFUNCION

WHO CAN OBTAIN A BIRTH/DEATH RECORD

CHAPTER 181. VITAL STATISTICS
SEC. 181.1 DEFINITIONS

IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER - The registrant, a member of his or her immediate family either by blood or marriage, his or her guardian, or his or her legal agent or representative.

LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE - (personal representative or agent) - An attorney in fact, a funeral director, or any other person designated by affidavit, contract, or court order acting on behalf and for the benefit of the registrant or his or her immediate family.  In order to determine the need for protection for personal property rights when the legal representative is acting on behalf and for the benefit of the registrant or the registrant's immediate family or other entity having a direct and tangible interest in the record, the state registrar, local registrar, or county clerk shall require a designation document or any attested statement to that effect.

PROPERLY QUALIFIED APPLICANT -   The registrant, or immediate family member either by blood or marriage, his or her guardian, or his or her legal agent or representative.  Local, state and federal law enforcement or governmental agencies and other persons may be designated as properly qualified applicants by demonstrating a direct and tangible interest in the record when the information in the record is necessary to implement a statutory provision or to protect a personal legal property right.  A properly qualified applicant may also be any person who has submitted an application for a request to release personal information and has been approved as outlined in Sec. 181.11 of this tile (relating to Requests for Personal Data).

CONFIDENTIALITY - A birth record is public information and available to the public on and after the 75th anniversary of the date on which the record is filed with the bureau of vital statistics or local registration official; and a death record is public information and available to the public on and after the 25th anniversary of the date on which the record is filed with the bureau of vital statistics or local registration official.  (Sec. 552.115)

FEES CHARGED BY CITY OF HARLINGEN, VITAL STATISTICS