On Oct. 21, 2013, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) adopted a rule amendment that waives the feeds charged for a certified copy of a birth record for an individual who required a certified copy in order to obtain an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). This does not change the requirements that apply to obtaining a certified birth record. It waives the fee previously charged for such records. Any fees for birth records that are required by statute still apply.

Texas Department of Public Safety Election Identification

• To obtain a birth certificate for Election Identification purposes, visit the Acceptable Identification page.
• To obtain an EIC birth certificate, completely and accurately fill out an EIC Application for Election Identification (PDF)  and submit it in person along with valid identification to your local registrar's office.
• Only the person seeking an EIC can obtain their own birth certificate. No family member or otherwise qualified applicants will be able to obtain a birth certificate subject to the waiver of fees on behalf of other persons.

Fees

• Applicable fee total: $3
  • $2 statutory fee in accordance to Texas Health & State Code 191.0045 & 191.022 
  • $1 preservation fee

Do you have questions? Contact us at 409.938.7221, 409.765.2595 or vitals@gchd.org.