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Texas Vital Records: Difference between revisions
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| align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''Birth Records''' | | align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''Birth Records''' | ||
| align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''Marriage Records''' | | align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''Marriage Records''' | ||
| align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''Death | | align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''Death ''''''Records''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | <br> | | align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | 1903<br> | ||
| align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | <br> | | align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | 1836<br> | ||
| align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | <br> | | align="center" valign="middle" height="35" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | 1903<br> | ||
|} | |} | ||
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The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Texas Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]]. Most online resources for Texas Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index. | The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Texas Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]]. Most online resources for Texas Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index. | ||
=== Birth === | === Birth === | ||
*'''1840-1981''' - {{RecordSearch|1681015|Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981}} - free, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[ | *'''1840-1981''' - {{RecordSearch|1681015|Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981}} - free, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[Texas Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Description]]. | ||
*'''1903-1935''' - {{RecordSearch|1803956|Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935}} - free, includes images, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[ | *'''1903-1935''' - {{RecordSearch|1803956|Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935}} - free, includes images, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[Texas Birth Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Description]]. | ||
*'''1903-1997''' - {{RecordSearch|1949342|Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997}} - free, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[Texas, | *'''1903-1997''' - {{RecordSearch|1949342|Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997}} - free, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[Texas, Birth Index (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Description]]. | ||
=== Marriage === | === Marriage === | ||
*'''1837-1973''' - {{RecordSearch|1681052|Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973}} - free, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[ | *'''1837-1973''' - {{RecordSearch|1681052|Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973}} - free, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[Texas Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Description]]. | ||
*'''1837-1977''' - {{RecordSearch|1803987|Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977}} - free, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[ | *'''1837-1977''' - {{RecordSearch|1803987|Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977}} - free, courtesy: FamilySearch. [[Texas County Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Description]]. | ||
=== Death === | === Death === | ||
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*Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/texas.htm Texas Certificates] ($) online from the State. | *Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/texas.htm Texas Certificates] ($) online from the State. | ||
If you are aware of other online databases, please feel free to add them. | If you are aware of other online databases, please feel free to add them. | ||
=== City and County Records of Births and Deaths === | === City and County Records of Births and Deaths === | ||
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Only authorized personnel may search the records. The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in ''Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces.'' <ref>Hyattsville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993. {{FHL|973 V24wv|disp=FHL Book 973 V24wv}}.</ref>Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and many family history centers. | Only authorized personnel may search the records. The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in ''Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces.'' <ref>Hyattsville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993. {{FHL|973 V24wv|disp=FHL Book 973 V24wv}}.</ref>Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and many family history centers. | ||
The Texas State Library and Archives has indexes to birth, "probate births" (delayed registrations), and death records from 1903 to 1973. These are available for public searches. | The Texas State Library and Archives has indexes to birth, "probate births" (delayed registrations), and death records from 1903 to 1973. These are available for public searches. | ||
=== Adoption Records === | === Adoption Records === | ||
All adoption records in Texas are sealed meaning once the adoption is completed, no one may have access to the record without a court order from the court which sealed it. This includes the adult adoptee, adoptive parents and birth parents. In the case of step parent adoptions or other family member adoptions the prohibition still applies. The opening of a record is solely at the discretion of the judge. There are no required guidelines for a judge to follow. Traditionally, the sealing has included the original birth certificate naming the birth parent(s). The original birth certificate is created in the County Clerks office in the county where the birth occurred and a copy is sent to Austin. Until the adoption is finalized, a birth parent may have a copy of the birth certificate. When the adoption is finalized, the court order along with the original birth certificate is sent to Austin where a new birth certificate is generated naming the adoptive parents in place of the birth parent(s). The new certificate is called a supplemental birth certificate. A copy of the supplemental birth certificate is sent to the County Clerk for their records. Both the original and the supplemental birth certificates have the same number. Some supplemental birth certificates have an "A" after the number to identify it as an amended birth certificate. If an adult adoptee knows the name of his/her birth parent(s)as stated on the original birth certificate, he/she may obtain a non-certified copy of the birth certificate without having a court order. Mostly, these are step parent or family adoptions where the adult adoptee has a personal knowledge of the birth parent(s). | All adoption records in Texas are sealed meaning once the adoption is completed, no one may have access to the record without a court order from the court which sealed it. This includes the adult adoptee, adoptive parents and birth parents. In the case of step parent adoptions or other family member adoptions the prohibition still applies. The opening of a record is solely at the discretion of the judge. There are no required guidelines for a judge to follow. Traditionally, the sealing has included the original birth certificate naming the birth parent(s). The original birth certificate is created in the County Clerks office in the county where the birth occurred and a copy is sent to Austin. Until the adoption is finalized, a birth parent may have a copy of the birth certificate. When the adoption is finalized, the court order along with the original birth certificate is sent to Austin where a new birth certificate is generated naming the adoptive parents in place of the birth parent(s). The new certificate is called a supplemental birth certificate. A copy of the supplemental birth certificate is sent to the County Clerk for their records. Both the original and the supplemental birth certificates have the same number. Some supplemental birth certificates have an "A" after the number to identify it as an amended birth certificate. If an adult adoptee knows the name of his/her birth parent(s)as stated on the original birth certificate, he/she may obtain a non-certified copy of the birth certificate without having a court order. Mostly, these are step parent or family adoptions where the adult adoptee has a personal knowledge of the birth parent(s). | ||
== Marriage Records == | == Marriage Records == | ||
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=== Divorce Records === | === Divorce Records === | ||
From 1837 to 1841, divorces were obtained by special acts of Congress. In 1841, the district courts were given jurisdiction, with some restrictions, over divorces. Since 1846, they have had jurisdiction over all cases. You can write to the clerk of the district court in the county where the decree was granted for copies of records. | From 1837 to 1841, divorces were obtained by special acts of Congress. In 1841, the district courts were given jurisdiction, with some restrictions, over divorces. Since 1846, they have had jurisdiction over all cases. You can write to the clerk of the district court in the county where the decree was granted for copies of records. | ||
== Lost and Missing Records == | == Lost and Missing Records == | ||