July 3, 2002

School districts in the Houston area require a certified copy of a birth certificate before your a child can be enrolled in school.  Check with your school district to determine if your child needs a certificate. Usually a birth certificate is needed only upon initial enrollment in that district. Birth certificates for children born in Houston and elsewhere in Texas are available through the Houston Department of Health and Human Services Department, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 8000 North Stadium Drive in Houston. The busiest time of the year is the month before school starts. To avoid the rush, plan to obtain your certificate as soon as possible. For more information visit the HDHHS birth certificates website at: https://www.ci.houston.tx.us/hlt/certificatespage.html.

Some important things to remember are:

• Bring a valid, official photo identification such as driver's license, military ID, state/city/county photo ID, current employment photo ID or some type of officially issued photo ID. Qualified applicants must show acceptable photo identification.
• Only qualified applicants may obtain birth certificates. A qualified applicant is the person named on the certificate, or immediate family member either by blood or marriage, his or her legal guardian or his or her legal agent or representative.  Immediate family is defined as mother, father, sisters, brothers, grandparents, grand-children, step-parents. Aunts, uncles and cousins are not considered immediate family. See website "Definition of a Qualified Applicant".
• It is not necessary to bring the child to the office to obtain a birth certificate. The birth certificate office is not set up to entertain children and they will find a long wait (1-2 hours or longer) to be difficult.
• Certificate of Birth fee is $11.00.
• Certification of Birth Facts fee is $11.00 (issued for persons born in Texas but not in Houston). HDHHS does not issue certificates for persons born out of state. In most cases, a Certification of Birth Facts will be acceptable by school districts.
• Birth certificates are also available from Harris County. For more information, call 713-755-6438.

Parking during the school rush is sometimes a problem. A parking garage is available at 8000 North Stadium may be crowded. Rates are $2 for less than 1 hour, $4 for 1-2 hours and $6 for more than 2 hours. HDHHS is not responsible for any cars parked in tow away zones or on private property.