July 30, 2007

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) recommends that parents obtain copies of birth certificates for their children as early as possible before the upcoming academic year. August is the busiest month of the year for the issuing of the copies of birth certificates.

School districts usually require a certified copy of a birth certificate upon initial enrollment. Birth certificates for children born in Houston and other cities in Texas are available through HDHHS’ Bureau of Vital Statistics.

The most convenient locations for parents are the HDHHS multi-service center or health center nearest to them. The sites and their days of operation are:

• Mondays, Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star
• Tuesdays, Magnolia Multi-Service Center, 7037 Capitol and La Nueva Casa de Amigos Health Center, 1809 N. Main
• Wednesdays, Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 Montgomery
• Thursdays, Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 4605 Wilmington and Lyons Health Center, 5602 Lyons Avenue, and
• Fridays, Northside Health Center, 8523 Arkansas
• The sites open from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Southwest, Magnolia and Acres Homes Multi-Service Centers will open weekdays from August 20 to August 31.

Each copy of a birth certificate costs $23. Only checks or money orders are accepted at the health centers and multi-service centers.

HDHHS still offers full vital statistics services on weekdays from its main offices at 8000 N. Stadium Drive.

HDHHS issues birth certificates only to parents, legal guardians and immediate family members such as sisters, brothers, grandparents and stepparents. Qualified applicants must present valid, official photo identification such as a driver’s license, military ID, state/city/county photo ID, current employment photo ID or some type of officially issued photo ID.

It is not necessary for a child to accompany a parent to obtain a birth certificate.

For more information, call 311 or 713-794-9050 for birth certificates.