Vital Statistics

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.

Mission Statement

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.
  • Our office is linked to the Remote site system from the State vital statistics office, which allows issuance of a birth abstract to person born in Texas.
  • Maintain birth records starting from 1917, and death records starting from 1917.
  • 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 statistic forms for amending birth and death certificates.
  • Provide birth and death verifications to various state and federal agencies.
  • Notarize Texas vital statistics forms, by appointment only.
To ensure you receive an accurate record for your request and is processed expeditiously, please follow the steps outlined below:

  • For all mail requests the only form of payment accepted are money order or cashier check payable to the City of Harlingen. (Effective September 1, 2015, all mail in requests must be notarized)
  • Because all fees are subject to change, a telephone number has been included in the following information for use in verifying the current fee.
  • Photocopy of I.D. (must be valid-/state driver license, state I.D., U.S. passport, military I.D.). 
  •  We do not mail any records outside the United States.
  • Personal checks are NOT ACCEPTED. Cashier's check or money order only.

Mail Application Only/ Solo Aplicacion de Correo
Birth/Death Certificate Application - Solicitud para Registro de Nacimiento/Defuncion

In Person Application Only/ Solo Solicitud en Persona
Birth/Death Certificate Application - Solicitud para Registro de Nacimiento/Defuncion

AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LOCAL REGISTRAR, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENT/S MAY BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE ANY RECORD.


Certified copy of a birth certificate $23.00
Certified birth abstract $23.00
Certified copy of a certificate of death  $21.00
Each additional certified copies of death certificate when requested at the same time  $4.00

FOR ANY SEARCH OF THE FILE WHERE A RECORD IS NOT FOUND, THE SEARCH FEE IS NOT REFUNDABLE OR TRANSFERABLE