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Certified Vital Records Free for a Claim Against the Government

The Texas state registrar issues certified copies of vital records WITHOUT FEE to a veteran when the copy is for use in settling a claim against the government. Birth, marriage and death certificates are routine requirements on VA claims and survivor applications, and each one ordinarily carries a fee. The condition is the purpose: the copy must be for the claim, and you should say so when you request it rather than afterwards.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

The Texas state registrar issues certified copies of vital records WITHOUT FEE to a veteran when the copy is for use in settling a claim against the government. Birth, marriage and death certificates are routine requirements on VA claims and survivor applications, and each one ordinarily carries a fee. The condition is the purpose: the copy must be for the claim, and you should say so when you request it rather than afterwards.

What it's worth: Certified copies of vital records issued without fee

  • Certified copies are issued by the STATE REGISTRAR WITHOUT FEE.
  • The copy must be FOR USE IN SETTLING A CLAIM AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.
  • Say what the copy is for when you request it. The waiver turns on the purpose.
  • Birth, marriage and death certificates are routine requirements on VA claims and survivor applications.
  • Statutory basis: Tex. Health & Safety Code §191.0046.
  • The saving is the certified copy fee, which is modest per copy and adds up across a claim.

Who is entitled to it

  • You are in one of the groups this reaches.
  • The Texas state registrar.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1State on the request that the copy is for settling a claim against the government. That is the condition.
  2. 2Ask your accredited representative which certificates the claim actually needs before ordering.
  3. 3Order through Vital Statistics at the Department of State Health Services.
  4. 4Ask about the free medical records statute at the same time; the two together cover most claim paperwork.
  5. 5If a local registrar charges, ask about the state registrar route.
Form
Request to the state registrar, Vital Statistics
File with
Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics
No renewal needed
Worth knowingRead this together with the free medical records statute. Between them, the documentary cost of assembling a Texas VA claim should be close to nothing.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.