Click here for frequently asked questions related to amendments.
To add or change the father on a birth certificate, see the Paternity page.
For all other changes to birth or death certificates, please follow the instructions below. Please note that because each situation is different, every application must be reviewed by a specialist to determine whether it is acceptable. If the application is determined to not be acceptable, you will be contacted with additional instructions, which will increase the processing time.
- To amend a birth certificate, fill out Form VS-170 (pdf 20K).
- To amend a death certificate, fill out Form VS-172 (pdf 32K).
Send the completed application, along with the required documentation (listed in the form) and the correct fee amount, to Texas Vital Statistics, via one of the two methods in the table below. Add 10-12 weeks to the processing time if the birth or death has occurred less than 6 months ago. Please make checks or money orders payable to DSHS.
Application and Delivery Methods
| Application methods |
Instructions |
Cost |
Payment methods accepted |
Processing time for most requests |
Expedited service
Overnight mail service
such as UPS, FedEx, or USPS express mail
Do NOT use USPS priority or certified mail*
Expedited services is not available for amendments on death certificates for deaths that occurred in the last 90 days. |
Send by overnight mail to:
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Returned by UPS or USPS express mail. |
$15 for the amendment
+ $5 expedited processing fee
+ delivery cost of $8 for Lonestar overnight or $18.50 express mail**
+ (optional) $22 for one certified copy of the amended birth record, or $20 for one certified copy of the amended death record |
Check
Money order |
10-15 business days
Please note: this estimate applies only to complete and acceptable applications. Incomplete or unacceptable applications will require additional processing time. |
U.S. Postal Service regular mail |
Mail request to:
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711 |
$15 for the amendment
+ (optional) $22 for one certified copy of the amended birth record, or $20 for one certified copy of the amended death record |
Check
Money order |
6-8 weeks |
* Please do not send expedited requests via U.S. Postal Service priority or certified mail because such mail can take up to three weeks to be delivered to our office through our routing system.
**The cost of UPS overnight to most U.S. locations is $8.00. Additional fees will be added if the certificates need to be mailed outside the continental U.S or if additional services are needed such as Saturday delivery or delivery before 8:00 AM. The cost of express mail delivery to a post office box, Hawaii, Alaska, U.S. territories or U.S. commonwealths is $18.50. The cost of Priority Mail delivery to a military address is $4.95. These delivery methods offer security and tracking capabilities that are not available with regular mail.
External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to people with disabilities.