(Seguin) — Guadalupe County Clerk Teresa Kiel is reminding residents that getting a certified birth certificate should be simple, affordable and secure.
Kiel says her office has seen an increasing number of people unknowingly paying excessive fees to third-party websites that appear legitimate but are not affiliated with Guadalupe County.
Kiel says residents should avoid unofficial websites when requesting vital records.
“What we’re seeing is multiple online agencies, charging outrageous amounts, and we don’t really know if those agencies are legitimate or not. The only real legitimate way is to either go to the state, Department of State Health Services or our office to get a birth certificate,” said Kiel.
She says Guadalupe County does partner with VitalChek, the county’s only authorized online provider, which charges a $13.95 identity verification fee in addition to the state-mandated birth certificate fee. While residents can also request records by mail, Kiel says the online option is often the fastest.
She says the biggest concern is that many unofficial websites charge customers anywhere from $30 to $150 simply to process an application before residents must still obtain the actual certificate from the county.
“Be careful of any of those online services that are charging the fees, because they’re charging anywhere from $30 to $150 just to take your application, and then you have to print it out and bring it in yourself. So it’s really not a service to the customer,” said Kiel.
The cost of a certified birth certificate through the Guadalupe County Clerk’s Office is $23.
Kiel says another common misconception is that residents must travel back to the county where they were born to obtain a birth certificate. She says that’s not the case.
“I am a local registrar for the State of Texas, which means that I can issue birth certificates from any county in Texas. So if you were born in Gonzales and need your birth certificate in Guadalupe County, you can come by the office and we can issue. If it’s registered with the state… I can get birth certificates anywhere in the state of Texas. But it’s best to come into the office,” said Kiel.
She also warns residents not to provide sensitive personal information before knowing exactly who they are dealing with or what they will be charged.
“A lot of the places are requiring you to put your personal information in the system before they tell you what the fees are. Don’t ever do that. Be careful of doing that,” said Kiel.
Residents have three official options for obtaining a certified Texas birth certificate through the Guadalupe County Clerk’s Office. Applications can be submitted in person at the Seguin office, located at 211 W. Court Street, or the Schertz office at 1101 Elbel Road. Requests may also be submitted by mail using forms available on the Guadalupe County Clerk’s website, or online through VitalChek, the county’s only authorized online service provider.
Birth records prior to 1950 are not available through the online system.
Applicants must present a valid government-issued photo ID and may request their own birth certificate or that of an immediate family member. Certified birth certificates are commonly needed for passports, driver’s licenses, school enrollment and other legal purposes.
Kiel says residents with questions should contact the County Clerk’s Office before using an unfamiliar website.
“Just give us a call. That’s the easiest way. We can answer all kinds of questions over the phone.”
For more information, contact the Guadalupe County Clerk’s Office at 830-303-8863.