Documentation

Birth Certificate Information
After the birth of your baby, a representative from the Birth Registrar’s office will visit you to obtain the information necessary to complete the birth certificate. It is important to have your baby’s name selected at that time so as not to delay the process.

A birth certificate is a legal document, which by law, must be completed and submitted to the State of Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics within three days of the date of birth. This certificate is required for registering your child for school, proof of citizenship, obtaining a social security card, etc. It is important to provide complete and accurate information, as errors are difficult and expensive to correct after the certificate is filed.

You will receive a complementary hospital birth certificate in the mail. You will need to purchase the official birth certificate from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. During your hospital stay, you will receive a form explaining how to purchase a birth certificate.

Other Important Documents
Baptist Health System will request a social security number for your baby if you choose to receive one. The card will be mailed to the address provided on the birth certificate. A Certification of Birth Facts can be provided upon request for insurance purposes.

If you are not legally married to the baby’s biological father, an Acknowledgement of Paternity will need to be completed by the father and can be done so prior to the baby’s birth. This document requires the signature of both parents. NCBH does not perform paternity testing. For more information on establishing paternity, please call (210) 841-8450 or go online at www.oag.state.tx.us.