Introduction to Texas Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Texas Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want a Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

Texas Death certificates have been maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services for individuals that died in the state of Texas since 1903.

Texas Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Texas state law, Texas Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Texas Death Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Texas Death Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Texas Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Texas Death Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Texas Death Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Texas Death Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Texas Death certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Texas Death Certificate

Texas Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a Texas Death Certificate, 25 years or later from the date of the Death for genealogy or other reasons.

Texas Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Texas Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Texas Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Texas Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Texas Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Texas Death certificate online.  It usually takes 3-4 weeks if you pay by credit card and 6-8 weeks if you pay by check or money order.

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Texas Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Texas Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Texas Death certificate
• Sex on the Texas Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Texas Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Texas Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Texas Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Texas Vital Records

Department of State Health Services

P.O. Box 12040

Austin, TX 78711-2040

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Texas: You may go to any county health department in the State of Texas to obtain a certified copy of a Texas Death certificate. Most Texas Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Texas Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Texas Death certificate is $20.00, which includes one certified copy of the Texas Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Texas Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $20.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Texas DSHS." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.