Getting a Death Certificate in Texas
Obtaining certified death certificate copies in Texas requires submitting a request to the Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics. The official fee is $20 per certified copy, with standard processing taking 4-6 weeks. Our service handles this entire process on your behalf for a flat $45 per copy fee, which includes the official state fees.
Step-by-Step Process
- Determine eligibility: In Texas, only authorized persons may request death certificates. See the "Who Can Request" section below.
- Gather required documents: You will need to provide specific documentation with your request. See the "Required Documents" section below.
- Submit your request: Requests can be submitted to the Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics by mail, or in person at the state office by appointment.
- Pay the official fees: The official fee is $20 per certified copy. Payment methods accepted by the vital records office include check or money order payable to the state health department.
- Receive your copies: Certified copies are mailed to your address after processing. Standard processing takes 4-6 weeks; expedited processing available in approximately 1-2 weeks for an additional $25 fee.
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of relationship or legal authority
- Payment
Who Can Request a Texas Death Certificate
Texas restricts access to death certificates to authorized individuals. Eligible requestors include:
- Registrant (if 18+)
- Parent
- Child (18+)
- Legal guardian
- Attorney
- Funeral director
Texas Vital Records Office Contact
Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics
- Address
- 1100 W 49th St, Austin, TX 78756
- Phone
- (512) 776-7111
- Website
- Official Website
- Cost
- $20 per certified copy
- Processing Time
- 4-6 weeks (standard)
Counties in Texas
Death certificates in Texas can be requested for deaths that occurred in any of the state's 65 counties.
Show all 65 Texas counties
- Anderson
- Andrews
- Angelina
- Aransas
- Archer
- Armstrong
- Atascosa
- Austin
- Bailey
- Bandera
- Bastrop
- Baylor
- Bee
- Bell
- Bexar
- Blanco
- Borden
- Bosque
- Bowie
- Brazoria
- Brazos
- Brewster
- Briscoe
- Brooks
- Brown
- Burleson
- Burnet
- Caldwell
- Calhoun
- Callahan
- Cameron
- Camp
- Carson
- Cass
- Castro
- Chambers
- Cherokee
- Childress
- Clay
- Cochran
- Coke
- Coleman
- Collin
- Collingsworth
- Colorado
- Comal
- Comanche
- Concho
- Cooke
- Corpus Christi
- Coryell
- Cottle
- Crane
- Crockett
- Crosby
- Dallas
- Dawson
- Deaf Smith
- Delta
- Denton
- El Paso
- Harris
- Hidalgo
- Tarrant
- Travis
Let Us Handle This For You
Skip the research and paperwork. We identify the right office, submit your request in Texas's required format, advance the official fees, and deliver certified copies to you.
Order Texas Death CertificatesRelated: Find Funeral Homes in Texas
If you are working with a funeral home in Texas, our directory lists funeral homes across the state. Browse funeral homes in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions - Texas
The official government fee in Texas is $20 per certified copy. Through our service, you pay $45 per copy which includes the official state fee and our preparation and delivery service.
Standard processing in Texas takes 4-6 weeks from the date your application is received by the vital records office. Expedited processing is available in Texas for an additional $25 flat fee, with processing in approximately 1-2 weeks.
Most requests in Texas go through the state vital records office at Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics. Some counties may have local options - contact us or check the county health department website.
Death certificates are issued by the vital records office for the state where the death occurred, not where the person lived. If the death occurred in Texas, you request it from Texas vital records regardless of where the deceased resided.