How to Find Texas Death Records

United States US Vital Records  How to Find United States Deaths  Texas  Vital Records  Texas Deaths

Texas was created in 1845 as the 28th state of the Union. Some counties began registration of deaths in 1903, but statewide registration began in 1908. Death records are accessible through county clerks or through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Death Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1890
 * 1890 thru 1986
 * After 1986 to the present
 * Death year unknown


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Deaths before 1890
Death registrations began officially in 1903 by the county and state. A few stray death registrations and delayed death records were created from 1890s-1990, as reported from obituaries and probate records. These delayed death registrations are grouped with the regular death certificates.

If you cannot find your ancestor's death record before 1903, you may wish to search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1890 thru 1986
The state of Texas began recording deaths officially in 1903, although a few early deaths were recorded beween 1890 and 1903.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that may exist between 1890 and 1986, try the following databases. If you can't find your ancestor in the first link, try all of them.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of death 

If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

See a list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order a death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

If you do not know the exact date or place of death: For a fee, the Texas Department of State Health Services will do a search of other years, but may take longer to process the request.

See the list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1986
PART A: You know the exact date of death 

With an exact date (from your records), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

Return to top: Choose another death year

Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records
Restrictions for persons who died within the last 25 years: Death certificates for deaths in Texas within the past 25 years are considered protected records. To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 25 years, you must be:


 * The surviving spouse of the deceased
 * An immediate family member of the deceased
 * A parent of the deceased
 * Funeral director
 * Anyone who has a legal interest in the certificate


 * If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Return to top: Choose another death year

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