Death Record FAQs | Texas DSHS (2024)

To get a copy of a death certificate from Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics Section, the death must have occurred in the state of Texas. See theDeath Recordspage for all requirements for ordering a death certificate.

Vital Statistics can provide records for deaths that were filed in Texas from 1903 to the present. Visit theNational Center for Health Statisticswebsite for certificates for an out-of-state death.

For descriptions and uses of the various types of death records, see theRecord Typespage.

The quickest way is to order online atTexas.gov.

The address you use for mail-in applications depends on whether you are requesting regular or expedited processing. See theVital Statistics Mailing Addressespage for more information.

We cannot release any information on a record without anapplication,payment, andacceptable IDsubmitted by aqualified applicant. We can, however, issue a death verification letter stating whether a record of death is on file with the State of Texas. If a record is filed, the verification letter will include the person's name, the date of death, and the county where the death occurred. Verification letters are available for deaths that have occurred since 1903. Verification letters are not considered legal substitutes for certified copies of death certificates. Vital Statistics strongly recommends that applicants ensure a verification will satisfy its intended use. See theDeath Recordspage for more information, including methods and requirements for ordering a death verification.

Walk-in requestsare typically processed the same day they are submitted; however, some applications may require 24 hours or more to process. See also theProcessing Timesfor other ordering methods.

Complete and submit the appropriateCheck Order Statusform based on your ordering method, and we will get back to you within two business days.

For deaths within the past 25 years, only the immediate family members of the person whose name is on the death certificate are eligible to request a copy. See thePersons Qualified to Request or Change Recordspage for full details, including who is considered an immediate family member.

All other applicants must provide legal documentation (such as a court order establishing guardianship, an insurance policy listing the applicant as the beneficiary, etc) that documents a direct, tangible interest in the birth or death certificate.

As long as you are aperson qualified to request a death certificate, you may authorize anyone to pick up the certificate on your behalf. The person picking up the certificate would need to bring in a notarized statement, along with a copy of your identification and his/her identification. The notarized statement must correctly identify the record being requested, and it must specifically identify the person picking up the record. The identification must meet ouracceptable IDrequirements.

A list ofacceptable IDcan be found on our website in English and Spanish.

In some cases, expired ID is accepted, but only when provided along with another form of non-expired ID. See ourAcceptable IDpage for complete details.

Death certificates are not open records. Access to death certificates is restricted for 25 years from the date of death. Anacceptable IDis required to verify your identity and to prove that you are aqualified applicant.

DSHS Vital Statistics

All fees can be combined in one check or money order made payable to DSHS Vital Statistics.

See theRequirements for Changing Vital Recordspagefor detailed instructions and the required supporting documentation you must submit with your amendment application.

Complete and submit theCheck Order Status – Mail Ordersform, and a Vital Statistics representative will get back to you within two business days.

See theProcessing Timespage for the most up-to-date information on estimated processing times.

You can submit an amendment application in person at the Vital Statistics central office in Austin; however, Vital Statistics does NOT offer same-day walk-in service for corrections to death records. See theRequirements for Changing Vital Recordspagefor instructions on how to submit an application for a death record correction/amendment.

The address you use for mail-in applications depends on whether you are requesting regular or expedited processing. See theVital Statistics Mailing Addressespage for more information.

No. We must have original signatures and certifications; therefore, we must have the original documents and cannot accept documents via email or fax.

Yes. Originals and/or certified copies of supporting documents used to correct a record will be returned once the correction is completed.