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.
Next Step: When did the death occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Deaths before 1890[edit | edit source]
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.
| Records that give death information: | ||
Deaths from 1890 thru 1986[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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.
| Texas Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images (FamilySearch) | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1890-1976, FamilySearch.org | Free. New index, new images. Dates vary by county. Few deaths before 1903. Click on a linked name and "view image" to view the image. | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1903-1982, Ancestry.com | ($), free at FamilySearch centers Index and images, some related documents included as well as certificates. | |||
| Try 3rd: | ||||
| 1903-2000, FamilySearch | Free. Index only. Also on Ancestry.com, free at FamilySearch centers, and Fold3. | |||
| Try 4th: | ||||
| 1977-1986, FamilySearch.org | Free. Dates vary by county. Click on a linked name and "view image" to view the image. | |||
| Try 5th: | ||||
| 1964-1998, FamilySearch.org | Free. Index only. | |||
| Social Security Death Index (SSDI) | ||||
Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No death record for your ancestor? | Other records with death information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
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:
| To Order Death Certificates | |||
| From County of Death | From Texas Department of State Health Services | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
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.
Deaths after 1986[edit | edit source]
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:
| To Order Death Certificates | |||
| From County of Death | From Texas Department of State Health Services | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
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
| Don't want to order the death record? | Search other records with death information | ||
Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records[edit | edit source]
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.
Related Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
- Learn more about U.S. death records
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- How to Find U.S. death Records
- United States Record Finder
- U.S. Vital Records Overview
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