How to Get a Death Certificate in Texas
How to Get a Death Certificate in Texas
In Texas, you can get a certified death certificate from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section in Austin, online through txapps.texas.gov, by mail, or from your local registrar or county clerk. The first certified copy costs $20, and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $3. Order at least 8 to 12 copies, because every financial institution, insurer, and court filing requires its own original.
Where to Get a Texas Death Certificate
Two official sources issue certified copies of a death certificate in Texas.
Option 1: DSHS Vital Statistics Section
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section maintains death records for all deaths registered in Texas from 1903 to the present. This is the statewide source and the right choice if the local registrar is not nearby or if you need records going back many years.
DSHS contact information:
- Address: Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040
- In-person: 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756
- Phone: 888-963-7111
- Website: dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics
Option 2: Local Registrar or County Clerk
The local registrar in the city or county where the death occurred also issues certified copies. For recent deaths, this is often the fastest option. Many offices accept walk-ins. Call ahead to confirm hours, fees, and accepted payment methods, since each jurisdiction sets its own procedures.
Which to choose: If the death was recent and the local registrar is nearby, start there. If you need multiple copies and cannot visit in person, the DSHS online option is your best route.
Who Can Request a Texas Death Certificate
Texas restricts access to certified death certificates for the first 25 years after the date of death. During that 25-year restricted period, only the following people may obtain a certified copy (Tex. Health & Safety Code § 191.0045):
- The spouse, parent, or legal guardian of the deceased
- A child, grandchild, or sibling of the deceased
- The personal representative or executor of the estate
- An attorney representing any eligible person
- A legal representative of the deceased's estate
- Other persons with a documented legal or financial interest
After 25 years, death certificates become public records and anyone may request them.
If you are not on the eligible list but need a death certificate for a legitimate purpose, you may be able to obtain a death verification letter instead (see below).
How Many Copies to Order
Order more than you think you need. Trying to get additional copies weeks later means paying processing fees all over again and waiting for delivery.
A typical estate requires 8 to 12 certified copies. Here is where each one goes:
- Probate court filing: 1 copy
- Each bank or financial institution: 1 copy per institution
- Life insurance claim: 1 copy per policy
- Social Security Administration: 1 copy
- Each retirement account: 1 copy per account
- Real estate transfer or title company: 1 copy
- Vehicle title transfer at TxDMV: 1 copy
- Personal records: 1 copy
Ordering all copies in a single transaction saves money. At $20 for the first and $3 for each additional, ordering 10 copies costs $47 total. Ordering them one at a time over several months costs $200.
2026 Texas Death Certificate Fee Schedule
These are the official DSHS fees as of 2026.
| Method | First Copy | Each Additional Copy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person at DSHS Austin | $20.00 | $3.00 | Same-day service typical |
| Mail (Form VS-142) | $20.00 | $3.00 | 25-30 business days |
| Online (txapps.texas.gov) | $20.00 | $3.00 | 20-25 business days |
| Expedited processing | Add $25.00 | Add $25.00 | Faster processing, not faster shipping |
| Correction (Form VS-172) | $15.00 | Plus $20.00 for new copy | Processing varies |
Local registrar and county clerk fees may vary. Some counties charge the same $20/$3 structure; others set their own rates. Call ahead.
Payment methods at DSHS:
- In person: cash, check, or money order
- By mail: check or money order payable to "DSHS"
- Online: credit or debit card
How to Order: 4 Methods
Method 1: Online Through txapps.texas.gov
This is the most convenient option for mail delivery. Go to txapps.texas.gov, select "Vital Statistics," and follow the prompts. You will need the deceased's full legal name, date of death, and Social Security number. Standard processing takes 20 to 25 business days. Add $25 for expedited processing.
Method 2: By Mail Using Form VS-142
Download Form VS-142 (Application for a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate) from the DSHS website. Complete the form, include your check or money order payable to "DSHS," and mail to:
DSHS Vital Statistics Section P.O. Box 12040 Austin, TX 78711-2040
Standard mail processing takes 25 to 30 business days. Mark your envelope "Expedited" and include the additional $25 fee if you need faster processing.
Method 3: In Person at DSHS in Austin
Visit the DSHS Vital Statistics office at 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Same-day service is typical for in-person requests. This is the cheapest and fastest option if you are in the Austin area.
Method 4: Local Registrar or County Clerk
Contact the local registrar or county clerk in the county where the death occurred. For recent deaths, this is often the fastest route and may be the most convenient. Some offices allow walk-ins; others require appointments. Processing times vary by county.
Processing Times at a Glance
| Method | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| In person at DSHS Austin | Same day |
| Local registrar or county clerk | Varies, often same day to a few days |
| Online (txapps.texas.gov) | 20 to 25 business days |
| Mail (Form VS-142), standard | 25 to 30 business days |
| Mail, expedited (add $25) | Faster, timeline varies |
Business days exclude weekends and state holidays.
How Death Certificates Are Completed in Texas
A Texas death certificate moves through a multi-party process before it becomes an official record. Understanding this helps you know why there can be delays before copies are available.
The TxEVER system. Texas uses the Texas Electronic Vital Events Registrar (TxEVER) system for electronic death registration. This is the statewide system that funeral directors, physicians, medical examiners, and justices of the peace use to file and process death records.
The steps:
- The funeral director initiates the death record in TxEVER, entering the deceased's personal and demographic information.
- The medical certifier - an attending physician, medical examiner, or justice of the peace - certifies the cause and manner of death. Texas law requires the physician to complete the medical certification within 5 days of death.
- The local registrar reviews the record, issues the burial-transit permit, and registers the death.
- DSHS receives the electronic record and the certificate becomes part of the state's permanent vital records.
Who certifies cause of death in Texas:
- Attending physician (for deaths from known medical conditions under their care)
- Medical examiner (required by law in counties with populations over 2.5 million; Harris County meets this threshold. Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis, and El Paso counties also maintain medical examiner offices.)
- Justice of the peace (serves as coroner in counties without a medical examiner, which is most Texas counties)
Texas does not have a coroner system. In the vast majority of Texas's 254 counties, the justice of the peace performs death investigations and inquests. Several metropolitan counties maintain medical examiner offices, with Harris County being the only one mandated by the population threshold.
Death Verification Letters
If you need proof of death but do not qualify as an eligible person during the 25-year restricted period, DSHS can issue a death verification letter. This letter confirms the fact and date of death but does not include cause of death or other medical details. Contact DSHS at 888-963-7111 to request one.
Some institutions accept a death verification letter in place of a full certified copy. Ask each institution before assuming it will be accepted.
Correcting Errors on a Texas Death Certificate
If a death certificate contains an error, the process depends on what needs to be corrected and how long ago the death was registered.
Within the first year after registration: The funeral director or medical certifier can submit corrections directly through TxEVER for certain fields.
After the first year, or for fields that require a formal amendment: File Form VS-172 (Application to Amend a Texas Vital Record) with DSHS. The fee is $15 for the amendment plus $20 for a new certified copy reflecting the change.
Contact DSHS for amendments:
- Phone: 888-963-7111
- Mail: DSHS Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040
Supporting documentation varies depending on what is being corrected. DSHS will specify what is needed when you submit the amendment application.
Military and Fee Waiver Information
Texas provides fee waivers for death certificates in some situations. Veterans' families and indigent families should ask DSHS or the local registrar about applicable waivers. County clerks may also waive fees for deaths of homeless individuals or when the county bears burial costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a Texas death certificate?
During the first 25 years after death, access is restricted to eligible persons: spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, legal guardian, executor, or attorney representing an eligible person (Tex. Health & Safety Code § 191.0045). After 25 years, death certificates become public records.
How long does it take to get a death certificate in Texas?
If you visit DSHS in Austin in person, you can typically get copies the same day. Online orders take 20 to 25 business days. Mail orders take 25 to 30 business days. Local registrars and county clerks vary, but many provide same-day or next-day service for recent deaths.
What is the cost of a Texas death certificate in 2026?
DSHS charges $20 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Expedited processing adds $25. Correction filings cost $15 plus $20 for a new certified copy.
Can I get a Texas death certificate if I am not a family member?
During the 25-year restricted period, you generally cannot unless you have a documented legal or financial interest. You may be able to obtain a death verification letter instead. After 25 years, the record is public.
The death certificate has an error. What do I do?
For recent registrations, the funeral director or medical certifier can often correct errors through TxEVER. For older records or formal amendments, file Form VS-172 with DSHS. The amendment fee is $15, plus $20 for a corrected certified copy.
What to Do Next
Kaira organizes every step for your state — deadlines, forms, and next actions — so nothing gets missed. See how it works.
This guide reflects Texas vital records procedures as of April 2026, including the 2026 DSHS fee schedule. Fees and processing times may change. For the current fee schedule, visit dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics.
Sources: Tex. Health & Safety Code Ch. 191 (Vital Statistics); Tex. Health & Safety Code § 716.004 (Cremation 48-Hour Wait); dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics; txapps.texas.gov