How to Get a Texas Death Certificate (2026 Guide)

A Texas death certificate is issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics and by the county clerk where the death occurred. The first certified copy costs $20, and each additional copy ordered at the same time is $3. Only the named person's immediate family or someone with a direct, tangible interest may obtain a certified copy.

How Do You Get a Death Certificate in Texas?

You get a Texas death certificate from the DSHS Vital Statistics Section or from the county clerk in the county where the death occurred. Both issue certified copies of the same state record.

There are three main ways to apply. The fastest is the official online portal at Texas.gov, which DSHS operates for death certificate orders.

You can also apply by mail using the death record application (Form VS-142). The mail application must be signed in front of a notary and include a notary seal, a photocopy of acceptable ID, and a check or money order payable to DSHS Vital Statistics.

The third option is to apply in person at the DSHS Vital Statistics office in Austin or at a participating county clerk or local registrar. DSHS does not take orders over the phone.

Which Office Should You Use?

For a recent death, the county clerk where the death occurred is often the quickest local option and may have copies before the state record is fully processed. For older records or when you are out of state, the DSHS online portal or mail service covers every Texas death.

Who Is Eligible to Request a Texas Death Certificate?

Eligibility is restricted. For deaths within the past 25 years, only an immediate family member of the person named on the certificate, or someone with a direct, tangible interest, may obtain a certified copy.

DSHS defines immediate family by blood, marriage, or adoption. That includes the decedent's spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, or legal guardian.

Anyone who is not an immediate family member must provide legal documentation showing a direct interest in the record. Examples DSHS accepts include a court order or an insurance policy that lists the applicant as a beneficiary.

Every request also requires a completed application, payment, and acceptable identification from the qualified applicant. DSHS will not release any record without all three.

Texas Death Certificate Cost and Processing Time

The first certified copy of a Texas death certificate is $20, and each additional copy ordered in the same request is $3. These fees are set by DSHS and are non-refundable, even if no matching record is found.

A $25 expedited processing fee is available to move your order to the front of the queue, and faster return-mail options (such as overnight or express mail) are offered for an added charge.

Processing time depends on the method. Walk-in orders at DSHS or a county office are typically processed the same day, while mail and online orders take longer.

A $20 Death Verification letter is also available. It confirms a death occurred and lists the name, date, and county of death, but it is not a certified copy and is not accepted as a legal substitute.

Certified vs Informational Copy in Texas

Texas treats death records as restricted, so it does not sell an open public informational copy the way some states do. The standard product is a certified copy, which carries the state seal and is accepted for legal, estate, insurance, and benefits purposes.

The closest informational alternative is the Death Verification letter. It tells you whether a death is on file and gives basic facts, but it cannot be used to settle an estate, claim insurance, or close accounts.

If you need a death certificate to handle legal or financial matters, request a certified copy. Use a verification letter only when you simply need to confirm that a death was recorded.

How to Get Additional or Replacement Copies

The cheapest way to get extra copies is to order them in your original request, because each additional copy is only $3 when bought at the same time. Estates and insurance claims often need several originals, so estimate generously up front.

If you need more copies later or need to replace a lost certificate, submit a new application to DSHS or the county clerk. A later order is charged as a fresh request at the $20 first-copy fee plus $3 for each additional copy in that order.

Replacement copies follow the same eligibility and ID rules as a first request. You must still be a qualified applicant and provide acceptable identification.

Texas Death Certificate Facts

Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal advice. Fees, eligibility rules, and processing times change. Always confirm current requirements with the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section or the county clerk before you apply.

Sources

All fees, eligibility rules, and procedures on this page come from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section.

Related: Texas Death Records and Death Records by State.