Texas Death Certificate Application (Form VS-142) (VS-142)
Official state formForm VS-142Free downloadLast verified November 9, 2026
Form VS-142 is the mail application to order a certified copy of a Texas death certificate. It is filed with the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section.
Who can use this form
- A child, spouse, parent, sibling or grandparent of the person who died
- Anyone else with legal documents showing a direct, tangible interest
- Deaths within the past 25 years are restricted to these applicants
What to send with it
- The original completed application, signed and notarized
- A photocopy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- The state fee by check or money order payable to DSHS - Vital Statistics
Where to send it
- Mail to
- DSHS - Vital Statistics Section P.O. Box 12040 Austin, TX 78711-2040
- State fee
- $20 for the first copy, $3 for each additional copy
- Typical processing
- About 6 to 8 weeks by mail
- Source
- Official government page