Request your official Texas death certificate online with ease. Whether needed for estate, legal, or personal matters, you can apply in minutes. We handle the application and submission to the Texas vital records office, saving you time and effort. Apply now and get your certified copy delivered by mail.
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Learn how to order Texas Death Certificate from the Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics Section (DSHS-VSS). The current processing time is 5 to 6 weeks, and the state fee for a death certificate is $20.00 per copy and $3.00 for each additional copy. Authorized individuals include immediate family members.
You can now order Texas death certificates through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order death certificates. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics Section (DSHS-VSS) for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your death certificate to you. You can order in person or by mail through the Texas DSHS-VSS by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Confirm and review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times before ordering to ensure a smooth application process.
Requesting a Texas death certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
Applicants must provide proof of identity to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) when requesting certified copies of death records. The table below lists the information and documents required to order a death certificate in Texas. If you do not have a valid form of identification (Group A), you may provide two forms of secondary identification (Group B) or a secondary form (Group B) AND two alternative forms (Group C). Before you request the certificate, review the eligibility criteria. Texas requires a notarized application if ordering by mail or online.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options | Group C (Provide ONE from Group B AND TWO from Group C) |
|---|---|---|
Driver's License Department of Homeland Security, USCIS Issued: Travel Documents: U.S. Department of State Issued: | Current Student ID | Recent Utility Bill or Cell Phone Bill |
Cost & fees
The cost of your death certificate will vary based on the fees set by the Texas Department of Health and your ordering method. The Texas DSHS charges a $20.00 fee for certified copies of death certificates and $3.00 for each additional copy. Expedited processing is $5.00 and must ship with an overnight carrier. Expedited shipping costs vary. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus state fees. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering death certificates.
State Fee |
|---|
$20.00 |
Rush Processing |
|---|
$5.00 |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $3.00 |
When ordering a Texas death certificate, we recommend requesting 3 to 4 certified copies. Multiple copies allow you to handle simultaneous requests from different agencies without delays.
Common situations requiring a certified copy include closing bank accounts, filing insurance claims, transferring vehicle titles, settling estate matters, and updating property records. Each institution typically requires an original certified copy rather than a photocopy.
Ordering multiple copies upfront through VitalRecordsOnline.com is more cost-effective than reordering individually later. The Department of State Health Services charges a fee for each additional copy, but the per-copy cost is lower when ordered together.
A certified Texas death certificate is a vital legal document required for settling the deceased's affairs. You may need certified copies for several important purposes:
VitalRecordsOnline.com simplifies the process of obtaining certified copies from the Department of State Health Services, saving you time and ensuring your order is processed correctly.
Processing time
In Texas, the processing and delivery times for death certificates vary. The processing time is 6 to 8 weeks from the date your application is received. The total waiting time depends on how you submit your application, how you provide the required documents, and whether a notary is required. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service to help prevent incomplete submissions and errors. To expedite the document generation and application process, consider choosing expedited options when ordering through VRO.
Processing Time |
|---|
5 to 6 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
3 to 5 weeks |
Authorization
In Texas, death certificates are confidential documents that can only be accessed by immediate family members. If your name does not appear on the death certificate, you must provide evidence of your relationship to the deceased. If you fail to submit this proof, it may lead to delays in processing your request.
When you order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the Texas Department of Social and Health Services – Vital Records Section (Texas DHSS-VSS) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the Texas DHSS-VSS.
If you choose to mail your request to the Texas DHSS-VSS manually, it is advised to use first-class mail with tracking to know when it arrives.
Texas DHSS-VSS allows you to track the status of your death certificate application once it has been received. You can check the status anytime by entering your confirmation number on the check status page.
Tracking
When you order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the Texas Department of Social and Health Services – Vital Records Section (Texas DHSS-VSS) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the Texas DHSS-VSS.
If you choose to mail your request to the Texas DHSS-VSS manually, it is advised to use first-class mail with tracking to know when it arrives.
Texas DHSS-VSS allows you to track the status of your death certificate application once it has been received. You can check the status anytime by entering your confirmation number on the check status page.
In Texas, death certificates are generally considered public records after a certain period. The Department of State Health Services maintains all vital records and sets the rules for who can obtain copies and when. Recent records may have access restrictions limiting copies to eligible family members and authorized requesters.
There are two types of copies available: certified copies and informational copies. A certified copy bears the official seal and signature of the state registrar and is accepted for legal purposes such as estate settlement, insurance claims, and property transfers. An informational copy is marked as not valid for legal use and is typically used for genealogical research or personal records.
Through VitalRecordsOnline.com, you can order certified copies of Texas death certificates. Our team handles the application process and ensures your request meets all Department of State Health Services requirements.
You can also request other Texas vital records through Vital Records Online:
You can also explore our related guides:
frequently asked questions
Yes. In Texas, funeral homes routinely file the death certificate with the Department of State Health Services and can order certified copies on behalf of the family. This is often the fastest way to obtain initial copies, as the funeral director handles the paperwork directly with the state. If you need additional copies later, you can order them through VitalRecordsOnline.com.
Texas death certificates are managed by the Department of State Health Services. While death records are generally accessible, recent records may have restrictions on who can obtain certified copies. Informational copies for genealogy or research purposes may be available with fewer restrictions. VitalRecordsOnline.com can help you determine which type of copy you need.
To search for Texas death records, you can contact the Department of State Health Services directly or visit their office. For older records, county clerks or the state archives may have historical death records available. VitalRecordsOnline.com can help you locate and order the specific death certificate you need from the appropriate Texas authority.
If a loved one passes away on a military base overseas, the state of Texas won't have a death certificate for them. Instead, deaths that occur on U.S. military bases abroad are registered with the U.S. Department of State, especially if their parents were U.S. citizens. This ensures that their legacy is honored and documented correctly. The process helps families remember and celebrate their loved ones with the respect they deserve. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).
An officially certified death certificate from the Texas Department of Health includes distinctive features that verify its authenticity. While the design of the official death certificate may vary depending on the year it was issued, it will always contain essential details for confirming a person's identity and citizenship at the time of death. A long-form (official) death certificate is intended for legal purposes and differs from a short-form (informational) copy. Texas has specific guidelines that vary by county, which may include different colors and layouts. Generally, official death certificates feature the state seal, the deceased individual's name, and the registrar's signature, which are printed on secure paper.
Texas death certificates are vital documents that prove a person's death. They are necessary for various legal, financial, and personal matters. After losing a loved one, having this vital record is invaluable for managing financial affairs, filing benefit claims, and settling estates. These certificates are crucial in ensuring that everything is handled smoothly during a challenging time.
Death certificates are often helpful or required for:
Settling Estates
Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits
Marriage and Divorce Finalization
Genealogy and Historical Research
Claiming Life Insurance
Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions
Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements
Tax Filings
Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits
Handling Property Mortgage, and Real Estate Matters
Settling the estate
Amending a Texas death certificate depends on the type of changes needed. By law, the original record cannot be modified; an addendum is created to document the necessary corrections. This addendum, also called an affidavit, is issued alongside the original certificate and lists the corrected information while ensuring that the original details remain unchanged. The Department of Health provides a straightforward procedure for correcting or amending death certificates. To correct or amend a Texas death certificate, you will typically need to provide the following:
An apostille is necessary to certify vital records for use in another country. The Texas Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records filed initially with the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Apostilles can be requested from the Texas Secretary of State or VRO. VRO offers reliable apostille services in all 50 states and is legally recognized by governments and organizations in over 100 countries for Texas birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates.
Once the apostille is issued, it will be sent to you by FedEx or DHL for global delivery. This ensures that your documents arrive at your doorstep regardless of location, whether in the US or internationally.
If you request by mail, you will need to provide the following information: