How to Find Texas Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths TexasDeaths ; NOTE: THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Texas was created in 1845 as the 28th state of the Union. Some counties began registration of deaths in 1903 in Texas, but statewide registration began in 1908. County records are accessible through county clerks or through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Death Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1903
 * 1903 thru 1908
 * 1917 thru 1970
 * After 1970 to the present
 * Death year unknown


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Deaths before 1903
Before 1903, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. A few death registrations delayed registrations of death from 1890s-1990, as reported from obituaries and probate records, are grouped with the regular death certificates. These early records are frequently located in the final few volumes of a given year, but may be interspersed throughout a volume set.

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.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1853 thru 1916

 * 1853 - Virginia law required counties to record deaths, although records are incomplete
 * 1863 - West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia
 * 1917 - West Virginia Statewide death registration began

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1917 thru 1970
The state of West Virginia began recording deaths in January 1917.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
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:

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

If you do not know the exact date or place of death: For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).

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. Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1986
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:

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

Return to top: Choose another death year

Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records
Restrictions for persons who died within the last 25 years: Death certificates for deaths 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.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. death records
 * How to find U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. marriage records
 * How to Find U.S. death Records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Birth Records
 * United States Marriage Records