Death certificate · Texas
How to get a death certificate in Texas
In Texas, certified death certificates are issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Vital Statistics. The first certified copy costs $20, with additional copies at $3 each (same order). Order online through Texas.gov, by mail to DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin, or in person. The funeral home can also order copies for you.
- Where to order
- Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Vital Statistics — official site
- Cost
- $20 first copy; $3 each (same order).
- How to order
- Order online through Texas.gov, by mail to DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin, or in person. The funeral home can also order copies for you.
- Good to know
- Expedited service is an extra $25. Local registrars and county clerks may also issue copies.
Common questions
- How much is a death certificate in Texas?
- The first certified copy is $20, and additional copies ordered at the same time are $3 each (same order). Third-party online vendors add a service fee.
- How many death certificates do I need?
- Most families order 10 or more certified copies. Each bank, insurer, brokerage, and government agency typically wants its own certified original, not a photocopy, so it's better to over-order than to wait for more later.
- Who can order a death certificate?
- Usually the next of kin, the executor, or someone with a documented legal or financial interest. The funeral home can order certified copies on the family's behalf when it files the death certificate.
General guidance, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change — confirm with the Texas vital-records office.