Access Arlington Death Records

Arlington death records are held exclusively by the Arlington Vital Records Bureau, which maintains its own records completely separate from the Tarrant County Clerk. The Tarrant County Clerk has no access to Arlington death records, so going to the county is not the right step if the death occurred in Arlington. This page explains the right office, how to request records, what they cost, and who can get them.

Where to Get Arlington Death Records

Arlington has its own Vital Records Bureau that operates independently from Tarrant County. This is important: if you go to the Tarrant County Clerk looking for an Arlington death record, they will not have it. Arlington's records are held by the city, not the county.

This separation is somewhat unusual in Texas. Most Tarrant County cities use the county clerk's office. Arlington is an exception. For any death that occurred within Arlington city limits, you must go through the city Vital Records Bureau or order through DSHS at the state level.

The Texas.gov vital records portal lets you order certified death certificates online from anywhere in Texas.

Online orders are processed statewide and arrive within 7 to 14 business days.

Getting a Certified Death Certificate

Certified copies of Arlington death records are available in person at the Vital Records Bureau, by mail, or online through DSHS and VitalChek.

In person at 101 W. Abram, 1st Floor, Arlington TX 76010. Bring a valid photo ID, a completed application form, and payment. In-person requests are generally processed the same day.

By mail, send your application, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order to the Arlington Vital Records Bureau at the address above. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for return. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Online through VitalChek or the Texas.gov vital records portal. Both routes add a service fee to the base certificate cost. Delivery runs 7 to 14 business days. For Arlington records specifically, confirm the order routes to DSHS or the Arlington office, not the Tarrant County Clerk.

DSHS at (888) 963-7111 can also process statewide requests and may be able to issue Arlington records from TxEVER if the death was registered electronically.

Who Can Request Death Records

Texas restricts access to death records less than 25 years old. Only certain people can request a certified copy of a recent Arlington death certificate.

Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, parent, adult child, or sibling of the deceased. Legal guardians, attorneys representing the estate, and those with a valid court order also qualify. If you fall outside those groups, you may be able to request a restricted record by showing a direct and tangible interest in it.

Death records 25 years or older are considered public under Texas law. Anyone can request those. You still pay the search fee, but no family connection is required.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the Arlington Vital Records Bureau or include a photocopy with your mail request. Authorized representatives picking up records on your behalf need written authorization plus their own ID. Acceptable ID types are at the DSHS acceptable ID page.

Fees and Payment

Arlington charges $21 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $4.

State DSHS fees are $20 for the first copy and $3 per additional copy. Expedited DSHS processing costs $25 extra. These are separate from what Arlington charges locally.

Online ordering through VitalChek or the Texas.gov portal adds a service fee and shipping. Rates vary by delivery speed. Credit and debit cards are accepted online. The Arlington office accepts cash, check, money order, and most cards in person. Mail requests should include check or money order only. Do not mail cash.

All fees are non-refundable. If a record cannot be found, the search fee still applies. Use accurate information when you file your request to avoid failed searches.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

Texas death registration is governed by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 191. That chapter sets out who files a death certificate, the 10-day deadline, and the requirements for the record itself.

The attending physician certifies the cause of death. The funeral director files the certificate with the local registrar. For deaths in Arlington, that means the Arlington Vital Records Bureau, not the Tarrant County Clerk.

Deaths investigated by a justice of the peace or medical examiner follow Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 49. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner handles inquest cases for Arlington and other county communities.

All Texas deaths are now registered in TxEVER, the state's electronic vital events system. Funeral homes file directly into TxEVER. Once the record is accepted and confirmed, local registrars like the Arlington Vital Records Bureau can issue certified copies. The electronic system has replaced the older paper filing process.

Restricted record access rules are set in 25 Texas Administrative Code Section 181.31.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Arlington death records from the early 20th century are available through the statewide index, which starts at 1903. For older records, county deed books, probate files, and church registers are the primary sources.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds statewide death indexes and historical certificates. Their genealogy research guide explains what is available and how to access it.

FamilySearch provides free access to digitized Texas death records, including many early and mid-20th century certificates. Search by name and filter by county to narrow results for the Tarrant County area.

Ancestry.com holds Texas death indexes and images. A paid subscription is required, but several Tarrant County library locations offer free Ancestry access on-site.

Tarrant County probate and estate records at the courthouse may also help with deaths from earlier eras. Old newspaper archives, cemetery records, and funeral home ledgers from the Arlington and Fort Worth area are useful supplements when vital records are incomplete.

State-Level Death Record Requests

If the Arlington Vital Records Bureau cannot help, the Texas Department of State Health Services handles statewide vital records and can issue certified copies for any death registered in TxEVER.

DSHS Vital Statistics Unit
1100 W. 49th St., Austin TX 78756
Mailing: P.O. Box 12040, Austin TX 78711-2040
Phone: (888) 963-7111

Details at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics and dshs.texas.gov/vs/death.

DSHS mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks. Online orders through the Texas.gov vital records portal typically arrive in 7 to 14 business days.

Nearby Cities

Cities near Arlington with death records pages include Fort Worth, Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and Irving.

County Resources

For deaths outside Arlington city limits in Tarrant County, see the Tarrant County records page. Note that the county clerk does not hold Arlington city records.