Find Bryan Death Records

Bryan death records are split between two offices depending on where the death occurred. Since January 1, 2019, deaths within Bryan city limits are handled by the City of Bryan, not the Brazos County Clerk. Deaths outside the city limits remain with the county clerk. This page explains both offices, fees, who can request records, and what Texas law requires.

Which Office Has the Record You Need

Since January 1, 2019, the City of Bryan handles death records for deaths that occurred within Bryan city limits. If you need a death record from January 2019 or later and the person died inside the city, contact the City of Bryan through bryantx.gov for information on how to request that record.

The Brazos County Clerk at 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 120, Bryan, TX 77803, phone 979-361-4128, handles records for deaths that occurred outside Bryan city limits, as well as all records from before January 1, 2019. More information is at brazoscountytx.gov/114/County-Clerk.

If you are not sure which office filed the record, start with the Brazos County Clerk. They can tell you whether the record was filed at the county level or through the city. For recent deaths, they may refer you to the City of Bryan vital statistics office.

Texas DSHS Vital Statistics at dshs.texas.gov/vs/death holds statewide copies for all Texas deaths from 1903 forward. DSHS is a reliable backup if you are unsure which local office has the record.

How to Get a Certified Death Certificate in Bryan

For deaths within Bryan city limits after January 1, 2019: contact the City of Bryan through bryantx.gov. The city website will have current contact information for the vital statistics function.

For deaths before January 1, 2019, or deaths outside city limits: go to the Brazos County Clerk at 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 120, Bryan, TX 77803. Phone: 979-361-4128. Fill out the request form, show your photo ID, and pay the fee. Same-day service is typical for in-person requests during normal business hours.

Mail requests to the Brazos County Clerk: send your completed form, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order payable to the Brazos County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 120, Bryan, TX 77803.

Online ordering through Texas.gov at texas.gov/texas-vital-records and VitalChek at vitalchek.com are available for DSHS-processed copies. These online options cover all Texas counties including Brazos.

The Texas.gov vital records page allows online ordering of certified death certificates for Brazos County and all other Texas counties.

Texas.gov and DSHS online ordering provide access to Brazos County death records including Bryan without needing to visit in person.

Who Can Request Bryan Death Records

Texas law restricts recent death records. Deaths less than 25 years old are not public. Only immediate family can get a certified copy of a recent death record. Immediate family includes a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent of the deceased.

Proving the relationship is required for recent records. Bring a birth certificate, marriage license, or similar document that links you to the deceased. The clerk will review your documents before processing the request.

Legal representatives, estate attorneys, and licensed funeral directors can access records when acting in official capacity. Bring your legal authorization documents to show you are permitted to request the record.

Records 25 years old and older are public records. Anyone with a valid ID and the fee can request them without needing to show a family connection.

All requesters must provide a valid photo ID under Texas SB 16. See accepted ID types at dshs.texas.gov.

Fees for Brazos County Death Certificates

The Brazos County Clerk charges $21 for the first certified copy of a death certificate and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. These standard Texas fees apply county-wide.

The City of Bryan may have its own fee schedule for city-registered records. Check the city website at bryantx.gov for current city vital records fees.

DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Expedited DSHS processing is $25.

At the county clerk, payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, use a check or money order. Do not send cash. Online orders through Texas.gov and VitalChek accept credit and debit cards.

Texas Vital Records Law

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 governs vital records registration and access. The full text is at statutes.capitol.texas.gov. It sets who must file a death certificate, how records are stored, and who can get a copy.

The split between city and county registration in Bryan since January 2019 is consistent with Chapter 191, which allows incorporated cities meeting certain size thresholds to serve as local registrars for deaths within their limits. Both the city and county registrar forward copies to DSHS for the statewide TxEVER system.

Deaths requiring investigation are governed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49 at statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Brazos County justices of the peace handle local inquests.

Fee rules are set in 25 TAC 181.31 at texreg.sos.state.tx.us.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Brazos County was formed in 1841 as one of the original Texas counties. Statewide death registration started in 1903, so official records go back to that year. Earlier records must be found in church archives, cemetery records, and historical newspapers.

FamilySearch at familysearch.org has a free Texas death records collection. Search by name for Brazos County entries.

Ancestry.com at ancestry.com holds Texas vital records for many years. Library computers at Brazos County libraries may offer free access to Ancestry.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) at tsl.texas.gov has microfilm and indexes for early Texas vital records. Brazos County entries from the early registration period may be accessible there.

Texas A&M University's Cushing Memorial Library and Archives in College Station is near Bryan and holds extensive Texas historical collections that can help with genealogy research, especially for the Brazos Valley region.

Nearby Cities

Other Texas cities with death records pages include College Station, Waco, and Houston.

County Resources

For county-level records, see the Brazos County records page.