Find Death Records in Carrollton

Carrollton death records may be held by either Denton County or Dallas County because Carrollton spans both counties. The county that holds the record depends on where within the city the death occurred. This page covers both county clerk offices, how to figure out which one you need, and how to request certified copies.

Where to Get Carrollton Death Records

Carrollton straddles the Denton-Dallas county line, so the right office depends on the specific address where the death occurred. Most of Carrollton lies within Denton County, but a portion in the southeastern part of the city falls within Dallas County.

For deaths in the Denton County portion, contact the Denton County Clerk. The Carrollton branch is conveniently located at 1029 West Rosemeade Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75007, phone (940) 349-4400. The main office is in Denton at 1450 E. McKinney Street, Suite 1103, phone 940-349-2012.

For deaths in the Dallas County portion, contact the Dallas County Clerk at 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202, phone 214-653-7099.

If you are not sure which county had jurisdiction over the address where the death occurred, a quick call to either county clerk is the fastest way to find out. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

The Texas.gov vital records portal searches the TxEVER statewide system regardless of which county holds the record. This is often the simplest option if you are not sure which county applies. Online orders arrive in about 7 to 14 business days.

The statewide portal handles all Texas records in one place, which makes it especially useful for cities like Carrollton that cross county lines.

How to Get a Certified Copy

You can request a Carrollton death certificate in person, online, by mail, or through DSHS. The process is the same at both county clerk offices.

In person at the Denton County Carrollton branch (1029 West Rosemeade Parkway) or at the Dallas County Clerk (500 Elm Street, Dallas). Show valid photo ID, complete the request form, and pay the fee. Same-day processing is typical for in-person visits.

Online through Texas.gov or VitalChek. Both connect to the statewide TxEVER system. A service fee is added on top of the certificate cost. Delivery takes about 7 to 14 business days.

By mail to the appropriate county clerk. For Denton County, mail to the main office at 1450 E. McKinney Street, Suite 1103, Denton, TX 76209. For Dallas County, mail to 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202. Send a completed application, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow 3 to 4 weeks.

Through DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vs/death. State fees are $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional. Expedited service is $25.

When submitting a request for a Carrollton death, always specify the address or neighborhood if you know it, so the office can quickly determine which county's records to search.

Who Can Access These Records

Texas restricts death records for 25 years after the date of death. Only immediate family and certain other qualified people can get a restricted record. After 25 years, the record is public.

Immediate family includes the spouse, parent, child, sibling, and grandparent of the deceased. Attorneys acting for the estate and licensed funeral directors may also qualify.

To get a restricted record, show photo ID and proof of your relationship. Documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, or court orders typically work. Contact the appropriate county clerk before visiting or mailing to confirm what they require.

Records older than 25 years are fully public. Any person can request a copy with valid photo ID. No family relationship needs to be shown. Records go back to 1903 statewide.

For genealogy researchers, both Denton and Dallas county records from the early 1900s through the late 1990s have been indexed and are searchable online through FamilySearch and Ancestry. Using the statewide DSHS system or Texas.gov portal is often the easiest approach when you are unsure which county holds an older Carrollton record.

Fees and Payment

Both Denton County and Dallas County charge the standard Texas fee: $21 for the first certified copy and $4 per additional copy ordered at the same time.

DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional. Expedited DSHS processing is $25. Online service providers add their own service fees on top of the base amounts.

Both county clerks accept cash, check, and credit or debit card at the counter. Mail requests need a check or money order made out to the appropriate county clerk. Do not send cash by mail.

If you need multiple copies for estate purposes, order them all at once. The per-copy cost for additional copies is lower than the first. Banks, insurance companies, and courts often each need their own original certified copy.

Texas Law and Death Records

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 governs vital records statewide, including in both Denton and Dallas counties. The 25-year restriction, registration deadlines, and certified copy procedures are all set by this statute.

Under Chapter 191, a death must be registered within 10 days and before burial or cremation. The attending physician or medical examiner certifies cause of death. Once registered through TxEVER, the record is accessible at both the county and state level.

Both Denton and Dallas counties have Medical Examiner offices for deaths requiring investigation. The legal basis for these investigations is in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49. The medical examiner certifies cause of death in unattended and suspicious cases.

Administrative registration rules are in 25 TAC 181.31. These rules apply equally to both county clerks handling Carrollton records.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Carrollton's location at the junction of Denton and Dallas counties means genealogical records can be split between two separate county archives. Using the statewide TxEVER system or a digital genealogy platform tends to be the most efficient starting point for older records.

FamilySearch offers free access to Texas death records for both Dallas and Denton counties. The site covers records from 1903 and includes images of many original certificates. This is a good first stop for genealogy research since it searches across both county collections.

Ancestry.com has a large Texas collection with strong county-level filters. A paid subscription is required. The platform is useful for cross-referencing death records with census data, city directories, and other historical documents.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds statewide records and research guides. The Carrollton Public Library also maintains local history collections that may help supplement the official records for this area of North Texas.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in the area with death records pages: Dallas, Denton, Lewisville, Irving, Garland.

County Resources

For county-level records, see the Denton County records page and the Dallas County records page.