Find Dallas Death Records

Dallas death records for deaths inside city limits are filed with the Dallas Bureau of Vital Statistics, while the Dallas County Clerk holds records for deaths that occurred elsewhere in the county and offers an online ordering portal. This page walks through both offices, what to bring, how much it costs, and the rules that govern access.

Where to Get Dallas Death Records

Dallas operates its own Bureau of Vital Statistics for deaths that occurred inside city limits. This is the first office to contact for any death registered in the City of Dallas. The Dallas County Clerk is the backup source and handles deaths in the rest of the county.

The county also has an online portal through Permitium where you can order certified copies without visiting an office in person. That portal is at dallascountytxvitals.permitium.com.

Dallas County Clerk is at 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas TX 75202, phone (214) 653-7099. More at dallascounty.org.

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 are available in person at the city office or county clerk, by mail, or online through the county portal or VitalChek.

In person at 1515 Young St. is the fastest method. Bring a valid photo ID, a filled-out application, and payment. Most requests are filled the same day. The county clerk at 500 Elm Street also accepts walk-ins during business hours.

By mail, send your completed application, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to the Dallas Bureau of Vital Statistics. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing and return. Include a stamped return envelope.

Online through the county Permitium portal at dallascountytxvitals.permitium.com or through VitalChek. Both carry an additional service fee. Delivery runs 7 to 14 business days depending on shipping speed.

If neither the city nor county has the record you need, contact DSHS directly at (888) 963-7111 or visit dshs.texas.gov/vs/death.

Who Can Request Death Records

Death records less than 25 years old are restricted in Texas. Not everyone can get a certified copy of a recent death certificate.

Authorized requesters include the surviving spouse, a parent, an adult child, a sibling, a legal guardian, an attorney acting on the estate's behalf, and anyone with a valid court order. You can also request a restricted record if you can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in it and explain why.

Records that are 25 years or older are open to the public. You still pay the fee, but no family relationship is required. Anyone can request a copy of an older death certificate.

At the Dallas city office or county clerk, you will show a valid photo ID when you pick up. For mail requests, include a photocopy of your ID with the application. Acceptable ID types are listed at the DSHS acceptable ID page. If an agent is picking up on your behalf, they need written authorization and their own ID.

Fees and Payment

The Dallas Bureau of Vital Statistics charges $21 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $4.

Dallas County Clerk fees may differ slightly. Call (214) 653-7099 to confirm before you go.

State DSHS fees are $20 for the first copy and $3 per additional copy. Expedited processing through DSHS adds $25. Those fees apply when you order directly from the state rather than the city or county office.

Online portals add a service fee on top of the base amount, plus shipping. Credit and debit cards are accepted online. In-person, the city and county clerk accept cash, check, money order, and most cards. Mail requests require check or money order only. Do not send cash in the mail.

Fees are non-refundable even if the record cannot be found. Use exact name spelling and an accurate death date and location to avoid failed searches and wasted fees.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

Texas death certificate requirements come from the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 191. That chapter defines what goes into a death certificate, who files it, and the 10-day filing deadline from the date of death.

The attending physician certifies the cause of death. The funeral director files the certificate with the local registrar. In Dallas, that is the Bureau of Vital Statistics for deaths inside city limits.

Unattended or suspicious deaths go through the Dallas County Medical Examiner. Those cases are governed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 49, which sets out inquest rules for justices of the peace and medical examiners.

All Texas vital records are registered electronically through TxEVER. Once a death certificate clears TxEVER, it can be issued as a certified copy by any authorized local registrar, including the Dallas city office and county clerk.

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

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Dallas death records go back to 1903 in the statewide index. Older records may exist in county deed books, probate files, and local cemetery registers. The Dallas County Courthouse holds many older estate and probate records tied to deaths from the 1800s.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has death indexes and older certificates. Their genealogy research guide explains what is available and how to request it.

FamilySearch provides free online access to Texas death record collections. Their database covers many early 20th century death certificates and some older county records. Search by name and filter by county to narrow results.

Ancestry.com carries Texas death indexes, images, and county records. Subscription required for full records, though Dallas Public Library branches offer free in-library access.

Dallas County Archives and the Dallas History and Archives Division at the Dallas Public Library are also worth checking for older death-related records, newspaper obituaries, and funeral home records from the early 1900s.

State-Level Death Record Requests

The Texas Department of State Health Services is the statewide authority for vital records. If the city or county office can't locate a record, DSHS is the next step.

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

Visit dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics for general info and dshs.texas.gov/vs/death for death certificate details.

DSHS mail orders can take 4 to 6 weeks. Online orders through the Texas.gov vital records portal arrive in 7 to 14 business days. For any Texas death registered in TxEVER, DSHS can issue a certified copy.

Nearby Cities

Cities near Dallas with death records pages include Fort Worth, Irving, Garland, Plano, Grand Prairie, and Mesquite.

County Resources

For deaths in the county outside city limits, see the Dallas County records page.