Fort Worth Death Records

Fort Worth death records are handled by the Tarrant County Clerk, as the city does not operate its own separate vital records office. The county clerk holds certified death certificates for Fort Worth and all other Tarrant County communities. This page explains how to request records, who qualifies, what you pay, and what state law requires.

Where to Get Fort Worth Death Records

Fort Worth does not have a city vital records office. All death records for Fort Worth are held by the Tarrant County Clerk. This is true for deaths within city limits and for the surrounding county area. The county clerk is the only local office that can issue certified copies.

Note that Arlington, which is also in Tarrant County, maintains its own separate vital records office. Arlington records are not available through the Tarrant County Clerk. For deaths in Fort Worth, Tarrant County is the right place to go.

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

You can get a Fort Worth death certificate from the Tarrant County Clerk in person, by mail, or online through the state system.

In person at 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301, Fort Worth TX 76102. Bring your application form, a valid photo ID, and payment. Most in-person requests are filled the same day during regular business hours.

By mail, send a completed application, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to Tarrant County Clerk. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing and return. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope to speed things up.

Online through VitalChek or the Texas.gov portal. Both carry an added service fee. Delivery is typically 7 to 14 business days. VitalChek lets you choose between standard and expedited shipping.

If the county cannot locate the record, contact DSHS at (888) 963-7111 or visit dshs.texas.gov/vs/death.

Who Can Request Death Records

Texas restricts access to death records less than 25 years old. These records are not open to the public. Only specific people can get a certified copy of a recent death certificate.

Eligible requesters include the spouse, parent, adult child, or sibling of the deceased. Legal representatives, attorneys working on the estate, and individuals with a valid court order also qualify. If you are outside those categories, you may still request a restricted record if you can show a direct and tangible interest and explain the reason.

Death records 25 years or older are public records. Anyone can request a copy without showing a relationship to the deceased. The fee still applies.

At the Tarrant County Clerk, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Mail requests require a photocopy of your ID with the application. If someone is picking up on your behalf, they need written authorization plus their own ID. Check acceptable ID types at the DSHS acceptable ID page.

Fees and Payment

Tarrant County charges $21 for the first certified copy of a death certificate and $4 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Call 817-884-1550 to confirm current fees before visiting.

State DSHS fees are $20 for the first copy and $3 per additional copy, with $25 extra for expedited processing. These apply when you order directly from the state rather than the county clerk.

Online orders through VitalChek or the Texas.gov portal add a service fee and shipping charge on top of the base cost. Credit and debit cards are accepted online. The county clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and most cards in person. Mail requests require check or money order payable to Tarrant County Clerk.

All fees are non-refundable. If the record is not found, the search fee still applies. Double-check the name spelling, date of death, and county before submitting your request to avoid failed searches.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

Texas death registration is covered by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 191. That chapter defines the filing requirements, the 10-day deadline, and the process for amending records.

When a death occurs, the attending physician certifies the cause. The funeral director then files the certificate with the local registrar. For Fort Worth, the Tarrant County Clerk serves as the local registrar.

Deaths investigated by a justice of the peace or medical examiner fall under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 49. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner handles these cases for Fort Worth and surrounding areas.

All Texas vital records are filed electronically through TxEVER. Funeral homes submit directly into TxEVER, and once the record is confirmed, the county clerk can issue certified copies. This system replaced paper-based filing and speeds up the time between a death and when copies are available.

Access rules for restricted records are in 25 Texas Administrative Code Section 181.31.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Fort Worth and Tarrant County death records date back to 1903 in the statewide index. Older county records and estate filings may go back further in the courthouse archives.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds statewide death indexes and historical certificates. Their genealogy research guide is a useful first stop for older searches.

FamilySearch has digitized Texas death records from the early 1900s onward and offers free access online. Their Texas collection includes Tarrant County records and is searchable by name and date.

Ancestry.com carries Texas death indexes and images as well. A subscription is required for full records, though Fort Worth Public Library locations offer free Ancestry access in the library.

Tarrant County Probate Court records may also help with deaths from earlier eras. Estate files, guardianship records, and old inquest records can fill gaps when vital records are missing or incomplete.

State-Level Death Record Requests

If the Tarrant County Clerk cannot locate a record, you can go directly to the Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS holds all Texas death records registered in TxEVER and can issue certified copies statewide.

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 forms and general information. Death-specific details are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/death.

DSHS mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks. Ordering through the Texas.gov vital records portal is faster, typically 7 to 14 business days.

Nearby Cities

Other cities near Fort Worth with death records pages include Arlington, Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and Lewisville.

County Resources

All Fort Worth death records are filed with the Tarrant County Clerk.