Access Midland Death Records

Midland death records are held by the Midland County Clerk, which maintains vital records for deaths occurring in Midland and throughout the county. Midland County also has an online ordering portal for residents who prefer not to visit the courthouse. This page explains the office location, request methods, fees, and Texas law governing access.

Where to Get Midland Death Records

The Midland County Clerk handles death records for all of Midland County. The office is at 500 N Loraine Street in Midland, inside the county courthouse. If you need to send a mail request, use the P.O. Box address: P.O. Box 1350, Midland, TX 79702-1350.

Midland County has an online ordering portal at midlandtxvitals.permitium.com. This portal lets residents order certified copies without visiting the courthouse. It is a convenient option for those who cannot come in during regular hours.

The Texas.gov vital records portal is another online option that connects to the statewide TxEVER system. Orders placed through Texas.gov arrive in about 7 to 14 business days.

Online ordering is a good alternative to in-person visits, particularly for residents in the Permian Basin area who may find it inconvenient to visit the courthouse during business hours.

How to Get a Certified Copy

You can request a certified death certificate from Midland County four ways: in person, through the county's online portal, by mail, or through the Texas DSHS.

In person at 500 N Loraine Street. Show valid photo ID, complete the request form, and pay the fee. In-person requests are typically processed the same day during business hours.

Online through the county portal at midlandtxvitals.permitium.com, through Texas.gov, or through VitalChek. All three services add convenience fees on top of the standard certificate cost. Allow 7 to 14 business days for delivery.

By mail, send a completed application, a copy of your government-issued photo ID, and a check or money order to P.O. Box 1350, Midland, TX 79702-1350. Make the check payable to "Midland County Clerk." Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing and return mail.

Through DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vs/death. The state fee is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Expedited processing costs $25.

For any method, provide the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and Midland County as the location of death. Accurate information speeds up the search process.

Who Can Access These Records

Texas law restricts death records for 25 years following the date of death. During that period, only immediate family and a few other qualified people can obtain a certified copy. After 25 years the record becomes 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. Others with a documented legal need may request access on a case-by-case basis.

To access a restricted record, you must show photo ID and documentation of your relationship. Birth certificates, marriage licenses, or court orders typically establish the relationship. Contact the Midland County Clerk at 432-688-4401 to confirm what documents they require before visiting or mailing a request.

Records older than 25 years are fully public. Any person can request a copy with valid photo ID. No proof of family relationship is required. Records go back to 1903 in the statewide system.

Genealogists working on Midland County and Permian Basin family histories have access to older records through both the county clerk and digital genealogy platforms. The Midland area has a strong local history linked to the oil industry, and cemetery records and historical society materials often supplement official vital records.

Fees and Payment

Midland County charges $21 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. This is the standard Texas fee.

DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional. Expedited DSHS service is $25. The county's online portal and VitalChek add service fees on top of the base cost.

The Midland County Clerk accepts cash, check, and credit or debit card at the counter. Mail requests require a check or money order. Do not send cash by mail.

If you are managing an estate, you will likely need multiple certified copies. Insurance claims, bank accounts, property titles, and probate proceedings each typically require a separate original certified copy. Order them together to keep costs down, since the per-copy fee for additional copies is lower than the first copy.

Texas Law and Death Records

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 governs the registration and issuance of vital records statewide. Under Chapter 191, deaths must be registered within 10 days of the event and before burial or cremation. The attending physician or medical examiner certifies cause of death and signs the certificate.

After certification, the death certificate enters the TxEVER statewide electronic registration system. Once in TxEVER, the record is accessible through both the county clerk and the state DSHS. This is why the same record can often be obtained from either office.

Death investigations in Midland County follow Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49. Midland County uses a Medical Examiner's office to handle unattended and suspicious deaths. The medical examiner determines cause of death and signs the certificate in these cases.

The administrative rules governing death registration are in 25 TAC 181.31. These rules apply to all county clerks and local registrars in Texas.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Midland County death records go back to 1903. The county's history as a Permian Basin oil center means significant growth in the mid-20th century, and records from that period reflect the rapid population changes in the area.

FamilySearch has free access to Texas death records including Midland County. The site covers records from the early 1900s and includes images of many original certificates. No subscription is required.

Ancestry.com has a large Texas death records collection with strong search tools. A paid subscription is needed. The site is particularly useful for searching across multiple years when you do not know the exact date of death.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin holds statewide records and provides research guides for all Texas counties. The Midland County Historical Society also holds local materials that may help fill in gaps in the official record.

Cemetery records are a valuable supplement for Midland County research. Local cemeteries date back to the late 1800s, and indexed cemetery records are often available through genealogy societies and FamilySearch.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in the region with death records pages: El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo.

County Resources

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