Richardson Death Records Search

Richardson death records may be held by either Dallas County or Collin County because the city spans both county lines. The correct office depends on where within Richardson the death occurred. This page covers both county clerk offices, how to determine which applies, and how to request certified copies under Texas law.

Where to Get Richardson Death Records

Richardson sits on the Dallas-Collin county line. Most of the city is in Dallas County, but the northern portion is in Collin County. The county where the specific address falls determines which county clerk holds the death record.

For deaths in the Dallas County portion of Richardson, contact the Dallas County Clerk at 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202, phone 214-653-7099. The Dallas County Clerk also has a Richardson-area phone number at 214-904-3042.

For deaths in the Collin County portion, contact the Collin County Clerk at 2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 2124, McKinney, TX 75071, phone 972-548-4185.

If you are not certain which county covers the address where the death occurred, calling either clerk is a quick way to find out. Both offices are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

The Texas.gov vital records portal searches the TxEVER statewide system across all counties in a single search. This is often the most convenient option for Richardson residents who are not sure which county to contact. Online orders arrive in about 7 to 14 business days.

The statewide portal is particularly useful for cities like Richardson that cross county lines, since it searches both Dallas and Collin county records at once.

How to Get a Certified Copy

You can request a Richardson death certificate in person at either county clerk office, online, by mail, or through the Texas DSHS.

In person at the Dallas County Clerk (500 Elm Street, Dallas) or the Collin County Clerk (2300 Bloomdale Road, McKinney). Show valid photo ID, complete the request form, and pay the fee. In-person requests are typically processed the same day.

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

By mail to the appropriate county clerk. For Dallas County, send to 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202. For Collin County, send to 2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 2124, McKinney, TX 75071. Include a completed application, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order, and 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 any request for a Richardson death, noting the specific address or neighborhood helps the office confirm which county to search.

Who Can Access These Records

Texas restricts death records for 25 years after the date of death. Immediate family and a few other qualified people can access restricted records. After 25 years, the record becomes public.

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

To access a restricted record, show photo ID and proof of your relationship to the deceased. Birth certificates, marriage licenses, and court orders typically establish the relationship. Contact the appropriate county clerk before visiting to confirm what documents are needed.

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. Texas records go back to 1903 in the statewide system.

Genealogists have access to older records from both Dallas and Collin counties through FamilySearch, Ancestry, and the county clerk offices. Both counties have large collections going back to the early 1900s.

Fees and Payment

Both Dallas and Collin counties 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 platforms 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 require a check or money order payable to the appropriate county clerk. Do not mail cash.

For estate administration, order all the certified copies you need at once. The lower per-copy rate for additional copies makes a single bulk order less expensive than multiple separate requests over time.

Texas Law and Death Records

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 governs vital records statewide. Both Dallas and Collin county clerks operate under Chapter 191, which sets the 25-year restriction, registration deadlines, and certified copy procedures.

All Texas deaths are registered through the TxEVER statewide system. Once in TxEVER, a record is accessible from the county clerk and from DSHS. This is why the same record can be requested from either office.

Both Dallas and Collin counties have Medical Examiner offices for deaths requiring investigation. The legal framework for these investigations is in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49. Medical examiners certify cause of death in unattended and suspicious cases.

Administrative registration rules are in 25 TAC 181.31. These rules govern all county clerks in Texas.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Both Dallas and Collin county death records go back to 1903. Richardson's location along the boundary of the two counties means genealogy research may require checking both archives, although the statewide online systems make that less of a hurdle than it once was.

FamilySearch has free access to Texas death records for both Dallas and Collin counties. The site covers records from the early 1900s and includes images of many original certificates. No subscription is needed.

Ancestry.com has a large Texas collection with good filtering for county and year. A paid subscription is required. The platform is useful for cross-referencing death records with census data and city directories, which can help locate records when the exact date or county is uncertain.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds statewide records and genealogy research guides. The Richardson Public Library and the Collin County Historical Society also hold regional history materials that may supplement official vital records for the North Dallas area.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in the area with death records pages: Dallas, Plano, Garland, Frisco, McKinney.

County Resources

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