Blanco County Death Records
Blanco County death records are filed with the County Clerk in Johnson City and have been maintained since 1903, when Texas established a statewide system for registering deaths. If you need a certified copy for probate, insurance, or other legal purposes, you can request one at the courthouse, by mail, or through the state's online ordering portal. The clerk's office holds original death certificates for all deaths that occurred in Blanco County and can assist with both recent filings and older historical records.
Blanco County Overview
Blanco County Clerk Office
| Office | Blanco County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 E. Pecan Dr., Johnson City, TX 78636 |
| Phone | (830) 868-7357 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | dshs.texas.gov |
Note: Texas Senate Bill 16 requires valid photo ID for all official public record filings submitted at this office.
The Blanco County Clerk serves as the local custodian of vital records for all deaths that took place within the county. The office files death certificates, issues certified copies, and handles requests from families, attorneys, and researchers. Staff can also help you navigate the process if you are unsure which office has the record you need.
Walk-in service is available during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to state your relationship to the deceased, as some records are restricted. If you cannot visit in person, you can mail a written request with a copy of your ID and a check or money order for the applicable fee.
For deaths in Blanco County, the clerk's office receives a copy of the death certificate from the state. The original filing goes through the Texas Electronic Vital Events Registrar, known as TxEVER, before a local copy is retained. This means the county and the state both hold records, giving you two ways to get a certified copy.
Getting a Certified Death Certificate
There are three main ways to get a certified death certificate for a death in Blanco County: in person at the county clerk's office, by mail to the county or to the state, or online through the state's ordering system.
For in-person requests, visit the Blanco County Clerk at 101 E. Pecan Dr. in Johnson City. Bring a valid photo ID and payment of $21 for the first certified copy. Additional copies cost $4 each when ordered at the same time. This is usually the fastest option, and you may be able to get your copy the same day.
Mail requests go to the county clerk at the address above or to the Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin. Mail your completed request form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order. The DSHS mailing address is P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. State fees differ slightly from county fees, so check the current schedule before sending payment.
Online orders can be placed through Texas.gov or VitalChek. Both platforms are authorized by the state and charge a service fee in addition to the certificate cost. Online orders typically take 7 to 14 business days to arrive.
If you need a copy urgently, the DSHS walk-in office at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756 accepts in-person requests and can sometimes process them faster. Call the DSHS vital statistics line at (888) 963-7111 with questions about processing times.
Who Can Request Death Records
Texas restricts access to death certificates for 25 years after the date of death. During this period, only certain people can get a certified copy. After 25 years, the record becomes public and anyone can request it.
During the restricted period, eligible requesters include the deceased person's spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent. Executors, legal guardians, and attorneys acting on behalf of an eligible person may also request copies. You will need to show proof of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or court documents, along with your photo ID.
The rules for restricted records come from 25 TAC Chapter 181, which sets out who qualifies as an immediate family member and what documentation is needed. The county clerk and DSHS both follow these rules.
If you are doing genealogy research on records more than 25 years old, no relationship proof is needed. These older records are treated as public documents and can be requested by any person for any reason.
Fees and Payment
The Blanco County Clerk charges $21 for the first certified death certificate copy. Each additional copy of the same record, ordered at the same time, costs $4. Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order. Call ahead to confirm whether the office accepts credit or debit cards.
The Texas DSHS charges $20 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. If you need expedited processing, the state charges $25 extra. These fees apply to both mail and walk-in requests at the DSHS office in Austin. Online orders through Texas.gov or VitalChek include a service fee on top of the base certificate cost.
Fees are set by statute and are the same across Texas for state-level requests. County fees may vary slightly from the state rate. Always confirm current fees before mailing a check, as rates can change. Checks should be made payable to the Blanco County Clerk for county requests, or to the Texas DSHS for state requests.
Texas Law and Death Record Requirements
Texas law requires that a death certificate be filed within 10 days of death. The attending physician or medical examiner completes the medical portion, and the funeral home handles the filing. The legal framework for death records in Texas is found in Health and Safety Code Chapter 191, which covers the vital statistics system, and Chapter 193, which deals specifically with death records.
All death certificates in Texas are processed through the TxEVER system. This is the state's electronic platform for vital events registration. It connects funeral homes, medical providers, and government offices so that records move quickly from the point of death to the official registry.
When a death occurs under unusual circumstances, the local justice of the peace or medical examiner may take jurisdiction. Rules for these investigations appear in Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49. In those cases, the death certificate may not be issued until the investigation is complete, which can delay access to the record.
The Texas.gov vital records portal allows online ordering of certified death certificates from anywhere in the state.
Online orders are processed by the state and typically arrive within 7 to 14 business days.
Historical Death Records and Genealogy
Blanco County death records dating back to 1903 can be found through several sources. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission, known as TSLAC, holds historical vital records and makes some available through its genealogy resources page. These include early death registers and index cards from before electronic filing began.
For free online searching, FamilySearch has digitized many Texas death records from the early 1900s through the mid-20th century. You can search by name, county, and year without creating an account. The site is run by the LDS Church and is a trusted resource for genealogists.
Ancestry.com also holds a large collection of Texas vital records. Some records require a paid subscription, but the index is often searchable for free. If you find a death record in the index, you can decide whether to subscribe to view the full image.
For very early Blanco County records before 1903, look at probate records, church registers, and cemetery records. The county seat of Johnson City and surrounding communities have local historical societies that may hold older documents not yet digitized.
State-Level Death Record Requests
The Texas Department of State Health Services is the state agency that manages all vital records in Texas. The DSHS vital statistics unit holds death certificates for deaths that occurred anywhere in the state since 1903. You can reach them at (888) 963-7111 or visit their vital statistics page for forms and instructions.
Mail requests go to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. In-person requests can be made at the DSHS walk-in office at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756 during regular business hours. The DSHS also accepts requests for acceptable ID documentation through their acceptable IDs page.
For online orders, the state has partnered with Texas.gov and VitalChek to provide a secure ordering system. Both sites allow you to upload your ID and pay by credit card. Orders placed online go through the same verification process as mail requests. Processing times are generally 7 to 14 business days for standard orders and faster for expedited requests.
If the death occurred in Blanco County and you are not sure whether to contact the county clerk or the state, either office can help. Both hold copies of the same records. The county clerk may be more convenient for local residents, while the state is the right contact for deaths going back many decades or for records where the county of death is uncertain.
Cities in Blanco County
Blanco County is a rural county in the Texas Hill Country. Johnson City is the county seat. No cities in Blanco County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Death records for surrounding areas may be held by neighboring county clerks. Browse nearby counties below.