Brazos County Death Records
Brazos County death records are maintained by the County Clerk in Bryan and cover all deaths in the county since 1903. Home to Bryan and College Station, Brazos County has an important local note: deaths within Bryan or College Station city limits since January 1, 2019 are filed with the respective City Secretary's office, not the County Clerk. Certified death certificates can be requested from the county, the city offices, or the Texas DSHS.
Brazos County Overview
Brazos County Clerk Office
| Office | Brazos County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 E. 26th Street, Bryan, TX 77803 |
| Phone | (979) 361-4130 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | brazoscountytx.gov |
Note: Texas Senate Bill 16 requires valid photo ID for all official public record filings submitted at this office.
The Brazos County Clerk's office handles death certificates for deaths that occurred in unincorporated parts of Brazos County, as well as deaths within city limits before January 2019. For deaths that occurred within the city limits of Bryan or College Station on or after January 1, 2019, the record is held by the City Secretary's office for that city, not the county clerk.
Bryan vital records are handled at 300 S. Texas Avenue, Bryan, TX 77803. The Bryan City Secretary's office can be reached at (979) 209-5007. For College Station deaths since January 2019, contact the College Station City Secretary. This split between city and county is unusual and worth confirming before you make a trip to the courthouse.
For deaths before 2019 anywhere in Brazos County, or for deaths in the unincorporated county since 2019, the county clerk at 300 E. 26th Street in Bryan is the right contact. The office is open Monday through Friday and handles both walk-in and mail requests.
The Brazos County Clerk website provides contact information, office hours, and guidance on requesting vital records from the county.
The county clerk page lists current services, fees, and instructions for obtaining certified copies of death certificates in Brazos County.
Getting a Certified Death Certificate
Getting a certified death certificate in Brazos County depends on when and where the death occurred. Deaths before 2019 or in unincorporated areas go to the county clerk. Deaths within Bryan or College Station city limits since January 1, 2019 go to the respective City Secretary.
For in-person county clerk requests, visit 300 E. 26th Street in Bryan. Bring a valid photo ID and $21 for the first copy. Additional copies cost $4 each when ordered together. The office can usually process same-day walk-in requests.
For deaths within Bryan city limits since 2019, contact the Bryan City Secretary at 300 S. Texas Avenue, Bryan, TX 77803, (979) 209-5007. For College Station deaths, contact the College Station City Secretary directly.
Mail requests to the Texas DSHS go to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. The state holds records for all Brazos County deaths regardless of which local office holds the original. The DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Expedited service costs $25 more.
Online orders are available through Texas.gov or VitalChek. Service fees apply. Standard processing takes 7 to 14 business days. For urgent requests, the DSHS walk-in office at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756 may be able to help. Call (888) 963-7111 first.
Who Can Request Death Records
Texas restricts death certificates for 25 years after the date of death. After 25 years, the record is public. During the restricted period, only immediate family and certain authorized parties can request a certified copy.
Eligible family members include the deceased's spouse, parent, child, sibling, and grandparent. Attorneys, executors, and legal guardians acting for eligible family members can also request copies. You need valid photo ID and proof of your relationship.
The rules are set out in 25 TAC Chapter 181. Genealogists researching records over 25 years old do not need to show any relationship.
Fees and Payment
The Brazos County Clerk charges $21 for the first certified death certificate and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Cash, check, and money order are accepted. Call (979) 361-4130 to ask about card payments.
The Texas DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Expedited processing costs an extra $25. Online service fees apply through Texas.gov and VitalChek. Confirm current fees before sending payment, as rates may change.
Make checks payable to the Brazos County Clerk for county requests. For state requests, make checks payable to the Texas DSHS. The Bryan City Secretary office may have its own fee schedule, so call ahead if your request involves a post-2018 city death.
Texas Law and Death Record Requirements
Texas law requires death certificates to be filed within 10 days of death. The attending physician or medical examiner certifies the cause, and the funeral home processes the filing through TxEVER. The TxEVER system routes each certificate to the appropriate local registrar, which may be the county clerk or a city registrar depending on where the death occurred.
The legal basis for death registration is in Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 and Chapter 193. Chapter 191 covers the vital statistics system broadly. Chapter 193 sets the specific requirements for death records, including filing deadlines and what information must appear on the certificate.
For deaths under unusual circumstances, an inquiry may be required under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49. This process can delay certificate issuance until the official cause of death is determined.
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
Brazos County death records from 1903 forward are available through the county clerk and the Texas DSHS. For older records and genealogy research, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds early vital records and index cards from before modern electronic registration began.
FamilySearch offers free access to digitized Texas death records. Brazos County is well represented in their collection, with records going back over a century. Searching is free and does not require an account. This is a practical starting point for most genealogy research.
Ancestry.com also has Texas vital records, newspaper archives, and other sources that can help trace Brazos County deaths. The index is searchable for free, and a subscription unlocks full images. The county has a long history tied to Texas A&M University, and records from the Bryan-College Station area are generally well documented in major genealogy databases.
State-Level Death Record Requests
The Texas Department of State Health Services is the central repository for all Texas death records, including those from Brazos County. The DSHS holds records for deaths registered through TxEVER regardless of which local office handles the original filing.
Contact the DSHS vital statistics unit at (888) 963-7111. Mail requests to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Walk-in service is available at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756. Online orders go through Texas.gov or VitalChek.
The DSHS is especially useful when you are unsure whether the death is on file with the county clerk or a city registrar. The state holds a copy regardless of the local filing path. Review the DSHS acceptable IDs page to make sure your identification qualifies before submitting.
Cities in Brazos County
Brazos County includes the cities of Bryan and College Station, which together form the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area. Both cities have qualifying populations for dedicated pages on this site.
Nearby Counties
For death records in surrounding areas, contact the county clerks listed below.