Access Briscoe County Death Records
Briscoe County death records are filed with the County Clerk in Silverton and have been maintained since 1903, when Texas began requiring statewide death registration. The county is rural and sparsely populated, sitting on the edge of the Caprock in the Texas Panhandle region. Certified death certificates can be requested from the county clerk, by mail to the Texas DSHS, or through the state's online ordering system.
Briscoe County Overview
Briscoe County Clerk Office
| Office | Briscoe County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 415 Main Street, Silverton, TX 79257 |
| Phone | (806) 823-2134 |
| 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 Briscoe County Clerk in Silverton is a small office that handles vital records, real property documents, and court filings for a county with just a few thousand residents. Call ahead before visiting to confirm office availability and to find out exactly what you will need to bring. Staff are typically available during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
Because the county is remote and the population is small, many people find it more practical to request records through the Texas DSHS rather than driving to Silverton. The state holds copies of all Briscoe County death certificates and can process requests by mail or online.
For in-person visits, bring valid photo ID and any relationship documentation if the death was within the last 25 years. Have the full name of the deceased and the approximate date of death ready to provide to the clerk.
Getting a Certified Death Certificate
There are three ways to get a certified death certificate for a Briscoe County death: in person at the Silverton courthouse, by mail to the county or state, or online through the Texas state portal.
In-person requests go to 415 Main Street, Silverton, TX 79257. The fee is $21 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of relationship if the record is restricted.
Mail requests to the Texas DSHS go to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Include your completed form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order. The DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Expedited processing costs $25 extra.
Online orders are available through Texas.gov or VitalChek. A service fee applies on top of the certificate cost. Standard orders arrive within 7 to 14 business days. For faster service, call the DSHS at (888) 963-7111 or visit the walk-in office at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756.
Who Can Request Death Records
Texas restricts death certificates for 25 years after the date of death. During this period, only immediate family and authorized parties can get a certified copy. After 25 years, the record is public and available to anyone.
Eligible immediate family members include the deceased's spouse, parent, child, sibling, and grandparent. Attorneys, executors, and legal guardians acting on behalf of eligible family members can also request copies. You need proof of your relationship and a valid photo ID.
Access rules are in 25 TAC Chapter 181. Genealogists researching older records do not need to show any relationship to access records over 25 years old.
Fees and Payment
The Briscoe County Clerk charges $21 for the first certified death certificate and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Call (806) 823-2134 to confirm accepted payment methods. Cash and money orders are typically safe for small rural offices.
The Texas DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 per additional copy. Expedited processing costs $25 extra. Online orders through Texas.gov and VitalChek include a service fee. Confirm current fees before mailing payment, as rates can change over time.
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. Funeral homes process filings through TxEVER, the state's electronic vital events system. Records are routed to both county and state archives through this platform.
The legal basis for death records is in Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 and Chapter 193. Chapter 191 covers the vital statistics system. Chapter 193 sets requirements for death records, including who must file and what the certificate must contain.
For unusual or suspicious deaths, an inquiry may proceed under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49. The certificate will not be issued until the investigation is complete.
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
Briscoe County historical records from 1903 forward are held by the county clerk and the Texas DSHS. For genealogy research and older records, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds early vital records indexes and county registers.
FamilySearch offers free access to digitized Texas death records from the early and mid-1900s. Search by name, county, and year without an account. FamilySearch coverage for smaller Panhandle counties is generally good going back to the early years of statewide registration.
Ancestry.com holds Texas vital records collections. The index is searchable at no cost, and full images may require a subscription. For a county like Briscoe with a small population, online databases are usually more efficient than contacting the local clerk for older research.
State-Level Death Record Requests
The Texas Department of State Health Services holds death records for all Texas counties. For Briscoe County residents or researchers who are not near Silverton, the DSHS is a convenient alternative to the local clerk.
Call (888) 963-7111. Mail to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Walk-in service: 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756. Online orders through Texas.gov and VitalChek are also available. Check the DSHS acceptable IDs page before submitting.
Cities in Briscoe County
Briscoe County is a small rural county in the Texas Panhandle. Silverton is the county seat and largest community. No cities in Briscoe County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
For death records in adjacent areas, the following county clerks may be relevant.