Search Burleson County Death Records
Burleson County death records are held by the County Clerk in Caldwell and date back to 1903. Note that the county seat is the city of Caldwell, which is not the same as Caldwell County. Burleson County is a rural county in south-central Texas between Austin and Bryan. Certified death certificates can be requested at the courthouse in Caldwell, by mail, or through the Texas DSHS.
Burleson County Overview
Burleson County Clerk Office
| Office | Burleson County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 W. Buck Street, Suite 104, Caldwell, TX 77836 |
| Phone | (979) 567-2329 |
| 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 Burleson County Clerk's office at 100 W. Buck Street in Caldwell handles death records for all deaths in the county. The office issues certified copies, processes mail requests, and maintains the county archive of vital records going back over a century. If you are not sure whether your record is on file locally or at the state level, the clerk's staff can help clarify.
The county seat of Caldwell, TX should not be confused with Caldwell County, which is a separate county with its own seat at Lockhart. If you accidentally contact Caldwell County looking for Burleson County records, you will be directed elsewhere. The address listed above is in Burleson County.
Because Burleson County is a smaller rural county, calling ahead before visiting is a good practice. The office handles requests for records going back to 1903 and can provide guidance on what documentation you need based on the age of the record and your relationship to the deceased.
Getting a Certified Death Certificate
You can get a certified death certificate for a Burleson County death in person at the county clerk's office in Caldwell, by mailing a request to the county or state, or online through the Texas state portal.
In-person requests go to 100 W. Buck Street, Suite 104, Caldwell, TX 77836. The fee is $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Bring your photo ID and any relationship documentation if the record is under 25 years old.
Mail requests to the Texas DSHS go to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. The state charges $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional. Expedited orders cost $25 extra. Include your completed form and a copy of your photo ID.
Online orders go through Texas.gov or VitalChek. Service fees apply. Standard orders arrive in 7 to 14 business days. For urgent requests, 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 from the date of death. After 25 years, the record is public. During the restricted period, eligible requesters include the deceased's spouse, parent, child, sibling, and grandparent, plus authorized legal representatives.
Proof of relationship is required for restricted records, along with a valid photo ID. The rules are in 25 TAC Chapter 181. Genealogists researching records over 25 years old may request them freely without proving a relationship.
Fees and Payment
The Burleson County Clerk charges $21 for the first certified death certificate and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Call (979) 567-2329 to confirm accepted payment methods. Cash, check, and money orders are standard for county offices.
The Texas DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 per additional copy. Expedited processing adds $25. Online orders through Texas.gov and VitalChek include a service fee. Always verify the current fee before sending payment.
Texas Law and Death Record Requirements
Texas requires death certificates to be filed within 10 days of death. Funeral homes process filings through TxEVER, the state's electronic system. The legal framework is in Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 and Chapter 193. Unusual deaths may require an inquiry under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49.
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
Historical Burleson County death records from 1903 forward are held by the county clerk and the DSHS. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds early vital records and registers for genealogy research.
FamilySearch provides free access to digitized Texas death records. Ancestry.com holds additional Texas vital record collections. Both are good resources for finding older Burleson County deaths without contacting the county office.
State-Level Death Record Requests
The Texas Department of State Health Services holds death records for all Texas counties. Call (888) 963-7111. Mail: P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Walk-in: 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756. Online: Texas.gov and VitalChek. Check the DSHS acceptable IDs page before submitting your request.
Cities in Burleson County
Burleson County is a small rural county with Caldwell as the county seat. No cities in Burleson County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
For death records in adjacent areas, contact the clerks in these neighboring counties.