Access Clay County Death Records
Clay County death records are maintained by the County Clerk in Henrietta and date back to 1903, when Texas began requiring statewide death registration. Located in North Texas south of Wichita Falls, Clay County is a rural county where the local clerk handles vital records for a small but consistent population. Certified death certificates can be obtained at the courthouse, by mail, or through the Texas DSHS or state online portal.
Clay County Overview
Clay County Clerk Office
| Office | Clay County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Bridge St., Henrietta, TX 76365 |
| Phone | (940) 538-4631 |
| 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 Clay County Clerk's office in Henrietta is the local repository for all death records in the county. The office handles in-person and mail requests, issues certified copies, and maintains the county archive going back to 1903. As a small rural office, calling ahead at (940) 538-4631 before your visit is recommended to make sure staff are available and to confirm what documents you need.
Clay County sits in the Red River region of North Texas. The county is primarily agricultural, and deaths in rural areas are sometimes registered with a slight delay as paperwork makes its way from funeral homes to the county office. All records eventually flow through TxEVER to both county and state archives.
If you are not able to visit Henrietta in person, the Texas DSHS is a reliable alternative. The state holds copies of all Clay County death certificates and can process requests from anywhere in the country by mail or online.
Getting a Certified Death Certificate
There are three main options for getting a certified death certificate for a Clay County death: in person at the county courthouse in Henrietta, by mail to the county or state, or online through the Texas state portal.
In-person requests go to 100 N. Bridge St., Henrietta, TX 76365. The fee is $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Bring valid ID and proof of relationship 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 per additional. Expedited orders cost $25 extra. Include your form, a copy of your ID, and payment.
Online orders go through Texas.gov or VitalChek. Service fees apply. Standard processing is 7 to 14 business days. Call the DSHS at (888) 963-7111 for urgent requests 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. Eligible immediate family includes the deceased's spouse, parent, child, sibling, and grandparent, along with authorized legal representatives. Proof of relationship and photo ID are required for restricted records. After 25 years, records are public. See 25 TAC Chapter 181 for the full rules.
Fees and Payment
The Clay County Clerk charges $21 for the first certified death certificate and $4 per additional copy. The DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 per additional, plus $25 for expedited processing. Online orders include a service fee. Call (940) 538-4631 to confirm payment methods at the county office before visiting.
Texas Law and Death Record Requirements
Texas requires death certificates within 10 days of death. Funeral homes process filings through TxEVER. The legal basis 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
Clay County historical records from 1903 forward are held by the county clerk and DSHS. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds early vital records and genealogy resources. FamilySearch provides free access to digitized Texas death records. Ancestry.com holds additional Texas vital record collections for research.
State-Level Death Record Requests
The Texas Department of State Health Services holds all Texas death records. 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. See the DSHS acceptable IDs page for ID requirements.
Cities in Clay County
Clay County includes the city of Henrietta as the county seat, along with smaller communities such as Byers and Petrolia. No cities in Clay County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
For death records in neighboring North Texas counties, contact these clerks.