Collingsworth County Death Records
Collingsworth County death records are held by the County Clerk in Wellington and have been maintained since 1903, when Texas established statewide death registration. Located in the eastern Texas Panhandle along the Oklahoma border, Collingsworth County is a small rural county on the edge of the Red River plains. Certified death certificates can be obtained at the courthouse in Wellington, by mail, or through the Texas DSHS online system.
Collingsworth County Overview
Collingsworth County Clerk Office
| Office | Collingsworth County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 W. Ave., Wellington, TX 79095 |
| Phone | (806) 447-2408 |
| 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 Collingsworth County Clerk's office at 800 W. Ave. in Wellington is the local repository for 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. Because this is a small rural office, call ahead at (806) 447-2408 before visiting to confirm staff availability.
All Collingsworth County death records are registered through TxEVER and archived at both the county and state level. The Texas DSHS holds a complete copy of all records and is often a more practical option for people outside the Wellington area. Either office can issue a certified copy from the same underlying record.
Getting a Certified Death Certificate
You can get a certified death certificate for a Collingsworth County death in person at the courthouse in Wellington, by mail to the county or state, or online through the Texas state portal.
In-person requests go to 800 W. Ave., Wellington, TX 79095. The fee is $21 for the first copy and $4 per additional copy ordered at the same time. Bring valid ID and proof of relationship for restricted records.
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 processing costs $25 extra. Include your form, ID copy, and payment.
Online orders go through Texas.gov or VitalChek. Service fees apply. Standard processing takes 7 to 14 business days. Call DSHS at (888) 963-7111 for urgent requests or visit their Austin walk-in office at 1100 W. 49th St.
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, plus authorized legal representatives. Proof of relationship and photo ID are required for restricted records. After 25 years, records are public. The rules are in 25 TAC Chapter 181.
Fees and Payment
The Collingsworth 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 (806) 447-2408 to confirm payment methods at the county office.
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
Collingsworth County death records from 1903 forward are held by the county clerk and DSHS. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds early vital records. FamilySearch provides free access to digitized Texas death records. Ancestry.com holds additional Texas vital record collections.
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 Collingsworth County
Collingsworth County is a small rural county in the Texas Panhandle. Wellington is the county seat and main community. No cities in Collingsworth County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
For death records in adjacent Panhandle counties, contact these neighboring clerks.