Access Concho County Death Records
Concho County death records are filed with the County Clerk in Paint Rock and date back to 1903. Located in the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau in West Texas, Concho County is a remote, sparsely populated county along the Concho River. Certified death certificates can be requested at the courthouse in Paint Rock, by mail to the county or state, or through the Texas DSHS online portal.
Concho County Overview
Concho County Clerk Office
| Office | Concho County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 152 N. Camp St., Paint Rock, TX 76866 |
| Phone | (325) 732-4322 |
| 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 Concho County Clerk's office at 152 N. Camp St. in Paint Rock is one of the smaller county clerk offices in Texas. Paint Rock is a very small community, and the clerk's office serves a county with just a few thousand residents. Call ahead at (325) 732-4322 before visiting to make sure someone is available and to confirm what you need to bring.
Because Concho County is remote and its population is small, the Texas DSHS is often the most practical way to request death records. The state holds copies of all Concho County death certificates and can process mail and online requests from anywhere in the country. All records are registered through TxEVER and available at both the county and state levels.
For those who can visit Paint Rock, the county clerk handles walk-in requests during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to explain your relationship to the deceased if the record is under 25 years old. The clerk can tell you whether the specific record you need is on file and what the turnaround time will be.
Getting a Certified Death Certificate
You can get a certified death certificate for a Concho County death in person at the Paint Rock courthouse, by mail to the county or state, or online through the Texas state portal.
In-person requests go to 152 N. Camp St., Paint Rock, TX 76866. 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. Call (325) 732-4322 ahead of time since Paint Rock is a small community.
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. For urgent requests, call DSHS at (888) 963-7111 or visit their 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, 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 Concho 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. Cash and money orders are typically safe for small rural offices. Call (325) 732-4322 to ask about card payments 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. In remote counties like Concho, the justice of the peace often handles these inquiries given the distances involved.
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
Concho 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 and genealogy resources. FamilySearch provides free access to digitized Texas death records, including records from smaller West Texas counties. Ancestry.com holds additional Texas vital record collections for broader genealogy research.
For a county this remote and small, online databases are often the most practical starting point for genealogy research. The local records going back over a century are indexed at the state level and through FamilySearch, meaning you do not necessarily need to contact the county clerk to begin your search.
State-Level Death Record Requests
The Texas Department of State Health Services holds all Texas death records, including those from Concho County. For most people requesting Concho County records, the DSHS is the most convenient option. 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 before submitting.
Cities in Concho County
Concho County is one of the most sparsely populated counties in Texas. Paint Rock is the county seat and the only significant community. No cities in Concho County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
For death records in adjacent West Texas counties, contact these neighboring clerks.