Search Hall County Death Records

Death records for Hall County are maintained by the County Clerk in Memphis, Texas, and by the Texas Department of State Health Services. This page explains how to request certified death certificates, what they cost, who qualifies to receive them, and how to search historical records for genealogy purposes.

Hall County Clerk Office

The Hall County Clerk office is in Memphis at 512 W. Main Street. This is a small rural county office, so calling ahead before you visit is a good idea. Staff can confirm hours, let you know if the office will be closed for a local holiday, and tell you what documents to bring.

The clerk files and stores death records for events that took place within Hall County. Certified copies can be issued at the counter for in-person requests. Mail requests are also accepted. For mail, send a completed application form, a copy of your ID, the fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the address above.

Hall County is a small county with limited staff. If you are looking for a record that is not in their system, they will refer you to the DSHS state office in Austin, which holds the master index for all Texas death records since 1903.

Getting a Certified Death Certificate

You can request a certified death certificate from the Hall County Clerk or from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit. The county fee is $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. The state charges $20 for the first copy and $3 for each extra copy.

To make a request, fill out the appropriate application form. The form asks for the full name of the deceased, the date and county of death, and your contact information. You also need to state your relationship to the deceased if the record falls within the 25-year restricted period.

For in-person requests, bring a valid photo ID to the clerk's office. For mail requests, include a photocopy of your ID along with the completed form and payment. Do not mail cash. Use a check or money order made payable to Hall County Clerk.

The Texas.gov vital records portal lets you order certified death certificates online from anywhere in Texas.

Online orders are processed statewide and arrive within 7 to 14 business days.

Who Can Request Death Records

Texas restricts access to death records that are less than 25 years old. Only qualified individuals can get a certified copy during that period. Eligible requestors include the deceased's spouse, former spouse, parent, child, sibling, or a legal representative with written authorization from the family or the estate.

After 25 years, the record is public. Any person can request a copy without stating a reason. You still pay the fee and complete the application, but you do not need to document your relationship to the deceased.

Informational copies are available to a wider set of people during the restricted window. These show the same data as certified copies but cannot be used for legal proceedings, benefits claims, or estate matters. Make sure you know which type you need before you request.

Check the DSHS acceptable ID list before submitting your request. A Texas driver's license, U.S. passport, or current military ID are all valid. The state does not accept expired documents.

Fees and Payment

At the county clerk, you pay $21 for the first certified death certificate and $4 per copy for any additional copies ordered at the same time. These fees apply to all Texas counties and are set by state statute.

At DSHS, the fee is $20 for the first certified copy and $3 for each extra copy. If the state searches but cannot find the record, a $25 non-refundable search fee applies. This fee covers the cost of the search itself, not the certificate. Plan accordingly if you are searching for a record from the early 1900s that may not be in the digital index.

The county clerk accepts cash, check, and money order. Call ahead at (806) 259-2638 to ask about credit card acceptance. Mail requests require a check or money order. The state and VitalChek accept credit cards online.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 governs all vital records in the state. The law requires that deaths be registered with the state within a short period after they occur. The county clerk serves as the local registrar and is responsible for receiving and forwarding filings to DSHS.

When a person dies, the attending physician or the medical examiner certifies the cause. The funeral director then completes the registration paperwork and files the death certificate with the local registrar. Electronic filing through TxEVER is now standard for most facilities.

For deaths that occur under unusual or violent circumstances, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49 applies. The justice of the peace or a medical examiner investigates and certifies cause of death in those cases. Records may be delayed if the case is still under investigation.

The Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 181 covers the regulatory details for vital statistics. It defines who is responsible for filing, timelines, and what information must appear on a death certificate.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Statewide death registration in Texas began in 1903. Records before that date are not in the DSHS system, but some earlier documentation exists in church registers, cemetery records, and probate files held at the county level or in local archives. Compliance with state registration was low in the early years, especially in rural areas like Hall County.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin holds historical vital records collections, including microfilmed indexes of early death registrations. Researchers can visit in person or check the TSLAC online catalog to see what is available for Hall County.

FamilySearch has digitized Texas death records from 1903 onward. Their Texas Death Certificates collection is free to search and browse. Images of the original certificates are available for most years. This is often the fastest way to find a death record for a family member who died decades ago.

Ancestry.com carries the Texas Death Certificates index from 1903 to 1982. A paid subscription is needed to view the full record images, but searching the index is sometimes free. Ancestry also has linked data from census records and family trees, which can help with broader genealogical research.

Local cemeteries in the Memphis area and county historical society records may also help fill gaps. Many rural Texas counties have active genealogical societies that index cemetery records and collect obituary files from local newspapers.

State-Level Death Record Requests

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit processes all state-level death record requests. They hold the central index for all deaths registered in Texas since 1903. Contact them when the county cannot find a record or when you need a certified copy for an event from many decades ago.

Mail requests to: Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Walk-in service is available at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756. The general information line is (888) 963-7111.

Online orders can be placed through Texas.gov or VitalChek. Both charge a convenience fee on top of the state record fee. Online orders typically take 7 to 14 business days. VitalChek offers rush processing for an extra charge.

The DSHS death records page has current instructions, fee schedules, and downloadable forms. Always use the current form version. Older versions may be rejected, which delays your request.

Cities in Hall County

Memphis is the county seat of Hall County and the largest community in the area. Other small towns in the county include Lakeview, Turkey, and Estelline. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All death records for events in Hall County are filed through the clerk's office in Memphis.

Nearby Counties

Childress County, Cottle County, Briscoe County, Collingsworth County, Donley County